Both teams won their first NIT games setting up a meeting of Iowa and Iowa State for the second time this season tomorrow night in Ames. Iowa coach Steve Alford says it’s great to be still playing, no matter who the opponent is. Iowa turned right around from the Big Ten tournament last weekend to play on Monday, and Alford says the whole NIT setup has been something new. He says he’s been confused by the whole setup. Alford didn’t know that the game Monday against Valpraiso was a play-in game. The Cyclones won the regular season meeting 73-69 in Iowa City in December. Alford says avenging that loss is not needed as motivation for this game, as anytime Iowa and Iowa State meet, it’s a hard fought game. The game starts at seven tomorrow night at Hilton Coliseum.
