Basketball teams ready for start of regular season

The College basketball season shifts into high gear this weekend. Amid lofty expecations, the Iowa State women open on the road tomorrow night when they visit Creighton. The Cyclones are ranked seventh in the pre-season coaches poll and coach Bill Fennelly says his team is anxious to get started.Many times coaches shy away from high expectations but Fennelly says it is the type of thing he was hoping for when he took the job.The Drake women open their season tomorrow night when they visit Kansas State. Bulldog coach Lisa Bluder says the Wildcats are stronger and better than last year. Drake is the pre-season Missouri Valley favorite and plays a demanding non-conference schedule. Bluder says it will help her team only if they manage to win some of those games.