Iowa Hawkeyes Face Tough Big Ten Road Test in Seattle as Washington Releases 2026-27 Schedule

The Washington Huskies women's basketball team released its full 2026-27 schedule Wednesday, and for Iowa Hawkeyes fans, one date stands out above the rest: January 27, when the Huskies host Iowa at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle.

Washington enters the season with legitimate conference-championship expectations for the first time in a decade, making the matchup with Iowa a critical early-season test in the Big Ten race. The Huskies ended last season in the Round of 32 of the NCAA tournament, winning their first March Madness game since the Kelsey Plum-led UW team in 2017 before falling to TCU in overtime by three points.

What does the Washington-Iowa matchup mean for the Hawkeyes?

For Iowa, the January 27 road game in Seattle represents a significant challenge. Washington has built a formidable home-court advantage, with ten of its first eleven games scheduled at Alaska Airlines Arena. The Huskies will not leave the state of Washington until they travel to Nebraska on December 29.

The game against Iowa is part of a brutal stretch for the Hawkeyes, who will face Michigan State and Michigan on the road in late January before heading to Seattle. Iowa will need to be at its best to secure a win against a Huskies program that has been rebuilt from the ground up under sixth-year head coach Tina Langley.

Washington's roster is loaded for a Big Ten title run

Langley successfully retained all three players who received end-of-season conference honors last season: senior guard Sayvia Sellers, junior guard Avery Howell, and sophomore forward Brynn McGuaghy. She also added key pieces through the transfer portal and recruiting trail, including four-star guard Amayah Garcia and 6-foot-6 North Carolina State transfer Tilda Trygger.

This roster depth makes Washington a legitimate contender in the Big Ten, and the Huskies' schedule reflects that ambition. The team will face a gauntlet of conference opponents, including USC, UCLA, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon.

Full Washington Huskies 2026-27 schedule

Here is the complete schedule released by Washington on Wednesday:

• Nov. 2: vs. UC San Diego, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Nov. 5: vs. Pacific, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Nov. 12: vs. Cal State Bakersfield, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Nov. 17: at Washington State, Pullman, Wash.
• Nov. 20: vs. Stanford, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Nov. 22: vs. Cal Poly, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Dec. 5: vs. Southern California (USC), Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Dec. 10: vs. Southern University, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Dec. 12: vs. Northern Colorado, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Dec. 17: vs. Santa Clara, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Dec. 20: vs. Portland State, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Dec. 29: at Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.
• Jan. 2: vs. Wisconsin, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Jan. 7: at Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Ill.
• Jan. 10: at Northwestern, Evanston, Ill.
• Jan. 14: vs. Maryland, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Jan. 17: vs. Purdue, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Jan. 20: at Michigan State, East Lansing, Mich.
• Jan. 23: at Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
• Jan. 27: vs. Iowa, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Feb. 4: at Oregon, Eugene, Ore.
• Feb. 7: vs. Indiana, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Feb. 10: at Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio
• Feb. 13: at Penn State, University Park, Pa.
• Feb. 17: vs. Rutgers, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Feb. 20: at Minnesota, Minneapolis
• Feb. 25: vs. Oregon, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)
• Feb. 28: vs. UCLA, Alaska Airlines Arena (Seattle)

How does Washington's schedule impact Iowa's Big Ten title hopes?

The Big Ten women's basketball race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the country. With Iowa, USC, UCLA, Ohio State, and Maryland all in the mix, every conference game carries significant weight. Washington's decision to load up on home games early gives them a strong foundation, but the Huskies will face a tough road stretch in February with games at Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, and Minnesota.

For Iowa, the January 27 game in Seattle is a chance to make a statement on the road against a top-tier opponent. The Hawkeyes will need to bring their best defensive effort to slow down Washington's high-powered offense, led by Sellers and Howell.

What should Iowa fans watch for in this matchup?

Iowa fans should keep an eye on the Huskies' size advantage. With Trygger at 6-foot-6, Washington has a presence in the paint that could cause problems for the Hawkeyes. Iowa will need to counter with strong perimeter shooting and aggressive rebounding to compete.

The game is scheduled for January 27 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, with tip-off time to be announced later. Iowa fans planning to travel should book early, as this matchup could have major implications for the Big Ten standings and NCAA tournament seeding.

As the season approaches, both teams will be looking to establish themselves as the class of the Big Ten. For Iowa, the road to a conference title runs through Seattle.