Lady Vols Face No. 1 UConn in High-Stakes Road Test After Mississippi State Setback
After a tough loss earlier this week, Tennessee is heading straight into the fire. The Lady Vols (14-4, 6-1 SEC) hit the road for a marquee matchup against top-ranked UConn (22-0, 12-0 Big East) today in Hartford-a game that could serve as both a bounce-back opportunity and a measuring stick.
Tennessee’s stumble came on Jan. 29, when Mississippi State handed them a 77-62 loss in Knoxville. The Lady Vols struggled to find their rhythm early, and by the time they did, the Bulldogs had already built enough of a cushion to keep them at bay. It was Tennessee’s first SEC loss of the season and a reminder that even in a strong stretch, there’s little margin for error in this league.
Now, the challenge gets significantly tougher.
UConn hasn’t just been winning-they’ve been steamrolling. The Huskies come into today’s game undefeated, with a 22-0 record that includes top-25 wins over Michigan, Iowa, Louisville and USC. They’ve looked the part of a national title contender from the jump, and unless something unexpected happens, this could be their final ranked opponent until deep into March Madness.
That adds even more weight to today’s matchup.
A Rivalry Renewed
This isn’t just another game on the calendar-it’s Tennessee vs. UConn, one of the most iconic rivalries in women’s college basketball.
And while the series has ebbed and flowed over the years, last season brought a spark back to the fire. On Feb. 6, 2025, the Lady Vols stunned the Huskies with an 80-76 win in Knoxville, snapping a four-game losing streak to UConn.
That win was more than just a resume booster. It was a statement that Tennessee could still hang with the elite, still punch above its weight when the moment called for it. And now, with the Huskies back on top and undefeated, the Lady Vols have another chance to make noise on the national stage.
Game Info: How to Watch
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 1
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: PeoplesBank Arena, Hartford, CT
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: FUBO (free trial available for new users)
- Announcers: Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play), Sarah Kustok (analyst)
What’s at Stake
For Tennessee, this is about more than just bouncing back from a loss. It’s a chance to test themselves against the best, to see how their size, depth, and defense stack up against a UConn team that’s been nearly flawless. It’s also a critical game for NCAA seeding and national perception-especially with a brutal stretch of SEC play still ahead.
For UConn, it’s about staying perfect. The Huskies have handled every challenge so far, and while they’ve already beaten several ranked teams this season, Tennessee brings a different kind of pedigree. A win today would further cement their status as the team to beat heading into February.
Looking Ahead: Tennessee’s Upcoming Schedule
The Lady Vols don’t get much of a breather after this. They’ll stay on the road for back-to-back SEC matchups-first at Georgia on Feb. 5 and then a huge showdown at South Carolina on Feb.
- That’s followed by a mix of home and away games against Missouri, Texas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, LSU, and Vanderbilt before the SEC Tournament kicks off in early March.
Here’s what’s left on Tennessee’s regular-season slate:
- Feb. 5: at Georgia, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
- Feb. 8: at South Carolina, 3 p.m. (ABC)
- Feb. 12: vs. Missouri, 6:30 p.m.
(SEC Network+)
- Feb. 15: vs.
Texas, 3 p.m. (ABC)
- Feb. 17: at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
- Feb. 19: vs. Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m.
(SEC Network+)
- Feb. 22: at Oklahoma, 2 p.m.
(TBD)
- Feb. 26: at LSU, 6 p.m.
(ESPN)
- March 1: vs.
Vanderbilt, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
- March 4-8: SEC Women’s Tournament (Greenville, S.C.)
Final Word
This is the kind of game that defines a season. Tennessee has shown flashes of elite potential, but today they’ll need a full 40-minute effort to hang with a UConn team that’s playing at a different level. If the Lady Vols can bring the same energy and execution they showed in last year’s upset, don’t be surprised if we see another chapter added to this legendary rivalry.