By Ashley Stadnicki
Fifteen newcomers. Zero returners. One of the most recognizable traditions in college basketball.
To Tennessee women’s basketball, the challenge of building a team this season goes beyond just learning a new playbook. The Lady Vols are learning one another, learning what it means to wear Tennessee orange, and learning how to turn a roster of new faces into a team capable of competing in the Southeastern Conference.
At Tennessee’s local media day, head coach Kim Caldwell made one thing clear: The group might be new, but the standard has not changed.
“They make it fun,” Caldwell said of her players. “They make it fun to coach them.”
That chemistry has become one of the most encouraging developments of the preseason. Caldwell noted that the players spend time together away from basketball and have already started building the trust necessary to navigate the highs and lows of a long season.
Connection was on display after a recent practice. Despite finishing late following the team’s media day, the players headed to a Tennessee volleyball game at about 9 p.m., creating their own student section.
“I think that’s what makes this team special,” Caldwell said.
For a roster that has had to come together quickly, those moments matter. Tennessee’s roster lists 15 newcomers and no returning players, making the early stages of the season a test of both talent and togetherness.
Caldwell acknowledged that some growing pains are inevitable. The coaching staff has worked on simulating game situations in practice, giving players opportunities to experience success and failure before the games count.
“You just have to make sure you have your foundation set with the type of player that you have and where their heads are at,” Caldwell said. “And I think we have that.”
Learning to lead
One of the biggest challenges for Tennessee will be finding consistency at point guard.
Junior guards Kennedy Fauntleroy and Jada Eads are being asked to do more than handle the ball. In Caldwell’s system, the position requires leadership on both ends of the floor and confidence to make decisions under pressure.
“I would hate to be the point guard in any program, let alone here,” Caldwell said.
Point guards set the defensive tempo and push the pace offensively while putting teammates in position. They also need to understand multiple positions within the offense while remaining resilient when mistakes happen.
Caldwell praised both Fauntleroy and Eads, and the staff introduced a new responsibility to help them grow: leading team film sessions. The approach is designed to accelerate their development as leaders while helping a roster full of newcomers become more comfortable with one another.
She credited assistant coach Jenna Burdette, a former point guard, with the idea and with helping the guards lead their first film session. This adjustment reflects the overall motif of Tennessee’s preseason: asking players to take the lead on a team they are still getting to know.
A freshman ready to work
While the roster features experienced transfers and players arriving from programs across the country, freshman Gabby Minus has already caught Caldwell’s attention.
The 6-foot-1 guard/forward from Dacula, Georgia, earned recognition from Caldwell for her willingness to ask questions and keep working when things become uncomfortable.
“She wants to do it right,” Caldwell said.
Minus’ performance in Tennessee’s recent scrimmage illustrated both the promise and growing pains of a freshman. Caldwell acknowledged that Minus made mistakes and cost the team points, but noted that her effort helped make up for them.
Minus continued attacking the offensive glass, collecting rebounds and creating second-chance opportunities.
“She’s a name that everybody knows,” Caldwell said of Minus, expressing confidence that the freshman’s work ethic and commitment to the program will help her improve.
An emphasis on offensive rebounding is no accident. Caldwell described it as central to Tennessee’s identity, calling it “the lifeblood” of what the team wants to do.
Still, the coach was candid about areas that need attention. Tennessee has struggled to finish at the rim late in practices and games, particularly when fatigue sets in. Caldwell also wants to see better half-court defense, emphasizing that individual defense will not be enough against SEC competition.
“We really do have to play defense as a unit,” Caldwell said.
Those details could become especially important as the team works through the early part of the schedule and determines which lineups work best together.
More than a uniform
To Tennessee, the process of building a team also means building a connection to the program’s history. Caldwell revealed that the staff has organized book reports and learning sessions about former Lady Vols, giving newcomers a better understanding of the legacy attached to the uniform.
The goal is to connect the program’s past with its future.
“You don’t put this uniform on lightly,” Caldwell said.
That message appears to have resonated with a roster Caldwell described as appreciative of the opportunity to play at Tennessee. She noted that the players enjoy supporting other teams on campus, including football and volleyball, and are grateful for the resources available to them. Caldwell hopes fans will see that enthusiasm when the team takes the floor.
“I hope that the fan base gets to know them from your guys’ questions today, and gets to see them next week play as hard as you’ve seen any of my teams play,” Caldwell said.
This connection to Tennessee has been particularly meaningful because of the uncertainty surrounding the program during the roster-building process. Caldwell expressed gratitude for the players who chose to come to Knoxville despite outside criticism.
“They believed in themselves. They believed in us as coaches,” Caldwell said.
Remembering the people behind the game
Media day also offered a personal moment when Caldwell opened the press conference by remembering Ike Morris, her friend and a donor to Glenville State, where she previously coached.
Her tribute was a reminder of how much support behind the scenes can shape a coach’s career.
Caldwell recalled how Morris helped Glenville State remain competitive, from providing new uniforms to supporting scholarships and fundraising efforts. His belief in winning extended across sports and helped coaches succeed in circumstances where resources were limited.
“Without Ike Morris and his family, I would not be standing where I am today,” Caldwell said.
The emotion in her opening remarks stood in contrast to the basketball questions that followed, but the message fit the day’s larger theme: Success is rarely built alone. It takes people who truly believe in a program, players willing to commit to one another, and a staff prepared to keep working when the process gets uncomfortable.
For Tennessee, that work is still underway. Caldwell admitted that November typically brings nerves. Early-season mistakes in fouls, shot selection, turnovers and rebounding are familiar concerns, and the new roster will need time to establish rotations and develop chemistry in real game environments.
It is an ambitious balancing act for a team starting from scratch. But Caldwell believes the players’ willingness to work and their appreciation for the opportunity give Tennessee a foundation to build on.
Although the roster may be new, the expectations surrounding the Lady Vols are not.
And if Caldwell’s team continues to make the gym a place its players want to be, she believes it will have a chance to grow into the season together.