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(AP) -- For decades, Northern Iowa and Drake were guaranteed at least one home and one road game a year against a Big Ten and Big 12 team.

Those matchups with Iowa and Iowa State have been reduced to a single game on a neutral floor in Iowa's state capital.

The Hawkeyes (8-2) will face Northern Iowa (6-3) for the 43rd time in the opener of the Big Four Classic doubleheader Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena.

The Cyclones (7-3) will play Drake for the 172nd time, but for the first time on a neutral floor.

Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg says the new setup works for basketball fans in Iowa.

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