Big Ten completes Iowa’s 2025-26 women’s basketball schedule

IOWA CITY — The schedule is complete. And it all starts in six weeks.

Yes. Only six weeks.

Thursday afternoon, the Big Ten released women’s and men’s basketball schedules for the 2025-26 season.

Some conference highlights, from an Iowa perspective:

* The Big Ten season opens Dec. 6 , with a road contest against Rutgers.

* Iowa’s West Coast trip will be to Los Angeles. The Hawkeyes tangle USC on Jan. 29, then face likely preseason favorite (and possible national preseason No. 1) UCLA on Feb. 1.

* The Hawkeyes’ lone double-play is Nebraska. Iowa will host the Huskers on New Year’s Day, and will travel to Lincoln on Feb. 16.

* In addition to Nebraska, Iowa’s most attractive home dates are against Michigan State (Jan. 18), Ohio State (Jan. 25) and Michigan (Feb. 22). Both Michigan teams are potential preseason top-20 candidates.

* Former Hawkeye guard Aaliyah Guyton returns to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Feb. 26, when Illinois visits.

* Drivable road trips, in addition to Nebraska, are at Northwestern (Jan. 5), Indiana (Jan. 11), Purdue (Feb. 19) and Wisconsin (March 1), the regular-season finale.

The season opens with an exhibition encounter with Ashland on Oct. 30 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Southern University visits in the first official game, Nov. 3.

Iowa is coming off a 23-11 season, finishing 10-8 in league play and tying for eighth place. The Hawkeyes advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Three starters are back for Coach Jan Jensen’s second season — senior Hannah Stuelke, Taylor McCabe and Kylie Feuerbach. Other key returners include sophomores Ava Heiden and Taylor Stremlow.

Newcomers are freshmen Addie Deal, Layla Hays and Journey Houston, along with transfers Chit-Chat Wright and Emely Rodriguez.

Iowa women’s basketball schedule: 2025-26

Thu., Oct. 30 — Ashland, exhibition (H), time TBA

Mon., Nov. 3 — Southern University (H), time TBA

Sun., Nov. 9 — Evansville (H), time TBA

Thu., Nov. 13 — Drake (H), time TBA

Sun., Nov. 16 — at Northern Iowa, 2 p.m.

Thu., Nov. 20 — vs. Baylor (at Orlando, Fla.), 8 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 22 — vs. Miami, Fla. (at Orlando, Fla.), 7 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 26 — Western Illinois (H), time TBA

Sun., Nov. 30 — vs. Fairfield (H), time TBA

Sun, Dec. 6 — at Rutgers* (time TBA)

Wed., Dec. 10 — at Iowa State, time TBA

Sat., Dec. 13 — vs. Lindenwood (H), time TBA

Sat., Dec. 20 — Connecticut (at Brooklyn, N.Y.), noon

Sun, Dec. 28 — Penn State* (H), time TBA

Thu., Jan. 1 — Nebraska* (H), time TBA

Mon., Jan 5 — at Northwestern* (time TBA)

Sun., Jan. 11 — at Indiana* (time TBA)

Thu., Jan. 15 — Oregon* (H), time TBA

Sun., Jan. 18 — Michigan State* (H), time TBA

Thu., Jan. 22 — at Maryland* (time TBA)

Sun., Jan. 25 — Ohio State* (H), time TBA

Thu., Jan. 29 — at USC*, time TBA

Sun., Feb. 1 — at UCLA*, time TBA

Thu., Feb. 5 — Minnesota* (H), time TBA

Wed., Feb. 11 — Washington* (H), time TBA

Mon., Feb. 16 — at Nebraska*, time TBA

Thu., Feb. 19 — at Purdue* (time TBA)

Sun., Feb. 22 — Michigan* (H), time TBA

Thu., Feb. 26 — Illinois* (H), time TBA

Sun., March 1 — at Wisconsin* (time TBA)

March 4-8 — Big Ten tournament, at Indianapolis

* Big Ten game

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com