Washington Women’s Basketball Schedule: Why This Season Is Different

Washington Women’s Basketball Schedule: Why This Season Is Different

Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to Montlake lately, you’re missing the boat. The energy around the women’s uw basketball schedule this year feels electric, and it’s not just because they’re finally settled into the Big Ten.

It’s about survival.

Tina Langley has built something that actually looks like a perennial contender. We’re talking about a team that isn’t just happy to be there anymore. After a solid 12-4 start to the 2025-26 season, the Huskies are staring down a gauntlet of a schedule that would make most coaches sweat.

The schedule isn't just a list of dates. It's a roadmap of how this program intends to return to the national elite.

The Remaining 2026 Big Ten Grind

You’ve got to look at the stretch ahead. It is brutal.

The Huskies are coming off a wild road trip where they absolutely dismantled Indiana in Bloomington (82-63), which, let's be real, is never an easy place to play. But the comfort of home is short-lived.

Here is what the immediate future looks like for the Dawgs:

  • January 18 vs. Minnesota: This is the Dubs Club Game. It’s at 3:00 p.m. PT in Alaska Airlines Arena. Minnesota is scrappy this year, and UW can't afford a "look-ahead" loss here.
  • January 21 vs. Penn State: The "Black Out" game. If you're going, wear the gear. It tips at 6:00 p.m. PT.
  • January 25 at Rutgers: This is actually a milestone. It’s the first time the Husky program has ever traveled to Piscataway. 11:00 a.m. PT start—hope the team likes early flights.
  • January 28 at #7 Maryland: This is the big one. Maryland is a powerhouse, and playing them in College Park is a different kind of challenge.

February: The Month That Makes or Breaks You

If they survive January, February is basically a 28-day stress test.

The women’s uw basketball schedule in February is heavy on home games, which is a blessing because the road in the Big Ten is unforgiving. You’ve got Illinois coming to town on February 1st, followed by a massive showdown with Ohio State on February 5th.

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The rivalry game? That’s February 15th. Oregon comes to Seattle for a Sunday night clash at 8:00 p.m. PT. There is nothing quite like a Sunday night game against the Ducks to get the blood pumping.

Then it’s a quick turnaround:

  1. A flight to UCLA on February 19th.
  2. The final home game against Nebraska on February 22nd.
  3. Ending the regular season in Eugene on March 1st.

Ending the year with a home-and-home (essentially) against Oregon? That’s peak scheduling.

The Stars Powering the Schedule

You can't talk about the wins without talking about Sayvia Sellers. She is playing out of her mind.

Sellers is averaging 18.6 points per game. She dropped 30 on Utah earlier this season in Salt Lake City. That’s not just "good for a junior"—that's "First Team All-Conference" level production. When she’s on, the Huskies can beat anyone in the country.

But it’s not a one-woman show.

Avery Howell, the sophomore transfer from USC, has been a revelation. She’s pulling down nearly 8 rebounds a game and scoring 13.8. Her presence gives the Huskies a physical edge they’ve lacked in previous years.

Then you have the freshman, Brynn McGaughy. She’s the highest-rated recruit in program history. While she’s still finding her footing at 8 points per game, her 6-foot-3 frame changes how teams have to defend the paint.

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Why the Big Ten Transition Matters

Let’s be blunt: the Pac-12 was great, but the Big Ten is a different animal.

The travel is the obvious part. Flying to Rutgers and Maryland in the same week is a logistical nightmare. But the style of play is the real shift. It’s more physical. It’s more "bruiser" basketball.

Washington has adapted by getting taller.

Look at the roster. Yulia Grabovskaia is 6-foot-5. Olivia Anderson is 6-foot-6. Tina Langley isn't trying to out-finesse people anymore; she’s trying to wall them off. It’s working. The Huskies are only giving up about 54 points per game. That’s 20th in the nation.

Defense travels. That’s why the women’s uw basketball schedule feels winnable, even the tough road games in the Midwest.

Common Misconceptions About This Team

A lot of people think Washington is still a "middle of the pack" team.

The standings might say they are 2-3 in conference play right now, but look at the losses. A 9-point loss to a ranked USC team on the road. A 5-point loss to Stanford. These aren't blowouts. They are "one or two plays away" games.

Also, don't sleep on the bench.

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Elle Ladine is a senior who knows exactly where to be on the floor. She's chipping in nearly 10 points a game and acts as the stabilizing force when the freshmen get a little too frantic.

How to Follow the Action

If you’re trying to catch these games, most of them are on B1G+.

It’s kind of a pain to have another subscription, but it’s basically mandatory if you want to see the non-televised conference games. The bigger matchups, like the Maryland and Ohio State games, usually flex onto the Big Ten Network or FS1.

Check the local listings about 48 hours before tip-off. Times change. Networks change. That’s just modern college sports.

Practical Steps for Husky Fans

If you're planning to support the team through the rest of the women’s uw basketball schedule, here's what you should actually do:

  1. Get to the Arena Early: For games like the "Purple Out" or the "Black Out," the atmosphere in Alaska Airlines Arena is worth the price of admission.
  2. Watch the Standings: The Big Ten Tournament starts March 4th in Indianapolis. Every win right now is about seeding. Avoiding the early Wednesday games in Indy is huge for rest.
  3. Follow the Transfers: Keep an eye on Avery Howell. Her performance against her former team (USC) on February 19th is going to be a major storyline.
  4. Check the Weather: If you're traveling to the Rutgers or Maryland games, January in the Northeast is no joke. Pack the heavy coat.

The Huskies have the talent. They have the coaching. Now they just have to survive the most grueling schedule they’ve faced in a decade. It’s going to be a fun ride to March.

Go Dawgs.