Big Ten announces 2021-22 women’s basketball matchups

IOWA CITY — All of the Big Ten’s projected women’s basketball contenders will be coming to Carver-Hawkeye Arena next season.

The league released its matchups for 2021-22 on Thursday. Each team will play 18 conference games.

With all five starters back, led by sophomore All-American Caitlin Clark, Iowa is a preseason Big Ten title contender and a likely top-10 team.

Three other teams -- Maryland, Indiana and Michigan -- are potential top-15 teams, and all will visit Carver.

Iowa will play Indiana, Michigan, Northwestern, Nebraska and Minnesota twice. The Hawkeyes will host Maryland, Ohio State, Michigan State and Illinois, and will travel to Rutgers, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin.

Dates, times and TV coverage will be assigned at a later date.

The Hawkeyes went 20-10 and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament last season. They finished sixth in the Big Ten at 11-8 and reached the finals of the Big Ten tournament.

A non-conference slate has not been established, but expect the Hawkeyes to host Drake and travel to Iowa State and Northern Iowa.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com