It's a new season but the same mentality for No. 16 Iowa State and coach T.J. Otzelberger.

Make defense the priority, Otzelberger said, and success will follow.

Iowa State will get a chance to show off its tenacity on defense when it opens the season against Fairleigh Dickinson on Monday night in Ames, Iowa.

The Cyclones are coming off a 25-10 season that ended with a second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. Otzelberger is looking to build upon last season as it braces for another tough year of competition in the Big 12 Conference.

"I think defensively, that's been our identity, that will continue to be our identity," Otzelberger said. "I think all successful teams have an identity on the defensive end. For us, establishing that right away is going to be important.

"Offensively, it w

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