A Schedule Packed With Storylines
The Big 12 Conference has officially released its 2026‑27 women’s basketball schedule, setting the stage for a competitive season that begins with a series of high‑profile home‑and‑home matchups. Oklahoma State will open its conference slate against Iowa State, a series that will be played twice across the regular season, ensuring both teams meet on each other's courts.
Among the most anticipated storylines is the reunion of transfer star Audi Crooks with her former program. After spending a season at Iowa State, Crooks now returns to the Big 12 as a key addition to Oklahoma State’s roster, and the schedule guarantees she will face the Cyclones twice, adding a personal narrative to the on‑court battles.
Coach Jacie Hoyt, who has assembled one of the nation’s most acclaimed transfer classes, will rely on a group that includes Liv McGill, who was ranked second in the transfer portal, as well as Talexa Weeter, the Division II player of the year. The class also features standout talents such as Ellie Brueggemann and Nene Ndiaye, bolstering the Cowgirls’ depth heading into the new campaign.
The roster will also retain Stailee Heard as the sole holdover from the previous season, while former teammates Jayden Wooten and Lena Girardi are slated to play against their former schools, adding another layer of intrigue. Guard Yuting Deng and LA Sneed will likewise test themselves against former Big 12 opponents, underscoring the conference’s dynamic transfer landscape.
While the full slate of dates, times and venues will not be announced until later this summer, the conference has confirmed that all teams will be permitted to play a 32nd game during the 2026‑27 season, a rule change approved by the NCAA that could influence scheduling strategies across the league.