The Iowa women's basketball team will open its 2026‑27 campaign with a road trip that pits it against two top‑15 programs in quick succession. On November 8 the Hawkeyes travel to face the University of Connecticut, followed by a November 15 showdown at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City against Vanderbilt.
A Test of Depth
Both opponents arrive with strong recruiting classes and recent transfers from Georgia, adding depth to already deep rosters. The matchups are part of a non‑conference slate that could reach twelve games before the team returns to its regular Big Ten schedule of eighteen conference dates.
Iowa comes off a 27‑7 season that saw it capture a share of the Big Ten title and earn a high national seed. Coach Jan Jensen says the early tests are designed to sharpen the squad before conference play, and the experience of returning starters such as senior guard Dani Carnegie will be crucial.
Veteran reporter Chad Leistikow notes that the Hawkeyes have a passionate fan base in northwest Iowa, and the Sioux City venue, with a capacity near 10,000, is expected to be packed. The game will be played the day after the Iowa football team hosts Purdue at Kinnick Stadium, creating a busy sports weekend for the university.
Looking Ahead
The schedule remains fluid beyond the two confirmed games, but athletic director Dani Carnegie says the administration is committed to providing a challenging non‑conference lineup that will test the team’s depth and prepare it for the rigors of Big Ten play.
Coach Jan Jensen and her staff are focused on integrating transfers while preserving the defensive identity that defined the previous season.