The University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball team is set to host Tennessee on Dec. 12 in a game that will become the earliest meeting ever between the two storied programs.
A Renewed Rivalry
The series, which dates back to 1995, will feature its 29th overall meeting, with UConn holding an 18‑10 edge after a 96‑66 victory last season.
The upcoming contest will mark only the second time the teams have played before New Year’s Day, the first having taken place on Martin Luther King’s Day in 1995.
UConn has committed to a six‑game, seven‑year non‑conference schedule that includes trips to Knoxville and other marquee matchups against Michigan, Iowa, South Carolina, Duke, Maryland and Texas in the 2026‑27 season.
While the exact venue has not been confirmed, CBS analyst Jon Rothstein has suggested the game could be held at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, the same site where the UConn men will face Kansas on that day.
The matchup promises to add another chapter to a rivalry that has produced national championship implications and memorable performances over nearly three decades.