The University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball program has announced a two‑game series with the Iowa Hawkeyes that will kick off on November 8, 2026, when the Huskies host Iowa at the XL Center in Storrs. The matchup marks the first meeting between the two powerhouses in the upcoming season and sets the stage for a potential second clash in the 2027‑28 campaign, when Iowa will welcome UConn to Iowa City.
A Rivalry Steeped in History
UConn and Iowa have faced each other 11 times over the past two decades, compiling a combined record that heavily favors the Huskies at 7‑4. Their most recent encounter came in the 2024 Women’s Final Four, where Iowa edged UConn 71‑69 in a thriller that saw Caitlin Clark lead the Hawkeyes with a decisive performance. The previous meeting, a December 2025 showdown at the Women’s Champions Classic, ended 90‑64 in favor of UConn, with Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd combining for 50 points.
The history between the programs stretches back to the early 1990s, when UConn last hosted Iowa in Connecticut during the 2002 NCAA Tournament. That game, a 86‑48 victory for the Huskies, featured future WNBA star Sue Bird scoring 22 points. Since then, the two schools have met twice in the NCAA Tournament within the last six years, underscoring the consistency of their competitive meetings.
Beyond the Iowa series, UConn’s 2026‑27 non‑conference slate includes contests against Michigan, South Carolina, Duke and Maryland, giving the Huskies a demanding early schedule that will test their depth and resilience. Coach Dan Hurley has emphasized that these games are designed to sharpen the team for Big East play while providing fans with marquee matchups.