Iowa readies for final in-state game

The Iowa Hawkeyes return to action next Tuesday when they host Drake. It will be the Hawks final non conference game before they host Northwestern in the Big Ten opener on January 5th. While it will be Steve Alford’s first venture into the Big Ten as a coach he feels having played in the league will be beneficial.The Hawkeyes have been off since Saturday’s loss at Missouri and resumed practice this afternoon. Alford says the time between semesters will give the coaches a chance to do more individual work with the players.The Hawkeyes are 5-5 and Alford says many of the problems have come from a demanding schedule that has seen the Hawks play only three home games to date.