Iowa's Lickliter would like to see Big Ten change schedule

Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter would prefer the Big Ten revert to its 16-game league schedule as opposed to its current 18-game format.

"I would," Lickliter said. "My first year here ... especially at Iowa where you play the three in-state home and home, most states don't demand that you do that. We're playing two Missouri Valley (Drake and Northern Iowa), one Big 12 (Iowa State), we play an ACC challenge ...

"I would prefer the 16 and give us some more flexibility. And as we continue to grow and improve, fans get excited, I'd like to have a couple more home games here."

Iowa dropped the Hawkeye Challenge to make room for the 18-game league schedule. Lickliter said a 16-game Big Ten schedule would allow the school to potentially bring back the weekend tournament.

"Iit would be a nice to have as far as the Challenge goes," Lickliter said. "I would not be opposed to that at all."