Big Four Classic coming to an end after 2018

Dec 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15) goes to the basket as Drake Bulldogs guard Graham Woodward (3) defends during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Big Four Classic is dead — or at least it will be after the 2018 edition.

The University of Iowa announced in a press release on Thursday that has exercised its option to back out of the annual doubleheader between the state’s major universities due to the Big 10 moving to 20 conference games in 2019.

Iowa State, who will face Drake in the final edition of the Big Four Classic at Wells Fargo Arena this winter, is 5-1 all-time in the event which began in 2012. The Cyclones won last year’s matchup with Northern Iowa 76-65 in front of 13,828 fans, the second lowest attendance in the event’s history.

The future of Iowa State scheduling games against Northern Iowa and Drake is currently unclear and will depend largely on each institution’s willingness to play in Hilton Coliseum, according to Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard.

Stay tuned to Cyclone Fanatic for more on this story.