DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — For decades, Northern Iowa and Drake were guaranteed at least one home and one road game a year against a Big Ten and Big 12 team.
Those matchups with Iowa and Iowa State have been reduced to a single game on a neutral floor in Iowa’s state capital.
The Hawkeyes (8-2) will face Northern Iowa (6-3) for the 43rd time in the opener of the Big Four Classic doubleheader Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena.
The Cyclones (7-3) will play Drake for the 172nd time, but for the first time on a neutral floor.
Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg says the new setup works for basketball fans in Iowa.
