Northern Illinois University announced its 2026‑27 women's basketball non‑conference schedule, a 12‑game slate that mixes home‑court continuity with a series of new challenges for the Huskies.
Opening the season at home
The season will open on November 2 with a home game against Indiana State, marking the fourth straight year the two programs have met and building on a 86‑79 victory the Huskies recorded in 2022.
That series has become a staple of the early schedule, offering both teams a chance to fine‑tune strategies before conference play begins.
Following the opener, the team will hit the road for in‑state tests at Bradley on November 6 and at DePaul on November 11, giving the Huskies early opportunities to gauge their progress against familiar Mid‑America foes.
A week later, on November 17, Northern Illinois will host SIUE, a game that also serves as a showcase for Head Coach Jacey Brooks, who recorded her first win at the helm in 2023 with a 49‑30 shutout of the Cougars — the lowest points allowed by the program in Division I history.
Back to the Big Ten
The Huskies will travel to Evanston on November 21 to face Northwestern, marking the first meeting between the programs since 2010 and underscoring the team's renewed ambition to compete with Big Ten opponents.
November will close with a home game against Roosevelt on November 24, after which the Huskies will head to Miami for FIU's Thanksgiving Tournament on November 27 and 29, adding a national flavor to their early schedule.
December showdowns
December brings a compact stretch of four contests, including the first ever matchup against Omaha, a game against Western Illinois, a showdown with UIC, and a final regular‑season test at Iowa on December 20, the first time since the 2010‑11 season that the Huskies will face multiple Big Ten teams in a single non‑conference window.
Season tickets for the 2026‑27 campaign are available starting at $35 for general admission, making the experience accessible to fans while the program prepares for its inaugural season of Horizon League competition, with the full conference schedule to be released later.