It Ain’t the Big Four, but it’s Something

(St. Louis, MO) – With the Big Four Classic coming to an abrupt end, what’s next for Northern Iowa and Drake? This season the two Missouri Valley Conference teams play their final edition of the annual double header in Des Moines, but they’ll also play a twin-bill in Minneapolis.

US Bank Stadium is hosting a weekend of college basketball. The US Bank Stadium Basketball Classic will be a two-day event. On November 30 the University of St. Thomas meets Wisconsin-River Falls and Minnesota entertains Oklahoma State.

On December 1 the two Valley representatives face a pair of Summit League rivals. Drake faces North Dakota State and Northern Iowa takes on South Dakota State. Both teams will participate in the final Big Four Classic this season.

Drake Versus North Dakota State

The new look Bulldogs face North Dakota State. Coach Darian DeVries’ completely rebuilt team will face a Bison squad that finished last season with a 15-17 record. Tyson Ward returns and was last season’s leading rebounder (5.9 per game) and second on the team in scoring (11.8) and assists (2.6).

Head coach David Richman (77-51) has led NDSU to two 20-win seasons in his four as the team’s head coach.

Drake’s rebuilt roster (See ‘Looking for Quick Transition‘) is looking to build on last year’s 17-17 record. DeVries says he and UNI’s Ben Jacobson are both disappointed by the ending of the Big Four Classic.

 

 

Northern Iowa Versus South Dakota State

UNI faces Summit League champion and NCAA Tournament participant South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits feature Summit League ‘Player of the Year’ Mike Daum. The 6’9 senior averaged over 23 points and ten rebounds per game for the 28-7 squad.

The 16-16 Panthers return all-freshman team member Tywhon Pickford and all-bench team honoree Wyatt Lohaus. Both players averaged over nine points per game.

Coach Ben Jacobson told unipanthers.com that the Minnesota-based event is a great addition to their schedule.

“We are excited to be a part of the U.S. Bank Stadium Basketball Classic,” UNI head coach Ben Jacobson said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for our program to play in a unique atmosphere such as the U.S. Bank Stadium. We will also be competing against a terrific opponent which will add to what should be a great weekend.”

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