Let’s be real for a second. Life after the Caitlin Clark era was always going to feel a little bit weird in Iowa City. But if you’ve been paying attention to Carver-Hawkeye Arena lately, you know the energy hasn't dipped as much as the national media predicted. People are still packing the stands, and honestly, the 2025-26 season has been a wild ride of its own.
Whether you're a die-hard who never misses a tip-off or someone just trying to figure out when to tune into BTN, keeping track of the hawkeye girls basketball schedule is basically a full-time job this year. Between the coast-to-coast Big Ten travel and some heavy-hitting non-conference matchups, there's a lot to digest.
The Post-December Pivot
By the time January rolls around, the non-conference "fluff" is long gone. We saw this team take on some absolute giants early on—like that December 20th showdown against UConn on FOX. That was a measuring stick game if there ever was one. Jan Jensen, in her second year at the helm, has really leaned into a faster, more balanced offensive attack.
It's not just about one person anymore. You’ve got Hannah Stuelke tearing up the paint and Lucy Olsen handling the rock like a pro. If you missed the early wins against Southern or the tight battle in the Cy-Hawk series against Iowa State on December 10th, you’ve missed the foundation of what this team is trying to build.
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Hawkeye Girls Basketball Schedule: The Big Ten Gauntlet
The Big Ten looks different now. It’s not just the Midwest anymore; it’s a national marathon. The January and February stretch is where the season is won or lost, and the travel schedule for these athletes is honestly kind of brutal.
Here is the breakdown of the major conference games remaining for the 2025-26 regular season:
- January 18: vs. Michigan State Spartans (Carver-Hawkeye Arena) – 7:00 PM CST on BTN.
- January 22: at Maryland Terrapins (XFINITY Center) – 5:00 PM CST on NBC.
- January 25: vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (Carver-Hawkeye Arena) – 1:00 PM CST on Peacock.
- January 29: at USC Trojans (Galen Center) – 8:00 PM CST on Peacock.
- February 1: at UCLA Bruins (Pauley Pavilion) – 3:00 PM CST on FOX.
- February 5: vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (Carver-Hawkeye Arena) – 6:00 PM CST on BTN.
- February 11: vs. Washington Huskies (Carver-Hawkeye Arena) – 6:30 PM CST on B1G+.
- February 16: at Nebraska Cornhuskers (Pinnacle Bank Arena) – 11:00 AM CST on FOX.
- February 19: at Purdue Boilermakers (Mackey Arena) – 6:00 PM CST on B1G+.
- February 22: vs. Michigan Wolverines (Carver-Hawkeye Arena) – 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM CST on FOX or FS1.
- February 26: vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (Carver-Hawkeye Arena) – 8:00 PM CST on BTN.
- March 1: at Wisconsin Badgers (Kohl Center) – 2:00 PM CST on B1G+.
That late January/early February trip to Los Angeles to face USC and UCLA back-to-back? That’s the definition of a "trap" week. Flying across three time zones to play top-tier talent in their own gyms is a massive test for Jensen’s roster.
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Where to Actually Watch These Games
Honestly, it’s getting harder to find games without a spreadsheet. One night you're on Big Ten Network, the next you're hunting for a Peacock login. It’s the new reality of college sports.
For the hawkeye girls basketball schedule, the heavy hitters usually land on FOX or NBC. If you see a game listed for B1G+, keep in mind that's a separate subscription from the standard Big Ten Network you get with cable. It’s sort of annoying, but that’s where some of the mid-week games against teams like Washington or Purdue end up.
If you’re a local and want to feel the floor shake, tickets for the home games at Carver-Hawkeye are basically gold. Season tickets sold out way back in October, so you’re looking at the secondary market like SeatGeek for anything left. Single-game tickets for high-profile matchups like Ohio State or Michigan usually start around $41, while some of the others might be found for closer to $20 if you're lucky.
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The February Push and Beyond
The regular season wraps up on March 1st in Madison. After that, everything shifts to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, running from March 4th through March 8th.
There's a lot of talk about "rebuilding," but this team doesn't look like it's rebuilding. They look like they're reloading. Sophomores Ava Heiden and Taylor Stremlow have stepped into huge roles, and the chemistry is noticeably different. It’s more of a "five-player-threat" system now.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to keep up without losing your mind, do these three things:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official Hawkeye Sports website and use the "Add to Calendar" feature. TV times change, and you don't want to show up at the bar for a 7 PM tip that was moved to 5 PM for NBC.
- Check the broadcast early: If it's a Peacock game, make sure your app is updated. Nothing is worse than missing the first quarter because of a password reset.
- Watch the "Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament" updates: As we hit late February, the seeding for Indianapolis changes every single night. The difference between a #4 seed (double-bye) and a #5 seed is massive for tournament longevity.
The era of 40-point logos shots might be over, but the era of winning Iowa basketball is very much alive. Stay tuned to the schedule, because the Big Ten race is going to be a photo finish this year.