CHICAGO – The UIC women's basketball team announced its 2026-27 schedule Friday, combining a rugged nonconference schedule that features road matchups at NCAA Tournament qualifiers Ohio State and Iowa State, with the always-challenging Missouri Valley Conference slate.
 
The Flames enter their fifth season under head coach Ashleen Bracey, who is coming off a 14-18 campaign that included a 9-11 record in MVC play a season ago. UIC has reached the postseason three times in the past four seasons with Bracey at the helm and totaled 66 wins in that span – the second-highest four-year win total in program history.
 
This year's squad will be a mix of five returning veterans and nine newcomers. Among the returnees is junior Julia Coleman, who was a triple MVC award winner last year, making the All-MVC Third Team, as well as the conference's All-Defensive and All-Newcomer teams. Coleman ranked eighth in conference play with 16.3 points per game and was one of 12 Valley players to record at least 200 rebounds, finishing with 238 boards.
 
Some of the key contests for UIC's 2026-27 season are highlighted below, with the complete schedule available here. Tipoff times, broadcast information and promotions will be announced in the coming weeks.
 

• Nov. 2 – at Ohio State – Season opener against NCAA Second Round participant.
• Nov. 8 – home vs. Northwestern – Homecoming Weekend and home opener, with the Flames seeking their first win over the Wildcats since 2007.
• Nov. 15 – at Iowa State – NCAA First Round qualifier; first matchup since 1986.
• Nov. 19 – home vs. Lindenwood – 25-win season, Ohio Valley Conference Championship appearance.
• Nov. 21 – home vs. Ball State – 26-win season, Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinalist.
• Nov. 25-27 – at Rice Invitational – Matchups include Lamar and UTRGV (both 2026 WNIT participants).
• Dec. 5 – at Austin Peay– 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship appearance, WNIT participant.
• Dec. 13 – at Loyola – First meeting at Gentile Arena since 2023.
• Dec. 20 – home vs. Indiana State – Missouri Valley Conference home opener.
• Feb. 4 – home vs. Illinois State – Flames battle Bracey's alma mater at home.
• Feb. 12 – home vs. Murray State – Reigning MVC champion; NCAA First Round participant.
• Feb. 27 – home vs. Belmont – Regular season finale.

 
The Flames' season culminates in March as they join the UIC men's basketball team in St. Louis for their first appearance in Arch Madness. The MVC announced June 22 that the conference's men's and women's basketball championships will take place during the same week at Enterprise Center, marking the debut of 10-team tournaments for each sport.
 
All UIC home games are played at Credit Union 1 Arena, and fans can learn more about purchasing season tickets by contacting the UIC Athletics Ticket Office (312-413-UIC1; athleticsticketing@uic.edu).
 
For more information on UIC women's basketball, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_WBB and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_wbb and @uicflames).
 
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