IOWA CITY — The Iowa Hawkeyes' women's basketball schedule for the 2026-27 season is finalized, with the Big Ten releasing its composite schedule on Wednesday. Iowa will kick off league play at home against Nebraska on December 5, and will also face Nebraska in a second match on February 4 in Lincoln.
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The Hawkeyes are viewed as strong contenders for the Big Ten title, alongside Michigan and USC. Iowa is set to play Michigan on February 7 in Ann Arbor, followed by a matchup against USC on February 11 at home. USC will feature JuJu Watkins, a candidate for national player of the year, who missed the previous season due to a torn ACL. Additionally, reigning NCAA champion UCLA will visit Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 14.
Notable games also include a trip to the Pacific Northwest to face Oregon on January 24 and Washington on January 27. The Hawkeyes will host Wisconsin, which recently acquired former Iowa players Addie Deal and Teagan Mallegni, on January 31. Brenda Frese, a Cedar Rapids native, will return to Iowa when Maryland plays at Carver on February 25.
Iowa's road games include a trip to Illinois on December 29 and another to Minnesota on January 9. The Big Ten tournament is scheduled for March 3-7 in Las Vegas.
Last season, Iowa finished with a record of 27-7, tying for second in the Big Ten with a 13-5 conference record. The Hawkeyes were finalists in the Big Ten tournament and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament where they lost a double-overtime game to Virginia. Three starters will return, including all-Big Ten selection Ava Heiden, along with Chit-Chat Wright and Taylor Stremlow. New additions to the team include transfer Dani Carnegie from Georgia and freshman McKenna Woliczko.