Tennessee Lady Volunteers lock in 2026‑27 slate
The Southeastern Conference released its full women's basketball schedule for the 2026‑27 season on Thursday, confirming that the Lady Volunteers will navigate a 16‑game conference slate bookended by a home‑and‑home series against Kentucky.
Tennessee will host eight conference opponents on its home floor while traveling to the same number, with the first conference showdown slated for Thursday, December 31, 2026. The Kentucky matchup will feature two meetings, one in Knoxville and the other in Lexington, underscoring the rivalry's renewed prominence.
A demanding road ahead
Beyond the league schedule, the non‑conference slate promises marquee tests. The Volunteers open the season on November 4 at Coppin State in Baltimore, then head to Blacksburg to meet Virginia Tech on December 3 as part of the ACC‑SEC Challenge. A neutral‑site clash with Baylor will take place on December 18 in Nashville, followed by a home game against UCLA on a later date.
Additional road trips include a visit to Storrs or Hartford to face UConn, a showdown at Belmont in Nashville, and a home contest versus MTSU in Knoxville. The schedule also features a trip to Kentucky's home court, completing the double‑header against the Wildcats.
Coach Kim Caldwell, now in her second year, emphasized the balance between competitive conference play and challenging out‑of‑conference opponents, noting that the slate is designed to sharpen the team for the NCAA tournament.