Iowa Women's Basketball Announces High‑Profile Non‑Conference Slate
The Hawkeyes will open the 2026‑27 campaign with a much‑anticipated showdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores on November 15, 2026, at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. The matchup pits two programs that each reached the second week of the NCAA tournament last season, promising a early‑season test of elite talent.
Iowa finished the previous year with a 27‑7 record, capturing a share of the Big Ten regular‑season title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament before falling to a top seed.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, posted a 29‑5 mark and reached the Sweet 16, showcasing a deep roster that blended veteran leadership with freshmen dynamism.
A Home‑and‑Home Series with UConn
The following season, Iowa will host UConn at Carver‑Hawkeye Arena as part of a scheduled home‑and‑home series, while the Huskies will travel to Connecticut for a non‑conference clash during the 2026‑27 year. Both games are expected to draw national attention and add another layer of excitement to the early schedule.
Coaches and analysts alike note that these matchups will serve as crucial benchmarks as the teams fine‑tune strategies ahead of conference play, while fans relish the prospect of seeing top‑ranked talent on display.
The upcoming schedule underscores Iowa's commitment to strengthening its non‑conference slate, reflecting a broader trend among power‑house programs to schedule marquee opponents early in the season.