Lady Vols basketball vs. UConn, arguably the biggest rivalry in the sport, isn’t going anywhere in the near future. Despite the contract of the current series ending this year, Cora Hall of Knox News reported on Saturday that next year will start a new two-game contract.
Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma revealed that next year’s game will also be played in Connecticut. The Lady Vols are headed up north to play UConn as the away team this Sunday, as well, with the game beginning at noon ET and airing on FOX.
This would almost certainly mean that the Huskies would head to Knoxville to play the Lady Vols in the 2027-28 season. The last time UConn visited Food City Center, Kim Caldwell led Tennessee to an upset win in her first season.
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All-time, UConn holds the edge in the series 17-10. However, in games where legendary Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt led the program, the Huskies’ advantage was just 13-9.
Kellie Harper was leading Tennessee when the rivalry restarted in 2020 after not being played since 2007, but lost four consecutive matchups. The teams did not play in 2024.
At home, the Lady Vols are 4-6 in the series. Tennessee holds that same mark, 4-6, in true road games, as well.
There’s a lot at stake this year when the Lady Vols and UConn meet, too. Tennessee is coming off a brutal 15-point loss to Mississippi State at home. It has a gauntlet of a schedule following the meeting with the top-ranked Huskies, and will be looking to avoid things snowballing in the wrong direction.
For UConn, it hasn’t lost a game in nearly a calendar year. The last time it was on the wrong side of the scoreboard was the trip to Knoxville a season ago. Since then, Auriemma has led his team to a conference and national title and is the favorite to win both again this year.
