Iowa, Iowa State square off tomorrow night in Ames

Few sporting events attract more attention than Iowa vs. Iowa State men's basketball in this provincial state. The coaches know it, the players embrace it and the fans look forward to it.

Entering tomorrow night's game at Ames, both teams are sliding from different angles and the scrutiny is ice thick. But it's still the premier basketball rivalry in the state, according to players like Iowa sophomore Matt Gatens.

“It's Iowa State,” Gatens said. “Growing up in this state, it's Iowa-Iowa State. UNI has done a great job and Drake, but it's a great rivalry. We're looking forward to it, we're excited, it's going to be a great environment.”

The rivalry used to pit NCAA tournament qualifiers with a pre-conference test. In the last 25 years, Iowa has fielded 14 NCAA tournament teams and Iowa State 12. Both had teams within striking distance of a Final Four during that span.

But the success has faded in recent years. Each team has missed the NCAA tournament the last three seasons. With Tuesday's loss at Northern, Iowa tied a school record for consecutive road losses with 12. The last time Iowa started 3-6 was in 1958. Another loss would not only extend the dubious mark for road losses, but Iowa would have its worst 10-game start since the 1939-40 season.

Iowa State has limped through three consecutive losing seasons for the first time since ending five straight in 1983. The Cyclones won their first six games, then lost three in a row.

“It's been a tough week for us, and there's no way to spin it and make it sound better than it was,” Iowa State Coach Greg McDermott said.

Both teams have major concerns. McDermott wants the team to improve its defense, especially after an 82-63 loss Saturday at California. Iowa State shot a season-worst 35.5 percent from the field in that game.

“We're not very proficient, and our movement has been lackluster,” McDermott said.

Iowa has its own problems. The Hawkeyes struggled in transition in a 67-50 loss to Northern Iowa. UNI outscored Iowa 31-3 in points off turnovers. Coach Todd Lickliter will miss his third straight game after surgery last Saturday.

“I think that just Iowa State is motivation enough,” Iowa sophomore Anthony Tucker said. “Regardless of whether or not we won or lost (against UNI), we're still going to come out ready to play (tonight).”