3 notable games from Iowa's Big Ten schedule release that fans should pay attention to

As college football ramps up, college basketball is right around the corner.

The new-look Iowa women's basketball squad has been diligently preparing all summer and has learned its schedule for the 2026-2027 season. Jan Jensen and the program have beefed up the non-conference schedule with games against UConn and Vanderbilt, among others, and we now know what the conference schedule will look like.

Jensen's third season in charge won't be easy, and three conference matchups standout.

Iowa vs. Nebraska - December 5 (Iowa City, IA)

The Hawkeyes open Big Ten Conference play with rival Nebraska after starting the previous four seasons on the road. Iowa took care of business against Nebraska last season, winning both matchups. The Cornhuskers finished the season at 19-13 (7-11 Big Ten) and were an 11-seed in the NCAA Tournament. They won their first game 75-56 against Richmond before losing in the second round to No. 6 seed Baylor.

It will be a good early test for the Hawkeyes, coming off two rivalry games against Drake (December 1) and Iowa State (December 9), and a great way to set the tone early. Knocking off the rival Cornhuskers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena can give Iowa momentum heading into two straight road games against Illinois and Michigan State, and while it isn't a must-win, it is an important game to start the conference slate off strongly.

Iowa at Michigan - February 7, 2027 (Ann Arbor, MI)

Michigan was a very solid team last season, but the Hawkeyes beat the Wolverines by double digits in two games. Iowa dominated No. 8 Michigan at home on senior day, winning 62-44, before bouncing them out of the Big Ten Tournament in March. The Wolverines will be formidable again this season and could easily rank in the top-25, making this game must-see TV.

The Hawkeyes have undergone a slight rebuild after losing most of their 2025-2026 squad to the transfer portal and graduation, while the Wolverines return four starters, including Syla Swords. Swords is thanking her lucky stars that defensive ace Kylie Feuerbach isn't with the program anymore, and it will be interesting to see if the Hawkeyes can shut her down again.

Iowa vs. USC - February 11, 2026 + Iowa vs. USC - February 14, 2026 (Iowa City, IA)

Iowa got a rude awakening on its California road trip last season, getting absolutely dominated by eventual National Champion UCLA and USC. The Hawkeyes luckily have them both at home this season, but that won't make it any easier. UCLA is primed for another deep NCAA Tournament run, and USC has JuJu Watkins back to add alongside 2025 No. 1 overall recruit Jazzy Davidson and Iowa State transfer Addy Brown.

Both programs are poised to be near the top of the conference and nationally, and Iowa has its work cut out for it during the latter part of the season. Iowa brought in a lot of talent from the transfer portal and top 2026 recruit McKenna Woliczko, and hopefully playing in front of a packed house at Carver-Hawkeye Arena gives them an advantage. If you want to be considered the best, you have to beat the best, and Iowa has the chance to do that in mid-February 2027.

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