So, here we are in the middle of January 2026, and if you haven't been keeping a close eye on the Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, you're missing out on a serious transformation. The tn lady vols basketball schedule is currently hitting that brutal "SEC gauntlet" phase where every single night feels like a heavyweight title fight.
Honestly, things look different under Kim Caldwell. If you were expecting the same old pace, you probably haven't seen them play this year. It's fast. Like, really fast.
The Remaining 2025-26 Grind
We just crossed the midway point of the season. If you're looking for the tn lady vols basketball schedule for the rest of the winter, get your calendar out. The back half of January and all of February are basically a tour of the best programs in the country.
💡 You might also like: Middlesbrough Football Transfer News: Why the Hayden Hackney Rumors Are Different This Time
Coming up on January 22, the Lady Vols host Kentucky in Knoxville. That's a 6:30 PM ET tip-off and it's always a physical mess in the best way possible. Then they hit the road for a Monday night clash at Ole Miss on January 26.
But the date everyone has circled? February 1.
That is the UConn game. It's in Hartford this year at PeoplesBank Arena. It’s at noon. It’s on FOX. It is the game that reminds everyone why this rivalry still matters, even if the faces on the sidelines have changed over the years.
👉 See also: LSU Schedule Football 2025: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Schedule is Harder Than It Looks
You can’t just look at wins and losses with this team. Coach Caldwell's "full-court press" style is exhausting, and the schedule was designed to test that depth. Earlier this season, they had that wild West Coast swing against UCLA and Stanford. Most teams would crumble under that travel, but they actually managed to snag a massive win at Stanford on December 3.
Key Upcoming Home Games
- Kentucky: Jan 22 at 6:30 PM ET
- Mississippi State: Jan 29 at 6:30 PM ET
- Missouri: Feb 12 at 6:30 PM ET
- Texas: Feb 15 at 3:00 PM ET
- Vanderbilt: March 1 at 2:00 PM ET (Senior Night)
That Texas game on February 15 is going to be a sellout. Mark my words. The Longhorns are top-tier, and having them come into Knoxville in mid-February is the ultimate litmus test for the SEC Tournament.
The Roster Making it Happen
It’s not just about when they play, but who’s actually on the floor. Talaysia Cooper has been a revelation this year. She’s a redshirt junior guard who basically lives at the free-throw line. Then you’ve got the freshmen. Mia and Mya Pauldo have brought this jersey-tough energy from Paterson, NJ, that the fan base has absolutely fallen in love with.
And don't overlook Lauren Hurst. She's a 6'3" freshman from right down the road in Cleveland, TN. Seeing a local kid contribute on this stage is kinda special. She’s versatile enough to play the wing or the post, which is exactly what Caldwell needs for her high-pressure system.
Road Trips and TV Coverage
If you can't make it to Knoxville, you're basically living on SEC Network and ESPN2. The tn lady vols basketball schedule is heavily televised, which is great, but the times can be tricky.
For example, the LSU game on February 26 is a 6:00 PM ET start in Baton Rouge. That’s a "get home from work and immediately turn on the TV" situation. Kim Mulkey vs. Kim Caldwell is a tactical nightmare for any coach, and that game will likely have huge implications for the SEC standings.
Looking Ahead to March
The regular season wraps up on March 1 against Vanderbilt. After that, everyone heads to Greenville, South Carolina, for the SEC Tournament starting March 4.
The goal is simple: stay in the top four of the conference. If they do that, they get that double-bye, which is massive for a team that plays as hard and fast as the Lady Vols do. You don't want to play four games in four days with this defensive scheme. Your legs would simply give out.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're planning to catch a game or follow the rest of the season, here’s what you actually need to do:
- Download the Tennessee Athletics App: It’s the only way to get real-time gate openings and schedule changes, especially with winter weather potentially hitting East Tennessee in February.
- Check the Food City Center Bag Policy: They are strict. Clear bags only. Don't be the person sent back to their car ten minutes before tip-off.
- Watch the NET Rankings: Since the Lady Vols played a tough non-conference schedule (NC State, UCLA, Stanford, UConn), their NET ranking is usually higher than their record suggests. This is what the selection committee looks at for NCAA seeding.
- Secure SEC Tournament Tickets Early: Greenville sells out fast, especially if South Carolina and Tennessee are on a collision course.
The tn lady vols basketball schedule is designed to prepare this team for a deep run in March. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, sure, but that’s Lady Vols basketball. It's never boring, and under this new regime, it’s faster than ever.