A New Chapter in Iowa-UConn Rivalry
The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball program has locked in a home-and-home series with the UConn Huskies, a matchup that pits two of the sport's powerhouses against each other in a highly anticipated showdown.
The series will open with Iowa traveling to Storrs next season for a non‑conference battle, followed by a return trip to Carver‑Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City during the 2027‑28 campaign. This will mark the first meeting in that venue since 1999, adding a nostalgic layer to the contest.
UConn enters the series as the preseason No. 1 team according to CBS Sports, boasting a roster that returns most of the core that reached the Final Four, including Naismith Player of the Year Sarah Strong, KK Arnold, Blanca Quiñonez and Ashlynn Shade. The addition of incoming freshman Olivia Vukosa, the Gatorade Player of the Year, further deepens the Huskies' talent pool.
Iowa, ranked No. 10 by CBS Sports, is looking to rebound from a pair of missed NCAA Tournaments. The Hawkeyes will field a refreshed lineup that includes returning contributors Ava Heiden and Chazadi Wright, transfer Dani Carnegie, who topped Georgia in scoring last season, and five‑star forward McKenna Woliczko, the program's highest‑ranked recruit since Caitlin Clark.
The historical context adds intrigue: the Huskies lead the all‑time series 7‑4 and have split the last two meetings, the most recent of which came at the 2024 National Semifinal in Cleveland. That game highlighted the competitive balance between the programs and set the stage for the upcoming home‑and‑home.
Coach Jan Jensen's staff has been active in the transfer portal, securing Dani Carnegie while also integrating new talent. The series is expected to be a major test for both squads as they aim to build momentum toward strong seasons and deep tournament runs.