Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl doesn’t mind telling it like it is.
Facts are facts: Sophomore center Wayne Chism has yet to show the improvement many expected and could lose the starting job for the third time this season.
“I haven’t decided yet,’’ Pearl said Monday, asked if freshman Brian Williams will assume the starting role for Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. game against UNC-Asheville at Thompson-Boling Arena (TV: SportsSouth). “I like the way Wayne is defending; he is playing with a passion and a purpose.’’
It has been a different story on the offensive end, however, where Chism is averaging 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per outing for the 12th-ranked Vols (9-1).
“Offensively, he’s just not comfortable and not bringing the same energy level,’’ Pearl said. “He’s still doing a lot of good things, but he hasn’t been as consistent.’’
Chism admitted last week he was in a slump and seemed as puzzled as anyone.
Indeed, when Pearl signed Chism out of Bolivar Central High School, his comment was “Chism’s a guy that won’t back down from anyone; he’ll go toe-to-toe with anyone in the SEC.’’
This season, Chism has spent more time flopping to draw charges than using his impressive frame and athleticism to muscle up on defense.
“I’m concerned with Wayne’s confidence — and I still have great confidence in him, myself,’’ Pearl said. “But his confidence in himself is affected too much on each play. He just needs to maintain his focus and be consistent with his emotions.
“Wayne doesn’t want to disappoint his teammates, though, and he lets things bother him,’’ Pearl said. “The encouraging thing is we’re winning while he’s not playing as well as he is capable.’’
Chism was largely responsible for limiting former Ohio State player Greg Oden, the No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA draft, to nine points and three rebounds in last year’s Sweet 16.
In the previous game against Virginia, Chism stood tall, scoring 13 points and pulling down five rebounds while the Cavaliers’ center had no points and one rebound in 33 minutes.
But Williams beat out both Duke Crews and Chism for the starting center job in the preseason. Chism lost the starting job again three games ago to Crews, only to regain it when Crews’ heart problem was diagnosed prior to Saturday’s game with Western Kentucky.
Williams Honored: Williams was named SEC freshman of the week after recording career highs of 16 points and 14 rebounds in an 88-82 win over Western Kentucky. It was his first double-double.
Did You Know: Chris Lofton will tie Allan Houston as UT’s all-time 3-point shot leader with his next trey. Lofton has 345 career 3-pointers, which also is 21 shy of the SEC’s all-time record held by former Arkansas standout Pat Bradley.
Lofton is second in the SEC with an average of 3.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, and his .356 shooting percentage beyond the arc ranks 10th in the league. Lofton also ranks third in free-throw percentage, shooting at an .842 clip.
Terrific Tyler: Sophomore transfer Tyler Smith ranks among SEC leaders in scoring (13.3 points per game, 25th), rebounding (5.2 per game, 22nd), assists (3.6 per game, 12th), steals (2.3 per game, third) and assist/turnover ratio (2.25, eighth).
The Bad: Tennessee is one of only two SEC teams (South Carolina) that has been out-rebounded this season. … The Vols are the third-worst (Auburn, Alabama) free-throw shooting team in the SEC at .638. … UT is ninth in the SEC in field-goal percentage (.468).
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 22
andy112382#209793 writes:
Uh-oh, those Fulmer haters are going to go after Bruce here soon with being third-worst in free throw shooting and 9th in FGP...........at least if they were fair at all about how they judged things (even though their thinking is a bit out of whack to say the least)........oh, wait! they aren't fair, either!
Anywho, keep up the good work Pearl!
GO VOLS!!!
eb502us#225637 writes:
Headline should read "Chism should lose starting spot". With all the offensive talent we have, Brian Williams is the perfect role player in a position that is sorely needed. He will solve our rebounding delima and provide more open looks for our perimeter shooters. Barring injury, I just don't see Chism taking back his starting spot anytime soon.
creepykev#228270 writes:
Chism hangs out behind the arc too much. He needs to tether himself to the post. Rebounds and garbage buckets will come his way. There have been many times this season where there was no one in the paint when we shoot the ball. You can't get boards out in three point land.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Wayne, get inside and get MEAN. It's all about heart inside.
Wanna see how to play? Find some video of a guy named Moses Malone. He was 6'10" but he played like a 7'4" King Kong inside.
HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT IT, WAYNE??
dvol27#235561 writes:
Chism has looked extremely "soft" this year on both the offensive and defensive ends; particularly on the offensive end. I cannot stand it when he hangs-out on the perimeter and puts-up these rediculous three's!!! Also, when he gets the post-interior pass, he never shows any sort of tenaciousness getting to the rim. Dunk the ball in their f-ing faces Wayne and show some fire for god's sake!!! We need a warrior in the post and not someone who is affraid to get to the stripe occasionally.
murrayvol writes:
Williams rise will push Chism to either ramp up his game on both ends or see his minutes reduced. "It's as simple as that." Forrest Gump-1994.
tigervol9802 writes:
Williams looked great and has definitely earned a chance to start.
Biggest question about him - he is still learning the defensive game at the college level and got lost on defense a couple of times. I don't see him being able to guard the inbound man on the press much, but I suppose that can go to Tyler Smith. I suppose he'll have to play safety on it.
That said, his inside presence right now more than makes up any liability. He seems like a quick learner and a hard worker (he's lost nearly 100 pounds since Pearl signed him), and it'll come to him.
BillVol writes:
What does Fulmer have to do with Tennessee basketball?
fullbackless writes:
I know why Chism cant score...He doest take any shots inside the three point line. Wow, that is a hard one, I can really see why he is puzzled. Come on Chism, try playing in the paint some if you want to help the team.
JHite7 writes:
It'd be nice to get the Hopson kid and steal another one from the state of Kentucky...that seemed to work out well with the guy named Lofton.
