The Iowa women’s basketball team is quickly establishing the standard for 2026. On Thursday afternoon, the No. 14 Hawkeyes will celebrate the start of the new year at home in Carver-Hawkeye Arena against longtime rival No. 25 Nebraska. The game is another crucial Big Ten test for an Iowa team that has appeared more at ease as conference play picks up speed. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.
Nebraska comes to Iowa City at 12-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference, while Iowa comes into the holiday matchup with an 11-2 overall record and a perfect 2-0 record in Big Ten play. This New Year’s Day matchup is one of the more interesting games on the Big Ten schedule because the Cornhuskers have been among the league’s most reliable teams early in the season. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the game live for Hawkeye fans who are eager to watch, and Fubo, which provides a free trial for new subscribers, will offer streaming options.
Beyond the rivalry element, Iowa has a lot of momentum going into the game on Thursday. The Hawkeyes have defeated Nebraska in 11 of their last 13 meetings, and recent history indicates that the Cornhuskers have had trouble winning at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. However, the stakes seem a little higher this time around, with both teams ranked and conference standings starting to take shape.
Ava Heiden, a sophomore center who has rapidly established herself as one of the Big Ten’s most dependable interior presences, has been a major factor in Iowa’s success this season. Heiden is currently shooting a remarkable 63.7% from the field while averaging 15.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. Iowa now has a reliable scoring option and a defensive anchor at the rim thanks to her effectiveness and poise in the paint.
Heiden’s most recent performance only served to highlight how lethal she can be when she gets going. The sophomore scored a career-high 27 points on 13-of-19 shooting in Iowa’s most recent game, a 99-76 victory over Penn State on December 28. She appeared to be a player who is developing as the season goes on because she was assertive early on and self-assured throughout.
As conference play gets more intense, Iowa was able to maintain its upward trajectory thanks to that dominant performance against Penn State. It also demonstrated the Hawkeyes’ capacity to dominate games on both ends of the court, especially when their frontcourt is playing at a high level. But Nebraska won’t be a simple victory. The Cornhuskers will come to Iowa City ready to make an impression against a ranked opponent on a national platform because they have built their successful record on balanced scoring and disciplined defense. Nebraska’s position in the Big Ten race would be greatly enhanced by a road victory over Iowa.
From Iowa’s point of view, Thursday is about more than just being able to brag. The Hawkeyes want to maintain their perfect record in league play, defend their home court, and keep developing a resume that will last the entire season. These kinds of games against ranked opponents, in a conference, with enthusiasm in the building often influence how a team is viewed in March. Fans can anticipate a physical, competitive matchup that showcases the familiarity between two well-known programs. New Year’s Day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena should be no exception to the tendency for rivalry games to take on a life of their own.
How to watch Iowa women’s basketball vs. Nebraska
TV Channel: Big Ten Network
Tipoff Time: 1 p.m. CT
How to stream Iowa vs. Nebraska
Available via Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers
Iowa women’s basketball has a chance to make yet another powerful statement as 2026 gets underway. The Hawkeyes will try to make another special occasion inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena on New Year’s Day, with Ava Heiden at the forefront and a ranked opponent across the court.
