A Milestone for Women’s College Basketball
The University of Connecticut and the University of Iowa have confirmed a home‑and‑home series that will kick off in the 2026‑27 season, with the first meeting scheduled for November 8, 2026 in Storrs, Connecticut.
Their last encounter came in the 2024 NCAA Final Four, where Iowa edged UConn 71‑69 in a thriller that featured a combined 38 points from Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.
Both squads are set to return key talent. For UConn, Sarah Strong will be back alongside Paige Bueckers, while Iowa will rely on the breakout performances of Ava Heiden and the veteran presence of KK Arnold.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma and Iowa’s Lisa Bluder will once again guide their teams, with both bench bosses emphasizing the importance of non‑conference matchups to sharpen their squads before conference play.
The series also slots UConn into a demanding non‑conference slate that includes games against South Carolina, Duke, Michigan and Maryland, while Iowa will test itself against Virginia and other powerhouses.
Fans can expect a high‑stakes atmosphere as the two programs, each with storied histories and recent successes, vie for early momentum heading into the next season.