Iowa and UNI meet for the 39th time in Iowa City. The Panthers are 5-3 and opened the in-state series last week with an overtime loss to Iowa State. The Hawkeyes are 7-2 and face a big test according to coach Todd Lickliter.
This is the first of three consecutive in-state games for the Hawkeyes. Both teams average more than 20 three point attempts per game. Iowa leads to all-time series 31-7 and won last year’s matchup in Cedar Falls. However, the Panthers beat the Hawkeyes in their last trip to Iowa City 57-55 in 2006.
Drake visits Iowa State in the 168th meeting in the series. Iowa State is 6-1 after a home win against Oregon State while the Bulldogs are 6-2 after winning their own tournament. Drake coach Mark Phelps says the Bulldogs have a dilemma on defense, surround Cyclone center Craig Brackins or close out on the perimeter shooters.
For Phelps this will be his first game as part of the Big Four series. Phelps says there’s a tremendous amount of interest in these games in the state and he knows how important it is to the fans and players.
The Bulldogs have won the last two games in the series, including an 80-78 win two years ago in Ames.