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How to watch Women's Champions Classic: UConn-Iowa, Tennessee-Louisville in basketball event

December 20, 2025 The New York Times
How to watch Women's Champions Classic: UConn-Iowa, Tennessee-Louisville in basketball event

Women's Champions Classic features UConn, Iowa, Tennessee, Louisville in top college basketball matchups.

SUMMARY

The Women's Champions Classic returns with top-ranked UConn, Iowa, Tennessee, and Louisville competing in Brooklyn. The event highlights historically successful programs with multiple national titles and Final Four appearances. UConn leads with 12 championships under Geno Auriemma. The doubleheader features Tennessee vs. Louisville and UConn vs. Iowa, showcasing top offenses and key players.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • UConn is the nation's top-ranked women's basketball team entering the event.
  • Four teams combined have 49 Final Four appearances and 20 national championships.
  • Tennessee and Louisville open the doubleheader; UConn faces Iowa to close the showcase.
  • Key players include Sarah Strong (UConn) and Hannah Stuelke (Iowa).
  • Both UConn and Iowa rank in the top 20 for offensive points per game.

CORE SUBJECT

Women's Champions Classic basketball event

UConn enters this weekend's hoops showcase as the nation's top-ranked team. Luke Hales / Getty Images

The Women's Champions Classic is back this Saturday at Barclays Center, featuring four of the biggest names in college basketball. UConn, Iowa, Tennessee and Louisville are all set to take the floor in Brooklyn for the second year in a row.

This field of historically successful programs has combined to make 49 Final Four appearances and win 20 national championships. UConn has had the largest share of that success, with 12 titles under Geno Auriemma since 1994-95. All four teams are currently ranked in the AP Top 25.

Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.

The doubleheader tips off with the No. 17 Lady Volunteers against the No. 16 Cardinals.

Tennessee (7-2) is coming off a 112-40 thrashing of Winthrop its last time out. The Lady Vols have let it fly from distance to begin the season, ranking ninth in made 3s (10.1) and first in attempts (34) per game.

On Wednesday, Louisville (11-3) got past in-state opponent Eastern Kentucky. The Cardinals shot an abysmal 14 percent (3-of-22) from 3-point range and 58 percent (11-of-19) on free throws, but they still came away with a comfortable 76-51 win. This season, they average 81.9 points per game and 35 percent from beyond the arc, and will look to see the ball go through the net more often against Tennessee.

The showcase concludes with the No. 1 Huskies facing off against the No. 11 Hawkeyes.

UConn (11-0) steamrolled Marquette 89-53 on Wednesday as sophomore Sarah Strong led the way with 22 points and seven boards (albeit with six turnovers). Last year's Big East Freshman of the Year leads the Huskies in all statistical categories, including points (17.9), rebounds (8.5), assists (4.6), steals (3.3) and blocks (2.0).

Iowa (10-1) was able to rebound from its first setback of the season, a hard-fought 74-69 loss to rival Iowa State. The Hawkeyes followed with a dominant 102-68 win over Lindenwood, led by senior Hannah Stuelke's season-high 31 points. The Hawkeyes' leading scorer this season, sophomore Ava Heiden, shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the field for 14 points.

Both UConn and Iowa enter Saturday with top-20 offenses: The Huskies (89.7 points per game) rank No. 10, while the Hawkeyes (83.8) aren't far behind at No. 17.

KEYWORDS

Women's Champions Classic UConn Iowa Tennessee Louisville college basketball Barclays Center basketball event

MENTIONED ENTITIES 9

UConn

🏛️ Organization

University of Connecticut women's basketball team, top-ranked nationally

Iowa

🏛️ Organization

University of Iowa women's basketball team

Tennessee

🏛️ Organization

University of Tennessee women's basketball team

Louisville

🏛️ Organization

University of Louisville women's basketball team

Barclays Center

📍 Location_City

Venue in Brooklyn hosting the Women's Champions Classic

Sarah Strong

👤 Person_Female

UConn sophomore leading scorer and rebounder

Hannah Stuelke

👤 Person_Female

Iowa senior player with season-high 31 points

Ava Heiden

👤 Person_Female

Iowa sophomore leading scorer

Geno Auriemma

👤 Person_Male

UConn women's basketball head coach with 12 national titles

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