So, here we are in the middle of January 2026, and if you've been following the Iowa State girls basketball schedule, you know things just got a little... well, intense. Honestly, it’s that classic Big 12 grind where every night feels like a heavyweight fight. People keep asking if this team can sustain the momentum they built early on, especially after that massive Cy-Hawk win back in December.
The Cyclones are currently sitting in a bit of a rough patch after a five-game skid, but Hilton Coliseum is still one of the toughest places to play in the country. If you’re trying to keep track of where they’re headed next, you’ve gotta look at the remaining slate, because the road to the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City is getting narrow.
The 2025-26 Iowa State Girls Basketball Schedule Breakdown
Basically, the schedule is split into two worlds: the non-conference "feel-good" era and the Big 12 "gauntlet." The Cyclones started the year on absolute fire. They went 11-0, including a 74-69 statement win over a top-15 Iowa team. But since conference play really kicked into gear, the travel and the physical play of the new-look Big 12 have tested them.
If you’re planning your weekends around the games, here is the upcoming layout for the rest of the regular season.
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Remaining Home Games at Hilton
There is nothing quite like a "Hilton Magic" atmosphere. You can still catch several big matchups in Ames:
- Wednesday, Jan. 21: vs. Cincinnati at 6:30 PM. This is a must-win to break the current streak.
- Saturday, Jan. 24: vs. Arizona at 3:00 PM. Expect this one to be on FS1.
- Saturday, Jan. 31: vs. UCF at 2:00 PM.
- Sunday, Feb. 15: vs. Kansas State at 1:00 PM (ESPN2). The "Farmageddon" rivalry is always a sellout.
- Wednesday, Feb. 18: vs. Arizona State at 6:30 PM.
- Wednesday, Feb. 25: vs. Oklahoma State at 6:30 PM.
Crucial Road Trips
Winning on the road in this league is sorta like trying to win a marathon in hiking boots. It’s hard.
- Wednesday, Jan. 28: at Texas Tech. The Lady Raiders are currently top of the standings, so this is a huge test.
- Saturday, Feb. 7: at Utah. Salt Lake City is a long flight and a high altitude.
- Tuesday, Feb. 10: at BYU. Back-to-back mountain trips are never fun.
- Sunday, Feb. 22: at TCU. The Horned Frogs are ranked in the top 10 for a reason.
- Sunday, March 1: at Kansas State. Closing the season in Manhattan is a brutal way to finish.
Why This Schedule Is So Difficult This Year
Most people don't realize how much the Big 12 expansion changed the Iowa State girls basketball schedule. Adding teams like Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Arizona State means the travel miles have skyrocketed. We're talking about a team that used to mostly stay in the Midwest now flying to the desert and the mountains every other week.
Coach Bill Fennelly has mentioned that the recovery time between games is the biggest hurdle. When you play a physical team like West Virginia on a Sunday and then have to fly to Boulder to play Colorado on a Wednesday, the legs start to get heavy.
The Audi Crooks Factor
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about the "Big 55." Audi Crooks is averaging over 27 points a game. Teams are literally building their entire defensive schedule around stopping her. Because she’s such a focal point, the schedule becomes a game of "pick your poison" for opponents. If they double-team Audi, Addy Brown or Sydney Harris usually make them pay from the outside.
Where to Watch the Games
If you can't make it to Ames, you're probably going to be glued to a screen. The Big 12’s TV deal with ESPN and FOX is pretty comprehensive this year.
- ESPN+: This is where the majority of the "standard" games live. If it’s not on a major channel, it’s probably here.
- Linear TV (ESPN/ESPN2/FS1): The "marquee" games, like the upcoming Kansas State matchup or the Arizona game, are typically on these channels.
- Radio: If you're old school or just driving, the Cyclone Radio Network with John Walters and Eric Heft is still the gold standard.
Nuance and Reality Check
Look, honestly? The 14-5 record (as of Jan 18, 2026) looks better than the team has played lately. The five-game losing streak they are currently on—losses to Baylor, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Colorado, and Oklahoma State—has exposed some depth issues.
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While the early season was filled with 100-point blowouts against teams like Mercyhurst and Northern Illinois, the Big 12 is a different beast. The Cyclones are currently 12th in the conference standings. That’s a bit shocking for a team that was ranked in the top 10 just a month ago.
However, the "strength of schedule" (SOS) is working in their favor for NCAA Tournament seeding. They've played a top-40 schedule globally. Even with these losses, their NET ranking remains high because they aren't losing to "bad" teams; they're losing to other tournament-caliber squads.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're a die-hard Cyclone fan or just someone following the iowa state girls basketball schedule, here is what you need to do to stay ahead of the curve:
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- Check the Flex: Remember that game times, especially for the later February matchups, can sometimes shift due to TV "flex" scheduling. Always double-check the official Cyclones website 48 hours before tip-off.
- NCAA Tournament Watch: Keep an eye on the "Bracketology" updates. Even with the recent slide, Iowa State is projected as a mid-tier seed. The games against TCU and K-State in February will decide if they stay in that conversation or bubble out.
- Ticket Strategy: If you want to see the K-State game on Feb 15, buy those tickets now. "Farmageddon" in Ames is notoriously difficult to get into last-minute.
- Streaming Prep: Ensure your ESPN+ subscription is active before the Cincinnati game on Jan 21. It's a mid-week game that won't be on traditional cable.
The back half of the season is where legends are made in Ames. Whether the Cyclones can right the ship and return to their early-season dominance is the biggest question in Iowa sports right now.