Iowa hosts Drake on Saturday in a Big Four basketball matchup. The Hawkeyes are 3-7 and coach Todd Lickliter returns to the bench after missing the last three following surgery. The Bulldogs are 5-5 after winning their own invitational last weekend. Lickliter says Drake seems to have found their rythm as the young players have come on.
Lickliter says the Bulldogs cause a number of concerns,a s they are excellent in transition and have great range. He says the can also drive the ball and get to the free throw line.
Drake coach Mark Phelps expects a hard fought game. Phelps says all the in-state games are “very passionate” and his team will be excited to play as will Iowa. Phelps says the outcome will be decided by defense. He says the team that can get their offense going will have the advantage. Phelps says his team is not very strong defensively right now and he says the three point shooting will likely have a big impact on the outcome.
Drake has won the last three games in the series.