You’ve been there. It’s a random Tuesday night in February, the wind is howling across the Iowa River, and you're frantically Googling the u iowa basketball schedule because you can't remember if the game is on FS1 or some obscure streaming app.
Carver-Hawkeye Arena is a mood. Honestly, it’s one of the most underrated home-court advantages in the country, but keep track of when the Hawkeyes are actually there? That's the hard part. Between the new-look Big Ten expansion and the chaotic non-conference tournaments in California or Florida, the schedule is a jigsaw puzzle.
People think they know the rhythm of the season. They don't. The 2025-26 season has been a whirlwind under new leadership. Ben McCollum took the reigns for the men's team, and Jan Jensen is officially steering the ship for the women. Things aren't just "business as usual" in Iowa City anymore.
The Men’s Schedule: Surviving the Big Ten Gauntlet
Look, the Big Ten is basically a cage match this year. With 18 teams in the conference now, you aren't playing everyone twice. That changes everything. The u iowa basketball schedule for the men's team has been a mix of brutal road trips and crucial "must-win" nights at home.
If you're looking for the big ones coming up, mark your calendar for January 17th. The Hawkeyes head to Bloomington to face Indiana. That’s a 1:00 PM CST tip-off on FOX. It’s going to be loud. It’s going to be messy.
Right after that, they finally come back home. Rutgers visits Iowa City on January 20th at 7:30 PM. Then, the West Coast comes to the Midwest. USC makes their trip to Carver-Hawkeye on January 28th. It still feels weird seeing USC on a Big Ten schedule, doesn't it?
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Key Matchups You Can't Miss
- January 17 @ Indiana: A classic slugfest at Assembly Hall.
- January 20 vs. Rutgers: A defensive nightmare where every point feels like a miracle.
- February 1 @ Oregon: The first of a tough West Coast swing.
- February 14 vs. Purdue: Valentine’s Day at Carver. The Boilermakers are always the measuring stick.
The men’s team is currently hovering around a .750 overall winning percentage, but the conference record is where the stress is. They’ve dropped a few tough ones on the road—Michigan State and Minnesota come to mind—which makes these upcoming home games against Northwestern (Feb 8) and Ohio State (Feb 25) absolutely vital for tournament seeding.
Women’s Basketball: Life After the Caitlin Clark Era
Kinda felt like the world would stop after #22 graduated, right? Wrong. Jan Jensen has this team playing a brand of basketball that is fast, fun, and somehow still packing Carver to the rafters. The u iowa basketball schedule for the women is arguably the hottest ticket in the state.
They just had a massive test against Oregon on January 15th. No rest for the weary, though. On January 18th, Michigan State comes to town for an 8:00 PM EST clash.
The real gauntlet starts late January. They head to Maryland on the 22nd—always a house of horrors for visitors—and then jump on a plane for the LA swing. They play USC on January 29th and UCLA on February 1st. If you want to see if this team has "Final Four" DNA again, that week in Los Angeles will tell us everything.
Surprising Schedule Nuggets
Did you know Iowa played on New Year's Day this year? They hosted Nebraska in Iowa City. It was the first time they’ve played a home game on New Year's since 2006. It’s those little scheduling quirks that make the Big Ten so unique.
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Also, watch out for "Super Bowl Sunday." The men’s team is hosting Northwestern on February 8th. It’s the sixth time in seven years they’ve been scheduled for the big game day. It’s basically an Iowa tradition at this point.
How to Actually Watch the Games
This is where everyone gets confused. In 2026, the broadcast rights are a total mess of cable and streaming.
- FOX and FS1: Usually the home for the "Big Games." The Indiana and Purdue matchups are almost always here.
- BTN (Big Ten Network): The bread and butter. If it's a weekday game against a team like Rutgers or Maryland, it’s likely here.
- Peacock: Yeah, you still need it. At least a few games a season are exclusive to NBC's streaming service.
- Fubo/YouTube TV: Your best bet for catching the majority of the schedule without a traditional cable box.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
Don't get too hung up on the AP Poll in January. Iowa has been "receiving votes" or hovering in the Top 25 for most of the season, but the NET rankings are what the selection committee actually cares about.
Because the Big Ten is so deep now, a "quality loss" on the road at Oregon or Washington (Feb 4) actually helps more than a blowout win against a low-major non-conference opponent. The schedule is designed to reward teams that play tough games, even if they don't win them all.
Basically, the Hawkeyes just need to protect Carver-Hawkeye Arena. If they can win 80% of their home games and steal two or three on the road, they are a lock for the Big Dance in March.
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The Road to the Big Ten Tournament
The regular season ends on March 8th for the men with a trip to Nebraska. After that, everyone heads to the United Center in Chicago from March 10-15.
For the women, the finish line is March 1st. Their tournament is in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse from March 4-8.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Time Zones: When the Hawkeyes play at Oregon or Washington, tip-off is often as late as 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM CST. Don't plan any early meetings the next morning.
- Ticket Strategy: If you're looking for cheap seats, the mid-week games against Rutgers or Northwestern are your best bet. Avoid the Purdue or Iowa State (Cy-Hawk) games unless you want to pay a premium.
- Follow the NET: Keep an eye on the NCAA NET rankings rather than the AP Poll to get a real sense of where the team stands for March Madness.
The u iowa basketball schedule isn't just a list of dates; it’s the heartbeat of Iowa City during the long winter months. Whether you're watching from the stands or your couch, keep this guide handy so you never miss a tip-off.