Adams: Padgett-driven Cards face Chism roadblock

Photo by Rogelio V. Solis

Boise State's Reggie Larry (24) and Tyler Tiedeman battle Louisville's David Padgett, right, for a rebound during the first half of first round NCAA East Regional basketball game in Birmingham, Ala., Friday, March 21, 2008.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - When Louisville's Terrence Williams heard about teammate David Padgett's injury last November, he cried.

He wasn't just thinking about Padgett, a team leader who had overcome a series of injuries in making it to his senior season. He was thinking about the team.

The Cardinals already were without power forward Juan Palacios, who was sidelined with a knee injury. Then, Padgett, a 6-foot-11 center with a point guard's feel for the nuances of the game, suffered a broken kneecap.

Williams envisioned a once-promising season falling apart before January.

"I went to his (Padgett's) room, and he told me he couldn't play no more," Williams said Wednesday, the day before tonight's Sweet 16 NCAA tournament game against Tennessee. "I walked out of his room and cried in the hallway.

"There is some new technology. You can drive some cars without a key.

"But he's (Padgett is) the key to everything on our team. I knew it wasn't going to work."

Williams wasn't just disappointed. He was angry.

"He did get mad at me for getting hurt," Padgett said. "I knew how badly he wanted me to come back.

"I said, 'I'll be back. Don't listen to anybody (else). I'll be back.'"

Padgett kept his word, Palacios healed as well, and the healthy Cardinals took February with a vengeance, going 8-0 through the heart of their Big East schedule. They showed how they did it last weekend in Birmingham, Ala., beating Boise State by 18 points and Oklahoma by 30 in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.

You could pick up on the Cardinals' attributes just watching them run through Wednesday afternoon's practice at Bobcats Arena. They're a physically imposing, obviously athletic team with more talent than any bunch UT has faced since Memphis. The Tigers might be better at guard, but Louisville's big, aggressive front line is clearly an upgrade.

No one better understands the challenge than UT center Wayne Chism. He often will be matched up against Padgett, who is heady enough to direct the Louisville offense, yet physical enough to win the wars beneath the basket.

"You've got to be physical against them or you're going to get punked," Chism said. "Then, the rest of your team is going to get punked."

You get the sense that Chism is eagerly awaiting the competition. And why not? He's playing the best basketball of his two-year college career.

In the last four games, Chism has 65 points, 21 rebounds and nine blocks. He has hit from the perimeter (5-for-12 on 3s) and with his left hand.

The improved touch with his left hand reflects Chism's work in practice. As teams repeatedly have overplayed him to his right, Chism has developed a counter move.

"Wayne is one of the most underrated players in college basketball," UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "He can guard guards, he can guard inside. He just doesn't get a lot of attention on our team because of the Smith Brothers and because of Chris (Lofton).

"I'm just so proud of Wayne Chism. . . . He's done a wonderful job in the classroom, a wonderful job off the court in community service, and it's wonderful to see the young man just grow up and blossom."

Louisville coach Rick Pitino speaks just as glowingly of Padgett and still marvels how he was playing basketball six weeks after suffering a broken kneecap.

"I just love coaching him," Pitino said when Padgett returned. "It's one of the most enjoyable experiences in my coaching career, coaching him."

Padgett, who transferred to Louisville from Kansas, has come back from more than a broken kneecap. He has had knee surgery, a broken foot and sprained knee ligaments.

Chism also knows something about physical adversity. He suffers from chronic asthma and has to use an inhaler before each game.

But don't worry about Chism being impacted by spring allergies this evening.

"If it's in a hot environment, I'm OK," he said. "There's no pollen, no nothing.

"My asthma is getting better. My freshman year I was out there for two or three minutes (and feeling it). But now, I can play through it."

Chism demonstrated his spring stamina in Sunday's overtime victory over Butler by playing 20 of the last 25 minutes.

He's not just strong enough to finish. He's strong enough to carry his team at times.

And if Padgett is the key to Louisville's car, Chism could be the roadblock to the Elite Eight.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.