Big 4 basketball capsules for the week of Jan. 16, 2017
Men's Basketball
Iowa Hawkeyes
Thursday: vs. Maryland, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Outlook: The Hawkeyes await 16-2 Maryland on Thursday. Melo Trimble leads the Terrapins with 15.4 points per game.
Iowa State Cyclones
Monday: vs. Kansas, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday: at Oklahoma, 1 p.m. (ESPN2)
Outlook: Iowa State (11-5) hosts Kansas and travels to Oklahoma after falling to TCU on Jan. 14. Kansas (16-1) hasn't dropped a game since Nov. 11, led by Frank Mason III with 20.5 points per game. Four Jayhawks average double figures in scoring. Oklahoma is 7-9 on the year, and Jordan Woodard leads the way with 16.6 points per game.
Northern Iowa Panthers
Wednesday: vs. Loyola, 7 p.m.
Saturday: at Southern Illinois, 7 p.m.
Outlook: The Panthers have struggled against Missouri Valley Conference opponents and will look to turn things around against Loyola and Southern Illinois this week. Loyola beat UNI 77-66 on Jan. 4. Milton Doyle paces the Wolves with 15.9 points per game. Southern Illinois is 11-8 on the year and 4-2 in conference play.
Drake Bulldogs
Wednesday: vs. Southern Illinois, 7 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Illinois State, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Southern Illinois is 11-8 on the year and 4-2 in conference play. Armon Fletcher and Mike Rodriguez lead the team with 13.3 points per game apiece. Illinois State is 14-4 on the year and 6-0 in MVC play. MiKyle McIntosh and Deontae Hawkins lead the Redbirds with 14.6 and 14.5 points per game, respectively.
Women's Basketball
Iowa Hawkeyes
Tuesday: at Rutgers, 6 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Minnesota, 2 p.m.
Outlook: The Hawkeyes (11-7) face 6-13 Rutgers first this week. The Scarlet Knights are led by Shrita Parker and Kandiss Barber with 10.8 and 10 points per game, respectively. Carlie Wagner paces the Minnesota offense with 18.2 points per game.
Iowa State Cyclones
Wednesday: at Baylor, 7 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Kansas State, 5 p.m.
Outlook: Five Baylor players average double figures in scoring, led by Alexis Jones with 15.8 points per game. Kansas State is 14-4 on the year. Breanna Lewis leads the way for the Wildcats with 14.5 points per game.
Northern Iowa Panthers
Friday: vs. Indiana State, 7 p.m.
Sunday: vs. Loyola, 2 p.m.
Outlook: The UNI women are off to a strong start in MVC play and will look to keep it going against Indiana State and Loyola this week. The Sycamores are 10-6 on the year and 4-1 in the Valley, led by Ashley Taia with 13.8 points per game. Loyola is 2-14 on the season and has won just one conference game against Illinois State on Jan. 6.
Drake Bulldogs
Friday: vs. Loyola, 7 p.m.
Sunday: vs. Indiana State, 2 p.m.
Outlook: Loyola is 2-14 this year. Katie Salmon leads the Wolves with 9.6 points per game. Ashley Taia leads the Sycamores with 13.8 points per game.