IOWA CITY – Greg Lansing grew up in southwest Iowa, coached high school basketball in Des Moines, and worked under Steve Alford for 7 years at Iowa.

As Indiana State’s head coach, Lansing returns to his native state at least twice a year to coach against Missouri Valley Conference foes Drake and Northern Iowa. But this trip is different for Lansing. He’s taking the Sycamores (18-14) to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the first time as an opposing coach, and he’s got mixed emotions about his return.

“We got the email from the NIT [Sunday] night, and instantly I got a big smile on my face, and I laughed,” Lansing said. “You look back at 7 of the best years of my life. It wasn’t my choice to leave. We loved Iowa City. I’ve always been a Hawkeye fan.”