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Alex Scarborough, ESPN Staff Writer 3y

UConn, Tennessee reach deal to extend women's basketball rivalry over next two seasons

Women's College Basketball, Tennessee Lady Volunteers, UConn Huskies

The UConn-Tennessee women's basketball rivalry will continue for at least the next two seasons.

The schools announced a new home-and-home series on Friday that will have the Huskies hosting the Lady Vols in 2021-22, followed by UConn traveling to Tennessee in 2022-23.

"We are excited to play these games and continue the overall series between these historic programs,'' Tennessee coach Kellie Harper said. "We've had highly competitive and entertaining games the past two seasons, and our players as well as our fans really enjoy the level of intensity and excitement that occurs when the Lady Vols and Huskies meet.''

UConn and Tennessee, which own the most championships in women's basketball history with 11 and eight, respectively, had gone 13 years without playing one another until a deal brokered by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame saw them compete in each of the past two seasons.

The Huskies won both contests, extending their lead in the all-time series to 15-9.

A portion of the proceeds from the games went to the Pat Summitt Foundation, which is named after the legendary Lady Vols coach who won a record 1,098 games. The Hall of Famer died in 2016 from early onset dementia.

Tennessee finished 17-8 this past season, advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament during Harper's second year leading the program.

Geno Auriemma, who is entering his 35th season at UConn, led the Huskies to a Final Four appearance last season.

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