No. 1 UConn routs Tennessee in storied rivalry, 96-66

Huskies hand Lady Vols their worst loss in series history

Feb. 1, 2026 at 4:55pm

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The top-ranked UConn Huskies handed the 15th-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols their worst loss in the storied rivalry between the two women's basketball powerhouses, routing Tennessee 96-66 on Sunday. The 30-point margin topped UConn's previous record of a 23-point win over Tennessee in 2002. UConn used a 14-0 run to close the third quarter and pull away for the lopsided victory.

Why it matters

The UConn-Tennessee rivalry was once one of the biggest in women's college basketball, but the series had been dormant for over a decade before being renewed in 2020. This latest blowout win for the Huskies underscores their continued dominance in the sport and the challenges Tennessee faces in trying to keep up with the nation's top programs.

The details

UConn jumped out to a 21-5 lead early, but Tennessee fought back and even took a 4-point lead late in the second quarter. However, the Huskies regrouped and closed the third quarter on a 14-0 run to blow the game open. UConn's Azzi Fudd led all scorers with 27 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The players

Azzi Fudd

A star player for the UConn Huskies who led all scorers with 27 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds in the game.

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn Huskies, who was pleased that his team had to earn the lopsided victory instead of cruising to an early blowout.

Kim Caldwell

The head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols, who acknowledged that the timing of the game in the middle of conference play was tough for her team.

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What they’re saying

“I think had it been a 30-point lead at halftime I would have been really disappointed. We play these games to be really tested and find out what your team is made of. It's good that you have to regroup and find yourself and come out, so I think in that respect it served its purpose for why you play these games for sure.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

“It's too tough for us. We get two bye weeks in SEC and this takes away one of our bye weeks which is unfortunate.”

— Kim Caldwell, Head Coach, Tennessee Lady Vols

“It still means something, not the same as it was back then. I think any chance we get to play a really talented team like this, it's exciting. There's a lot of anticipation about it. It's not the same as it used to be, but we come out with extra energy and intensity.”

— Azzi Fudd

What’s next

The two teams will continue their series for the next two years, with the next meeting scheduled for later this season.

The takeaway

This lopsided victory for the top-ranked UConn Huskies underscores their continued dominance in women's college basketball, while also highlighting the challenges facing the Tennessee Lady Vols in trying to keep up with the nation's elite programs.