Iowa Hawkeyes unveil 2026‑27 non‑conference slate
Iowa’s women’s basketball program has released its 2026‑27 non‑conference schedule, a 12‑game lineup that mixes high‑profile road tests with a string of home victories. The slate was unveiled this week, highlighting three early contests against nationally ranked powerhouses and a Thanksgiving tournament slated for the Bahamas.
The Hawkeyes open the season on November 8 against No. 1 UConn, then travel to face No. 2 Vanderbilt five days later. Those two games anchor a stretch in which three of the first five opponents sit inside the top five of the latest AP poll, underscoring the ambitious nature of the schedule.
Beyond the marquee matchups, Iowa will play a series of neutral‑site contests, including two games in Nassau, Bahamas, as part of a Thanksgiving weekend tournament whose opponents are still being finalized but are expected to be competitive. The remainder of the non‑conference slate features seven home games at Carver‑Hawkeye Arena and two road trips outside the state, giving the team a balanced mix of rest and rivalry.
Coach Jan Jensen emphasized that the schedule is designed to test the team early while preserving momentum for Big Ten play. ‘We want to build confidence against the best, then bring that energy back home,’ he said, noting that the early road games will be spaced out to manage player workload.
The roster returns key contributors such as center Ava Heiden and guard Dani Carnegie, while fresh talent includes McKenna Woliczko, Amari Whiting, Journey Houston, Layla Hays, Taylor Stremlow and newcomer Chad Leistikow. Their development will be pivotal as the team looks to improve on a 27‑7 record from the previous season and a runner‑up finish in the Big Ten Women’s Tournament.
Iowa’s Big Ten campaign begins in late December, with home‑and‑home series against Nebraska and other conference foes. The conference tournament is scheduled for March 3‑7 in Las Vegas, where the Hawkeyes hope to translate their non‑conference momentum into a deep postseason run.