The Tennessee Lady Vols are gearing up for the 2026‑27 women’s basketball season, opening with an exhibition clash against Florida A&M on Oct. 27 at the Food City Center in Knoxville.
The exhibition will be followed by the regular‑season debut on Nov. 2 against Duquesne, also in Knoxville, setting the tone for a schedule that stretches through February.
Under third‑year head coach Kim Caldwell, the team has assembled a roster of 13 transfers and two high‑school signees, aiming for versatility and depth.
Caldwell said the recruitment focused on work ethic and the ability to play multiple roles, creating a balanced unit that can adapt to different opponents.
Balanced roster meets tough road
The early part of the slate includes contests with Coppin State, New Haven, Middle Tennessee and Belmont in November, before the first road test at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on Dec. 3.
December will also bring home games against Georgia State and North Carolina Central, while the team travels to face Alabama A&M, Baylor and Texas A&M later in the month and into January.
A highlight will be the Jan. 18 matchup at Florida in Gainesville, followed by visits from Kentucky and Alabama, with Kentucky returning to Knoxville in February.
The season will wrap up with games against LSU and Arkansas in February, concluding a campaign that features most of its home games at the Food City Center, except for a single contest at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.