{"id":897573,"date":"2026-10-28T13:48:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T13:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/897573\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T13:48:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T13:48:10","slug":"gabby-minus-shakes-off-nerves-in-lady-vols-exhibition-win-over-famu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/897573\/","title":{"rendered":"Gabby Minus shakes off nerves in Lady Vols\u2019 exhibition win over FAMU"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Tuesday night\u2019s exhibition between Tennessee Lady Vols basketball and Florida A&M<\/a>, head coach Kim Caldwell<\/a> saw a lot of good work out of her team. Tennessee went on to a 132-63 win<\/a> over the Rattlers, and eight players scored in double figures. It was also every player\u2019s first time playing in Food City Center against another opponent in a real game environment.<\/p>\n

Granted, the result doesn\u2019t go on the record, but fans and those on SECN+ got to see what could be for this Lady Vols basketball team. With all the new players on the team, there was a little nervousness among some, especially a freshman who has never been on this stage before.<\/p>\n

During the game, as I made my observations, freshman Gabby Minus stood out to me. She was all over the floor and made plays offensively and on defense. In 17 minutes of play, Minus finished with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting and 2-of-2 from the free throw line, and added seven rebounds with two assists. After the game, Caldwell talked about Minus and how she was nervous at first.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was very proud of Gabby,\u201d Caldwell told me. \u201cShe had those two rough shots early in the game, and she\u2019s coming off to the sideline, and I\u2019m trying to coach her up on the shots. I said, \u2018Well, tell me about those two shots,\u2019 and the correct answer was, \u2018I shot them too quick.\u2019 And she just grabbed me and said, \u2018Coach, I\u2019m so nervous.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Tennessee's<\/p>\n

Tennessee’s Gabby Minus (4) talks to Tennessee women\u2019s basketball coach Kim Caldwell during a women\u2019s college basketball exhibition game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Florida A&M Rattlers at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Oct. 27, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Hearing that put it all into great perspective of how nothing can really prepare a player for that first time on the court when the lights come on. Minus was able to shake off the nerves and settle in for a good night, and so did everyone else.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why tonight was so good. We had so many players that sat last year or sat part of last year, and two freshmen that got their debut, and it means something to them. They were nervous, and I think they settled into the game. That\u2019s why you have these exhibitions, so that the first time out isn\u2019t really the first time out.\u201d<\/p>\n

You could see it in her stat line. Minus missed those couple of shots, but she didn\u2019t let it keep her from doing the work needed. She grabbed three offensive rebounds, scored two second-chance points and set up a Smikle three off another one. She also had two steals and a block in 17 minutes, and she finished plus-41 when she was on the floor.<\/p>\n

For a freshman who admitted to being nervous a few minutes into her first game, that\u2019s a strong place to start. Minus and the Lady Vols open the regular season Monday against Duquesne, and now the first time out won\u2019t be her first time out.<\/p>\n

Send your questions, comments, and hot takes to our email\u00a0tennesseeonsi@gmail.com\u00a0for the chance to be featured in an article!<\/p>\n

Follow Our Social Media Accounts<\/p>\n

\u2022 Follow Vols on SI on X (Click\u00a0HERE<\/a>)
\u2022 Follow Vols on SI on Facebook (Click\u00a0HERE<\/a>)
\u2022 Follow Vols on SI on Instagram (Click\u00a0HERE<\/a>)
\u2022 Subscribe to Vols on SI on YouTube (Click\u00a0HERE<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Sign up for our newsletter to have articles sent straight to your email daily\u00a0HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow<\/a>