IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa Athletics Department conducted 579 COVID-19 PCR tests for the week of Nov. 16-22, 2020. Four positive tests and 575 negative tests have been received. As part of the return to campus protocol, testing began May 29, 2020, and includes student-athletes, coaches and staff. A total of 317 positive tests, 9,892 negative tests and one inconclusive test have been received.

The Big Ten Conference began daily rapid antigen surveillance testing on Sep. 30, 2020. Any positive tests identified through the surveillance testing process would be confirmed through a PCR test and reflected in the numbers listed above.

Following the positive test result, protocol established by UI Athletics and medical staff, including contact tracing procedures, is being followed to ensure the safety of all UI Athletics student-athletes and staff. This mandatory protocol also includes isolation for the individuals who test positive, and quarantine for those individuals who might have been exposed to someone with the virus.

(Radio Iowa) – A schedule change at the Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls means the UNI men will have a new opponent for Wednesday’s opening round. The Panthers will now play Western Kentucky after being originally scheduled to play West Virginia. The Panthers have three starters back from a team that won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title but several young players will be counted on for significant minutes.

That’s UNI coach Ben Jacobson, who says the young players will be counted on to provide depth.

(Radio Iowa) – Drake is motivated by low expectations as they get set to open the season Wednesday afternoon at Kansas State. The Bulldogs are picked to finish in the lower half of the Missouri Valley Conference and one of the reasons is the loss of center Liam Robbins. The Davenport native transferred to Minnesota after a sophomore season in which he averaged more than 14 points and seven rebounds in being named All-Valley.

That’s Drake coach Darian DeVries who feels the Bulldogs have become an established program. They posted 24 wins and 20 wins in his first two years as coach.

DeVries says playing K-State is a great way to open the season.

Junior guard D.J. Wilkins says the Bulldogs hope to prove the pre-season polls wrong.

(Radio Iowa) – UNI senior point guard Karli Rucker says a regular practice routine has helped the Panthers as they approach the new season. The Panthers open on Wednesday night at Iowa.

The Panthers return their top five scorers from a team that finished 18-11 and Rucker says a standout recruiting class will add depth.

Rucker led the Panthers in scoring last season and is looking to improve in all phases,

(Radio Iowa) – Big things are expected from junior center Monica Czinano for a young Iowa women’s basketball team this season. Czinano finished second in the nation in field goal percentage last season at 68 percent in being named All-Big Ten. She spent the off season trying to improve her foot work and rebounding.

Czinano spent much of last season plagued by foul trouble and she is hoping to limit that this season.

The addition of six-three freshman Sharon Goodman will provide more depth in the post this season when foul trouble occurs.

The Hawkeyes open at home on Wednesday night against Northern Iowa.