The 21st ranked Iowa Hawkeye women host Drake Thursday night in the 57th meeting in the series. The Hawkeyes will have a significant size advantage along the front line with center Ava Heiden and power forward Hannah Stuelke.

That’s Iowa coach Jan Jensen who says Drake’s smaller lineup can be difficult to guard.

Jensen says the Drake games always carry some added emotion as she goes up against the school she starred for and served as an assistant coach.

While the Big Four series is a thing of the past for men’s basketball it remains a part of women’s basketball in the state. Drake coach Allison Pohlman.

Iowa will have the size advantage and the Bulldogs will counter with a versatile lineup.

The Bulldogs are 1-1 and Pohlman says playing in sold out Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be a challenge for a team that features three sophomores and a freshman in the rotation.

The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series 31-25.