# Big Ten 2026-27 basketball schedules

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/big-ten-2026-27-basketball-schedules
> Updated: 2026-09-16T22:01:00.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 2.

The Big Ten Conference has finalized its 2026-27 basketball schedules for both men’s and women’s programs, featuring a 20-game conference slate within an 18-team format.

In men’s basketball, Illinois is set to open conference play on December 8 at Minnesota. Other early December matchups include Purdue hosting Iowa on December 1, Northwestern facing Wisconsin on December 1, and UCLA starting its season against Oregon on December 1. Maryland’s men’s team will begin conference play against Ohio State on December 6. Finalized schedules also include programs such as Indiana and Penn State. The Illinois men’s team enters the season with high expectations following a recent Final Four appearance.

For women’s basketball, early December openers include Rutgers hosting Ohio State on December 5, Nebraska traveling to Iowa on December 5, and Minnesota playing at Purdue on December 6. 

The Ohio State women’s basketball team has detailed its 31-game regular season schedule, which begins at home against UIC on November 2. Notable non-conference home games include matchups against the UConn Huskies on November 12 and Ole Miss on November 18, alongside games against Central Michigan, Mercyhurst, Fairleigh Dickinson, Akron, Grand Valley State, Canisius, and Miami (OH). In Big Ten play, the Buckeyes will host Oregon, Maryland, Illinois, Washington, Purdue, and Iowa.

Various programs, including Michigan and Wisconsin, have noted that the upcoming season will feature challenging matchups against top-ranked opponents and significant West Coast travel.

## Claims

- The Big Ten Conference released the 2026-27 men’s basketball schedule. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The 2026-27 men’s basketball schedule consists of a 20-game slate. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Minnesota opens its Big Ten season on December 2 at Michigan State. (single source)
- Northwestern begins conference play against Wisconsin on December 1, 2026. (single source)
- Iowa begins conference play with a road trip to Purdue on December 1. (single source)
- Penn State will host 10 league games at the Bryce Jordan Center. (single source)
- The Big Ten Tournament is scheduled for March 10-14 in Indianapolis. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-16: Ohio State women’s basketball announces 2026-27 schedule

Ohio State women’s basketball has announced its 2026-27 regular season schedule, featuring matchups against UConn, Ole Miss, and various Big Ten opponents.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ohio-state-womens-basketball-announces-2026-27-schedule

### 2026-09-16: Collegiate athletic conferences release 2026-27 basketball schedules

Major US collegiate conferences, including the Big 12, Big Ten, and BIG EAST, have released their 2026-27 men’s and women’s basketball schedules.

34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/big-ten-conference-releases-2026-27-mens-basketball-schedule

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Cite as: Big Ten 2026-27 basketball schedules. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/big-ten-2026-27-basketball-schedules