Why Kellie Harper said it's important to honor Pat Summitt, continue Lady Vols-UConn series

No matter how much time passes from the glory days of the Tennessee-UConn women's basketball rivalry, there's still a buzz every season before the two teams square off.

Since the series was renewed ahead of the 2019-20 season, it has been televised nationally and there's "a lot of extra noise" before the game. Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper believes it has had a positive effect on women's basketball, and said it would be good to continue the series.

Tennessee (16-6, 8-0 SEC) faces No. 5 UConn (18-2, 11-0 Big East) on Thursday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). It is the final game in the most recent scheduling agreement.

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The last time UConn came to Knoxville was Jan. 21, 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions limited attendance to 3,553 fans. But this season, Thompson-Boling Arena will be filled and the matchup will be preceded by a women's basketball edition of ESPN's "College GameDay."

"I'm excited about the opportunity to have a great atmosphere and a great environment to really showcase women's basketball at this elite level," Harper said. "I know our team is excited – who wouldn't be, right? Everybody wants to play in that kind of environment with that atmosphere and a lot of fans in the stands."

Part of the "College GameDay" show will feature legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt. Harper played under Summitt when the series was just beginning, and said games like Thursday are opportunities to remember Summitt's legacy.

"The further we get from her time here, the more important it is that we have these moments that we're able to reflect back on what she did," Harper said. "It gives us an opportunity to talk about her and what she stood for. It gives us an opportunity to remember and reflect on her legacy, and understand that even for so many young women's basketball players that did not have an opportunity to meet her, or even to know her, she is a big part of why they have the opportunities that they have today."

The Huskies have won each of the last three meetings since the rivalry was renewed under Harper. The last time Tennessee won was Jan. 6, 2007, during Candace Parker's era. The Lady Vols won three straight against UConn before Summitt canceled the series.

Harper did not bring up the rivalry with her team prior to the Missouri game and said they've stuck to the one game at a time mentality. But the game itself brings a lot of extra motivation – or pressure – with "College GameDay" in town and a nationally-televised game.

"If I felt like our team was swaying a little bit, I was going to bring it up, but I didn't have to. I thought they stayed focused on what they needed to do," Harper said. "We'll talk a little bit about it, we'll kind of gauge where they're at in terms of their focus and their embracing the hoopla that comes with this game, because there's a lot that's going to happen before the tip."

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Lady Vols-UConn basketball: Kellie Harper says game honors Pat Summitt