Washington Women’s Basketball Schedule: Why This Season Is Unlike Any Other

Washington Women’s Basketball Schedule: Why This Season Is Unlike Any Other

Honestly, if you’ve been following the Huskies for a while, you know the vibe is shifting. Big time. The Washington women’s basketball schedule for the 2025-26 season isn't just another list of dates on a fridge magnet. It is the program’s second year in the Big Ten, and let’s be real, the novelty of flying to Piscataway or State College hasn’t worn off yet—it's just gotten more intense.

Coach Tina Langley has this squad moving. We are talking about a team that's building off a March Madness run and now has to navigate a gauntlet that feels more like a professional tour than a college season. You’ve got local rivalries, cross-country treks, and some of the highest-rated recruits this school has ever seen hitting the floor at Alaska Airlines Arena.

The Big Ten Gauntlet: Mapping the Washington Women’s Basketball Schedule

This isn't the Pac-12 anymore. The 18-game conference slate is a beast. The Huskies are playing a single-play format against almost everyone, meaning they only get one shot at most of these giants. The only team they’re seeing twice? The Oregon Ducks. That home-and-home is basically personal at this point.

The conference home opener was a statement win against Northwestern back on December 29, but things really ramp up in the heart of winter. January is basically "East Coast Month."

If you’re looking at the upcoming stretch, circles should be drawn around these dates. On January 18, Minnesota comes to Seattle for the Dubs Club game. Then, just three days later, Penn State rolls in for a "Black Out" game on January 21. After that, the Huskies pack their bags for a brutal road swing. They’ve got Rutgers on January 25 and a massive showdown against a top-ranked Maryland team in College Park on January 28.

February doesn't offer much of a breather. Ohio State visits on February 5 for Black Excellence Night, which is always a high-energy atmosphere. But the real emotional peak is probably February 15—the "Huskies for a Cure" Pink Game against Oregon. If you only go to one game this year, that’s the one. The energy in Hec Ed for the Ducks is just different.

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Non-Conference Foundations and Early Tests

People sometimes sleep on the November and December games. Big mistake. This year, the Washington women’s basketball schedule was front-loaded with champions.

They started with a dominant 90-43 win over Seattle U on November 3. But the real test of their grit came early. On November 15, they went into Salt Lake City and handled Utah 72-61. That’s a tough environment, and winning there proved this roster has the depth to survive the Big Ten's physical style.

They also played four straight conference champions in a row at home: Vermont, Southern, UC San Diego, and Green Bay. They swept that stretch. It wasn't always pretty—the Green Bay game on December 13 was a 79-74 nail-biter—but they found ways to close.

The Roster Making the Schedule Move

You can't talk about the schedule without talking about the people playing the minutes. Sayvia Sellers is basically the engine of this team. She’s averaging over 18 points a game and dishing out assists like she’s got eyes in the back of her head.

Then there’s the newcomer everyone is buzzing about: Avery Howell. She transferred in from USC and has been a revelation. Watching a 6-foot guard grab nearly 8 rebounds a game while shooting almost 40% from deep? It’s kind of ridiculous.

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And we have to mention Brynn McGaughy. She’s the highest-rated recruit in the history of the program. A five-star, local legend from Colfax. Seeing her develop alongside veterans like Hannah Stines and Elle Ladine gives this team a ceiling we haven't seen in Seattle for a minute.

The Michigan-Indiana Road Trip Reality

Let’s talk about the mid-January swing. It’s a perfect example of why this schedule is so taxing. On January 11, the Huskies were in West Lafayette, where they dropped a tough 72-78 game to Purdue. It was a physical, bruising loss.

Instead of folding, they headed to Bloomington. On January 14, they absolutely dismantled Indiana, 82-63. That’s the kind of bounce-back that defines a season. It’s also a warning to the rest of the Big Ten: you might catch Washington on an off night, but you won't out-hustle them twice in a row.

Where to Watch and How to Get There

Look, nothing beats being at Alaska Airlines Arena. The "Purple Reign" game against Michigan on New Year’s Day was proof of that—the place was vibrating. Tickets for the remaining home games (Minnesota, Penn State, Illinois, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Oregon) are starting as low as $13 or $14, which is honestly a steal for this level of basketball.

If you can't make it to Montlake, your TV is your best friend. Most of the Washington women’s basketball schedule is carried across the Big Ten Network, Fox, or Peacock. For the out-of-market games, like the upcoming Rutgers and Maryland road trips, you’ll likely find them on Big Ten Plus or the main BTN channel.

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Upcoming Key Matchups

  • January 18: vs. Minnesota (3:00 PM PT) – Dubs Club Game.
  • January 21: vs. Penn State (6:00 PM PT) – Black Out Game.
  • January 25: @ Rutgers (11:00 AM PT) – Early morning tip on the coast.
  • January 28: @ Maryland (4:00 PM PT) – A massive Top 25 litmus test.
  • February 1: vs. Illinois (3:00 PM PT) – National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

The Big Picture for the Huskies

The end of the regular season is going to be a sprint. After hosting Nebraska on February 22, the Huskies head to Eugene for the regular-season finale on March 1. That game could very well decide seeding for the Big Ten Tournament.

Last year, the transition to the new conference was all about "figuring it out." This year, it's about competing for a top-four seed and a double-bye in the tournament. With Yulia Grabovskaia (the Michigan transfer) holding down the paint at 6-foot-5 and the freshman class contributing early, this team has the size they were lacking in years past.

Basically, the schedule is designed to break you or make you. So far, the Huskies look like they’re being made.

Your Next Steps for Following the Huskies

If you want to stay on top of the action, the best move is to sync the schedule directly to your phone. The official GoHuskies site has a "Subscribe to Schedule" feature that works with Google, Apple, and Outlook. It updates automatically if there are any last-minute tip-off changes (which happens more than you'd think with TV broadcasts).

Also, keep an eye on the "Huskies for a Cure" ticket releases for the February 15 game against Oregon. Those seats tend to disappear fast once the promotional window opens. Whether you're watching from the Dawg Pack section or your living room, this is the stretch of the season where every possession starts to carry that post-season weight.