Big Ten releases women’s basketball schedule

IOWA CITY - Eagerly awaiting an appearance by Brenda Frese or C. Vivian Stringer at Carver-Hawkeye Arena?

Maybe next year.

The Big Ten women's basketball schedule was released Thursday, and neither conference newcomer will be coming to Iowa City.

Instead, the Hawkeyes (27-9 last season) will be making the long hike to both Rutgers and Maryland.

Rutgers is coached by Stringer, who piloted the Hawkeyes to the Final Four in 1993. A Cedar Rapids native, Frese is in charge at Maryland, a Final Four team last year while a member of the ACC.

The Hawkeyes open Big Ten play at home, Dec. 28 against Penn State.

Iowa faces an 18-game conference slate. The Hawkeyes host Indiana, Michigan, Penn State and Purdue. They travel to Illinois, Maryland, Michigan State and Rutgers.

And they play Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State and Wisconsin twice.

The regular season begins Nov. 14 at home against USC Upstate.

IOWA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE, 2014-15

(*Big Ten game)

Nov. 9 - St. Ambrose (exhibition)

Nov. 14 - USC Upstate

Nov. 16 - Robert Morris

Nov. 21-22 - Hawkeye Challenge

Nov. 25 - Northern Iowa

Nov. 28 - Arkansas (at Las Vegas)

Nov. 29 - Gonzaga (at Las Vegas)

Dec. 4 - at Louisville (ACC/Big Ten Challenge)

Dec. 7 - Colorado

Dec. 11 - Iowa State

Dec. 21 - at Drake

Dec. 28 - Penn State*

Jan. 4 - at Rutgers*

Jan. 8 - at Illinois*

Jan. 11 - Purdue*

Jan. 14 - Northwestern*

Jan. 18 - at Michigan State*

Jan. 22 - Michigan*

Jan. 26 - Nebraska*

Jan. 29 - at Northwestern*

Feb. 1 - at Maryland*

Feb. 5 - Ohio State*

Feb. 8 - at Wisconsin*

Feb. 12 - at Nebraska*

Feb. 15 - Indiana*

Feb. 17 - at Minnesota*

Feb. 21 - at Ohio State*

Feb. 26 - Wisconsin*

March 1 - Minnesota*

March 4-8 - Big Ten Tournament (at Hoffman Estates, Ill.)

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com