Quick, what's the best thing to come out of Kentucky besides Lofton????
Answer: I-75
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Thanks for the link, bricker865. Hopson looks like he has some skills, but the write-up on him says he is still somewhat immature. Oh well, he is still a kid. Good prospect, though. I like that he wants to play in an up-tempo style, which makes him a potentially good fit for us.
Chism is a real mystery right now. He CAN make the 3-pointer, it's just that for this team he shouldn't take so many of them. For me, the worst is that when he is inside he doesn't go up strong. I also hate his flopping on defense. Guys who do that don't realize that the refs don't respect that, so they don't get the calls themselves when they are on offense. He looks to me as if he grew tall young and was not used to being challenged inside. Then someone told him that the NBA likes big men who can shoot outside, so he worked on that skill rather than learning some strong post moves. Even though I am a Williams fan, this team won't reach its full potential unless Chism snaps out of it, especially if Crews can't come back strong.
DSaVol writes:
Bottom line - Chism is soft and whines too damned much. Did it last year and nothing's changed. It's not about too many 3s or anything else. Simple heart and effort which he has shown little of. It's totally ridiculous that a second year player of his supposed skills/talent could let a guy who's only played the game a couple of years get even close to taking his job. After all, Williams may do some nice things but he's not Abdul-Jabbar for cripes sake!
Next, Williams isn't likely to get many more minutes than he got the other night. Reasons - his body can't play the up and down style much more than 20-25 minutes, the rotation is designed to limit everybody's minutes, and Chism can't play much worse than he has been so he should get better and keep his minutes.
Last - as usual Mike Griffith only wants to tell PART of the story. Let's play ASK MIKE! Who, Mike, is 2nd in the league in scoring AND scoring margin???? Who, Mike, is FIRST in the league in assists, steals, turnover margin, assist to turnover ration, offensive REBOUNDS, and 3 ptrs made????? Gee Mike I wouldn't expect YOU to know but of course it's TENNESSEE. Oh and by the way, TENNESSEE is also 9-1 in the only stat that matters!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You're right, DSaVol. At this level, the real difference in players is not physical but mental and emotional. Everything I have read and seen about Williams shows that he is a young man of unusual focus and determination; the story of his weight loss alone shows that. He will have his ups and downs and some problems with stamina, but I believe he will give all he has every minute he is on the court. Right now, I can't say the same about Chism. This is often the case with kids who have been told how great they are all their lives. They don't know how to work to improve when their natural gifts aren't enough at the next level, they don't how to compete when they are challenged by guys who are as good as they are, and they don't know how to handle playing on a team when they are not THE star. Give me the hungry, determined kid over the talented, lazy one every time.
bleed_orange writes:
With Duke out for now, I feel like Brian & Wyane will split the minutes at C and Ryan will give Tyler some rest at the PF. J.P. will give Jajuan some relief at the Wing and maybe take some of Ramar's minutes at PG. Jordan should get his 20 minutes at PG and Chris will get his 25-30 minutes at SG. Jajuan will probally play some at SG with Jordan or J.P. playing some as well at SG. Ramar's minutes will probally go down to around 15 minutes at PG. Duke take it easy and get better soon. We miss you and you are in our prayers. GO BIG ORANGE! BEAT UNC-ASHEVILLE! GO VOLS!
JDS
CoverOrange writes:
Looking forward to seeing inperson Brian start in his hometown on Saturday. I expect he'll be fired up.
bleed_orange writes:
One of the down sides I see with Brian instead of Wayne in the game is even though he is an inch taller he's not as effective on the press. Wayne is alot quicker and gives the guy taking the ball out more problems getting it in to some one. However, in the half-court defense and rebounding Brian is alot better. So, I think they are a good combo to have. They both need to work alot more on their foul shots. GO VOLS!
JDS
DSaVol writes:
WD40..what are you talking about Brian's hometown on Sat? He's from NY and last I checked Xavier was still in Cincy.
marc_ash.. I think everyone on this board knows by now how you feel about Williams. It would be nice if you didn't defend him or explain for him every time his name appears in a post. Chill out man - before we start to believe you have more than just fan appreciation for him.
As for FOOLmer haters - I am one. I am also a believer in BP. So it is perfectly possible to be both as one has absolutely nothing to do with the other. Although I am getting a bit bored with all the hype BP draws. That is NOT a slam on BP either. He simply did what needed to be done the last 2 years but now the media keeps blowing up the same old stories and at times I believe it detracts from what the PLAYERS are actually achieving despite BP's efforts to put the focus on them. Just my humble opinion folks.
mattlock writes:
TouchdownTN,
game film? a couple of times? lmao
CoverOrange writes:
Brain fart DSa. Childress is from Cincy.
Ironcity writes:
Williams did play his senior year at a prep school in Cincy. Lets hope that Chism gets his stuff together. For every game like the last one Williams had we may see a line of 2 pts 4 rebounds and 5 fouls in 10 minutes. We are going to need Chism to play well if we expect this to be a special year. Everything from Williams is a bonus and a credit to coach Pearls coaching. Also expect Ramar to take the point spot back soon. He is far more talented player then Howell. I think its harder on some players then others to adjust to the fact that they are not the MAN on the team. Once Ramar figures that out and can adjust his game, this team will really take off.
budd#207344 writes:
mattlock don't you watch TDTN's show. Its on every night
or day
or once a week
or
well sometime
ballewville6 writes:
i agree with creepy that wayne shoots too much behinde the arc trey are good if you hit them but he threw up a couple of airballs against nc ashville he needs to get inside were he is at his best,cris getting 24 makes me think that he is getting back in the groove from last year that willl help alot go vols
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