Full Breakdown
Iowa Women's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule for 2025-26
8/30/2025, 3:27:27 PM
Overview of the Non-Conference Schedule
The Iowa women's basketball team has announced its non-conference schedule for the 2025-26 season, featuring a total of 12 games, including an exhibition match against Ashland College on October 30, 2025. Under the leadership of head coach Jan Jensen, who led the team to a 23-11 record last season, the Hawkeyes will face a mix of opponents, including several teams that participated in postseason tournaments last year.
Key Matchups and Rankings
The non-conference slate includes five teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last season and four others that participated in the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBIT) or Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). The schedule is ranked from easiest to toughest opponents:
1. Evansville Purple Aces (November 9): Iowa leads the all-time series 3-0, with Evansville finishing last season with a 7-25 record.
2. Southern Jaguars (November 3): The Jaguars, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament after winning the SWAC Tournament, finished last season with a 21-15 record.
3. Western Illinois Leathernecks (November 26): The Leathernecks, who earned a WNIT bid last season, return key players including OVC Player of the Year candidate Raegan McCowan.
4. Lindenwood Lions (December 13): This will be the first meeting between Iowa and Lindenwood, who made their first postseason appearance last season.
5. Northern Iowa Panthers (November 16): Iowa has won five consecutive matchups against UNI, which finished last season with a 16-17 record.
6. Drake Bulldogs (November 13): Iowa has won the last seven meetings against Drake, who is in a rebuilding phase after losing their top three scorers.
7. Fairfield Stags (November 30): Fairfield has a strong recent record of 59-7 over the past two seasons and returns key players from last year’s NCAA Tournament team.
8. Miami FL Hurricanes (November 22): This matchup will be part of the WBCA Showcase, with Iowa holding a 4-0 all-time record against Miami.
9. Baylor Bears (November 20): This game could feature two ranked teams, as Baylor finished last season with a 28-8 record.
10. Iowa State Cyclones (December 10): Iowa has dominated this rivalry, winning eight of the last nine meetings.
11. Connecticut Huskies (December 20): The reigning national champions, UConn finished last season with a 37-3 record and will be a significant challenge for Iowa.
Official Statements & Responses
Jan Jensen expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming season, highlighting the competitive nature of the non-conference schedule. The inclusion of multiple NCAA Tournament teams is intended to prepare the Hawkeyes for the rigors of the Big Ten Conference.
Criticism & Opposition
Some analysts have raised concerns about the potential challenges of facing multiple strong opponents early in the season, particularly the match against Connecticut, which could set a high bar for the team's performance.
What's Next
As the season approaches, Iowa will finalize game times and television broadcast details. The team aims to build on last season's success and establish a strong foundation for the upcoming Big Ten schedule.
