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.

Iowa center Logan Jones says mental preparation will be a key as the Hawkeyes get ready to head west to play 17th ranked USC. A year ago, the Hawkeyes were lackluster in a loss at UCLA.

That’s Hawkeye center Logan Jones who says they have to be mentally prepared at kickoff.

Senior guard Beau Stephens says the Hawkeyes need to treat the trip west like any other game.

USC coach Lincoln Riley wants the Trojans to savor the spot they are in with three games remaining. At 7-2 and ranked 17th in the latest College Football Playoff Poll, USC is in the hunt heading into Saturdays game at home against 21st ranked Iowa.

Riley wants his team to enjoy being part of big games.

A concern for Riley is Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen.

The Audubon Wheelers are set to return to the UNI-Dome for a semifinal matchup for the first time since 2021. The Wheelers square off against the undefeated Bishop Garrigan Golden Bears. Head Coach Sean Birks is preparing his team for a versatile Bishop Garrigan offense.

The line of scrimmage battle will be a key factor.

It’s a business mentality for Audubon but Birks believes his team needs to cherish the opportunity as well.

The trip to the UNI-Dome isn’t just important for the football program but impactful to the entire community of Audubon.

Audubon comes into the game leading the state in total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Bishop Garrigan has scored 50+ points in all 11 games this season. You can catch all the action on KJAN with coverage beginning at 9 am with kickoff scheduled for 10 am.

The 16th ranked Iowa State women return to action Wednesday night by hosting Valparaiso. The Cyclones are 3-0 and the average margin of victory has been 48 points.

That’s junior guard Jada Williams, who says the Cyclones are looking to cut down on turnovers.

Valparaiso is 0-2 after blowout losses to DePaul and Detroit Mercy.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Hawkeyes need to take their run defense to the west coast when they play USC. A year ago, The Hawkeye defense gave up 211 yards on the ground in a loss at UCLA.

Ferentz says the approach needs to be better this week.

Poor tackling was an issue in Big Ten losses to Indiana and Oregon. That will need to be shored up against a USC team that averages just over 200 yards of rushing per game.

From a statistical standpoint the Iowa defense ranks high but in all three losses opponents have won it on the final drive of the game.

The challenge does not get any easier against a USC offense that is averaging nearly 40 points and more than 500 yards per game.

Iowa running back Kamari Moulton is confident the Hawkeyes will bounce back with a good effort. After falling to seventh ranked Oregon on a late field goal the Hawkeyes get ready to visit 17th ranked USC.

After being bottled up for 101 yards by the Oregon defense the Hawkeye offense will need a productive ground game against the Trojans.

Regular season trips out west have for the most part ended badly for the Hawkeyes, who are 1-7 all-time in regular season games in the Pacific time zone. They will become annual trips in the new Big Ten.

For the third year in a row, the Bishop Garrigan Golden Bears are back in the semi-finals and are preparing for their matchup against the Audubon Wheelers. The 11-0 Golden Bears have been dominant all season long. So far, they’ve cruised through the playoffs with a margin of victory of at least 30 points in all three of their postseason games. However, this run of success doesn’t date back far. Prior to their state championship season in 2023, the golden bears were coming off of back-to-back 3-5 seasons. Head coach Marty Wadle credits his players and coaches for the turn around that’s lead to their third straight UNI Dome appearance.

Like Audubon, the Bishop Garrigan defense has stood out. During the regular season, the Golden Bears pitched three shutouts and allowed no more than 20 points in a single game. The 21 points they gave up to Don Bosco last week was the most this season. In addition to their low points allowed total, they are adept at taking away the football. The Golden Bears defense has recorded 21 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries. Wadle says that their scheme plays a big part of their defense, but players’ preparation is the key.

Individually, the Golden Bears have lots of talent, but none stand out like Ethan Marso. Standing 6’2 and 230 pounds, he is a leader both on offense and defense. Offensively, he is the team’s leading rusher with 1,212 yards and 25 touchdowns. On defense his 44.5 tackles lead the team while his seven tackles for loss ranks second on the team. His size and athleticism mixed with drive and focus are a special combination.

For as much attention as Marso deserves, his quarterback deserves some too. Tate Foertsch has thrown for 1,121 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing over 65% of his passes. He has also run for 942 yards and 13 additional scores. Wadle says his vision and accuracy in addition to his improvements have allowed him to succeed.

Standing on the other side is one of the more formidable teams in the class. Audubon currently ranks first in total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, and all-purpose yards while ranking second in rushing yards. Wadle knows they will have to be prepared for both a physical and mobile front with special talent in the backfield.

Defensively he thinks the Wheelers will be a big challenge to handle.

Ultimately, the line of scrimmage and the turnover margin will be big keys in this contest between two elite teams.

You can catch all the action on KJAN with coverage beginning at 9 am with kickoff scheduled for 10 am.

Iowa State forced 26 turnovers and rolled to a 96-80 win over Mississippi State in Sioux Falls. The Cyclones took command with a late flurry in the opening half and led 53-35 at the break.

That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger, Nine different Cyclones scored as they move to 3-0.

Senior guard Tamin Lipsey led the way with 25 points and six assists.