Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess // Buy this photo
Tennessee’s Wayne Chism, left, looks to pass around MTSU’s Kevin Kanaskie in a game Nov. 21.
If his team is going to play with the big boys, Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl is counting on his big boys.
Get ready, Wayne Chism.
"Wayne is one of our best players, so there's a lot more at stake with him playing well or not playing well," Pearl said. "We can't beat the best teams on our schedule when our best players don't play well."
UT (8-2) has a couple of those teams lurking just ahead, and that means the 6-foot-9 Chism better be ready.
The No. 16-ranked Vols play host to Louisiana-Lafayette (4-6) on Monday night at Thompson-Boling Arena before taking on two perennial national powers - at Kansas on Saturday and at home against No. 7 Gonzaga on Jan. 7.
UT's losses are to Gonzaga, 83-74, Nov. 30 in Orlando, Fla., and at Temple, 88-72, on Dec. 13.
"Our best players didn't play well at Temple," Pearl said. "They did not play as well as they needed to against Gonzaga. As a result, we lost those two games."
Chism had five points and three rebounds against Gonzaga and 10 points and seven rebounds at Temple.
He was out of the starting lineup for the Dec. 3 home game against UNC Asheville which followed the Gonzaga game and the next game at Temple. He was back in the starting lineup Dec. 16 against Marquette in Nashville and responded with 26 points, 11 rebounds in the Vols' 80-68 win.
Chism got in early foul trouble against Belmont on Dec. 20 and finished with six points on 3-of-6 shooting and 12 rebounds in the 79-77 win.
Consistency is the key for the junior post/forward.
"That's what I'm looking for," Chism said, "but sometimes the fouls will get you out of playing consistent, so I'm trying my best to stay away from foul trouble."
Even if his stats don't always show it, Chism has shown Pearl other signs of consistency.
"His practices have been consistent, his attitude has been more consistent," Pearl said.
Pearl saw that after the Marquette game.
"He was our best defender, he was our best rebounder, he was our best scorer (against Marquette)," Pearl said. "The next game (Belmont) he gets in a little foul trouble and still comes back in the second half to really dominate the boards and make some winning plays, whereas maybe a couple of years ago maybe not getting many shots and not putting up any (scoring) numbers would have bothered him and it didn't."
Chism, the Vols' top rebounder (7.9 per game) and third-leading scorer (11.2), said he's OK with putting rebounds before points.
"The rebounds are going to come first," Chism said. "Other than that, I'm trying to equal them out. I'd just rather go for my rebounds first and score later."
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Comments » 15
cainclifton23 writes:
Weeeeeezy!
cainclifton23 writes:
Chism is a deadly shooter when hes trailing on a play. but hes not as good when he is just spotting up and has to create a shot
TwigInOrange writes:
Pearl wants him to take a 3 or two in a game. It can hit those open looks and it is a major advantage to force the other team's big man out from underneath the basket to defend him.
VolinCalif writes:
I've said it already, I'm comming back to the Jan 7 game with my Grand daughter. She is a student at Gonzaga. This will be the first Bkball game at home in many many years (1955) The loser between the GD and I have to wear the others colors for the rest of the season. I received my (Gonzaga) Buldogs hat as a Xmas present. She clames the loss in Fl counts for something.Well I agreed to wear it but not at the game. So my point is I need some help guys, Be there and yell like H222 for our Vols, this is our preview for Mar mad. I'll be the one with the slickest and shinest head in the stad. I'll be dress in org and yelling like mad. There will be a lovely Blk haired girl dress in Gonzaga colors next to me yelling just as loud. No insults please, it's all for fun and the love of our schools. Go Vols
robot22 writes:
"Chism is a deadly shooter when hes trailing on a play. but hes not as good when he is just spotting up and has to create a shot"
That makes no sense. When he spots up for a shot he is looking to shoot, not create his own shot off the dribble. Chism is a streaky shooter. I wouldn't even call him a good shooter.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Keep your cape on supersmo, it's all gonna' work out!
MidTennVol writes:
I felt the same way last year until I learned something: Pearl WANTS Chism to come out to the perimeter to draw out the 4/5 defender and open up the lane.
Pearl COACHES Wayne to do that and take the 3 when he's out there. This is public knowledge. Watch Pearl's press conferences or listen to his interviews and you will see.
Wayne is around a .325 percent 3 shooter, not bad for a 4 and 5 player. Yes, it drives me nuts when he misses because it seems so unorthodox for a big man to be out there launching threes.
But, again, he is doing what he is coached to do.
THE_VOL writes:
Chism and Consistency should never be used in the same sentence. When he realizes he is NOT ready for the NBA, will NOT be drafted if he leaves after this year, and actually WORKS on developing his skills EVERY day, then, and only then, MIGHT he become a quality player EVERY night. Until then, he's just another immature guy looking for something to be given to him and pouting when it's not. Harsh perhaps but undeniably true.
CT_VOL writes:
Chism is so cute!
eb502us#225637 writes:
Yhe world must be coming to an end, THE_VOL actually posted something that makes sense.
Chism will always be a wanna-be player, one that wants to be good enough to carry the team and then move on to the next level, but doesn't have the internal drive to make it happen.
I'd be shocked if he ever sniffed the NBA.
BigOrangeHustler writes:
Wow, thats a little homo, please tell me you're a girl.
ajbake writes:
his headband placement is consistent
ncvol writes:
You guys have a great time at the game and hopefully UT will come through for you and you won't have to wear Gonzaga's colors...Go Vols!!!
stevefrommemphis writes:
He has been consistent. He has consistently picked up two fouls in the first six minutes of every game. He is a huge contributor when he's on the floor, but he spends too much time on the bench in foul trouble.
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Wow, that's a little bigoted. Please tell me you're just a dumb redneck and not a Tennessee fan.
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