A New Chapter for the Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball program is gearing up for a pivotal 2026 season after a disappointing finish to the 2025‑26 campaign, when the team fell short of the Sweet 16.
Head coach Jan Jensen has already begun shaping the roster, adding a slate of challenging opponents that includes both Big Ten rivals and high‑profile non‑conference foes.
Key Matchups to Watch
In the Big Ten, Iowa will host Indiana, Maryland, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, UCLA and USC, while traveling to face Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Washington and Oregon.
The West Coast swing, which pits the Hawkeyes against Oregon and Washington before they host UCLA and USC, is being viewed as a strategic break that could provide momentum heading into conference play.
Among the non‑conference schedule, the matchup against UConn stands out as the toughest test of the year, while games against Towson, Vanderbilt and the upcoming Thanksgiving tournament will also be closely watched.
Looking Forward
Coach Jensen emphasizes that the demanding schedule is designed to sharpen the team’s depth and resilience, qualities he believes are essential for a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
Fans can expect intense battles against Michigan and Ohio State, both of which are traditionally powerhouses in the conference, while the early-season clash with UConn will serve as a benchmark for the Hawkeyes’ progress.
With a tradition of participating in multi‑team events around Thanksgiving, Iowa is poised to continue that pattern, using the tournament as a platform to fine‑tune strategies before the grind of conference play.
The combination of a revamped roster, a challenging schedule and the experience of coach Jan Jensen creates a sense of optimism that the Hawkeyes could finally break through to the Sweet 16 and beyond.