No. 17 Tennessee Faces No. 7 Texas in Historic Women’s Basketball Rivalry

AUSTIN, Texas — One of women’s basketball’s most storied rivalries reignites Thursday night as No. 17 Tennessee (15-3, 3-3 SEC) faces No. 7 Texas (18-2, 4-1) at Moody Center. The game marks the first meeting between the two programs as conference rivals since Texas joined the Southeastern Conference.

The matchup comes during the SEC’s “We Back Pat” week, honoring the legacy of legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and her foundation’s fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Summitt’s Lady Vols and Jody Conradt’s Longhorns helped elevate women’s basketball in the 1980s, setting the sport’s attendance record in 1987 with 24,563 fans at their game in Austin.

Texas enters as the favorite, boasting a top-five offense and defense nationally. Sophomore standout Madison Booker leads the Longhorns, averaging 28 points in Monday’s 38-point blowout of Maryland. “She’s one of the coolest players to watch right now,” said a Texas Women’s Basketball spokesperson.

Tennessee, under first-year coach Kim Caldwell, leads Division I in scoring with an up-tempo offense that averages the most field goal attempts and made 3-pointers per game. The Volunteers’ three losses have come by a combined four points, including back-to-back heartbreakers against ranked SEC opponents.

The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET Thursday and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Streaming options include ESPN+, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.