Iowa’s women’s basketball program has locked in a home‑and‑home series with UConn, guaranteeing a trip to Storrs next season and a return visit to Carver‑Hawkeye Arena in the 2027‑28 campaign.
A Renewed Rivalry
The matchup rekindles a rivalry that has seen the Huskies hold a 7‑4 edge all time, and the two programs have split their last two meetings, the most recent being the 2024 National Semifinal in Cleveland.
Geno Auriemma’s squad enters the upcoming season as the preseason No. 1 team according to CBS Sports, bringing back a core that includes Naismith Player of the Year Sarah Strong, KK Arnold, Blanca Quiñonez and Ashlynn Shade, plus incoming freshman Olivia Vukosa, the Gatorade Player of the Year.
Iowa, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from two missed NCAA Tournaments, aiming for a second‑weekend appearance, and will field a senior‑laden roster featuring Ava Heiden, Taylor Stremlow and Chazadi Wright, while also welcoming Georgia transfer Dani Carnegie.
The Hawkeyes’ roster also includes five‑star forward McKenna Woliczko, the highest‑rated recruit since Caitlin Clark, and will be bolstered by the experience of returning contributors as they prepare to host UConn in what could become an electric night in Iowa City.
The upcoming series promises more than just a schedule filler; it offers a narrative of redemption for Iowa and a chance for UConn to extend its dominance.
Fans can expect a packed Carver‑Hawkeye Arena, a venue that has risen to national prominence in recent years, when the Huskies make their long‑awaited appearance in 2027‑28.
With both teams navigating roster turnover and the shifting landscape of college athletics, the series underscores how quickly the balance of power can shift, setting the stage for another chapter of high‑stakes competition.