Drake looks for first win against Iowa since the late 70s

Back on December ninth 1978, Jimmy Carter was midway through his term as president. That was also the last time Drake defeated Iowa in basketball. Since then, the Hawkeyes have won 23-straight games and the Bulldogs look to snap that string tonight when the teams matchup in the Knapp Center. Drake coach Kurt Kanaskie says this like all the in-state series create a lot of interest.The teams played three straight games that went to the wire before Iowa posted a 101-59 win in Iowa City last year. He says they were embarrassed by the way they played last year, but he says Iowa had a great team.This is the first of four games in a six-day stretch for the Bulldogs and Kanaskie says this game will not make or break their season.Iowa coach Steve Alford says the emotion of an instate game combined with the first road test of the season combine to make this a difficult assignment. He says they played one of their best games there last year and says the lopsided score is probably on their wall as they want to do better. Alford was pleased with the effort in Sunday night’s win and says the Hawks will need more of the same tonight. He says it’s a loud and wild environment at Drake.Alford says Kanaskie has done a good job in rebuilding the Drake program, and says he has a great deal of respect for Kanaskie as a coach, and a person.