Chism to make statement

Tennessee junior post Wayne Chism has something in common with referees, defensive backs and goalies: He only gets noticed when he does something wrong.

The old Chism - which is to say, the young Chism who played for the Vols the past two years - didn't seem to mind so much.

But this year's version of Wayne Chism is ready to make a statement with his game, and snubs no longer sit well with him.

Chism was somewhat annoyed at SEC basketball media days in Birmingham last month that he was not chosen by the league's coaches for the preseason All-SEC team.

The latest snub came in Sports Illustrated, where Chism was listed as UT's sixth man while senior Ryan Childress, who has been out with a knee injury since the spring, was projected as the starter at center.

Saturday night, it was Chism's teammates overshadowing him with high-flying accolades in the Vols' 114-75 victory over Chattanooga in the season opener.

While Tyler Smith (21 points), Cameron Tatum (19 points) and Scotty Hopson (17 points) were dunking and 3-point bombing their way into highlights, Chism was slugging it out in the paint.

Chism scored 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting (0-for-4 beyond the 3-point arc) and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds against a Mocs' team that out-rebounded the Vols 46-31 last season.

"Wayne did a good job just knowing it (rebounding) is an area he needs to improve on and focus on,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "When Wayne plays the five (post), he's closer to the basket and it's easier for him to rebound.''

Chism was just relieved not to get pulled out of the game early on account of foul trouble, as was so often the case last season.

"I felt pretty good I wasn't in foul trouble, because that's the first game in a long time I wasn't on the bench with fouls,'' said Chism, who committed two fouls against Chattanooga.

"They started out the game physical, so I said 'I'm going to continue to be physical with them, too,' " Chism said. "I just took it upon myself that we needed to rebound better, and I'm being more consistent scoring inside. . . . I feel like I'm so much better in that area than I was my first two years here.''

UP Next: The Vols play host to UT Martin, an instate opponent they have not played since defeating the Skyhawks 77-50 in 2002.

Tennessee can break the school record for most consecutive home victories with a win; the Vols' streak of 33 in a row matches the mark set between Jan. 2, 1966 and Feb. 24, 1968.

Pearl is 46-2 at Thompson-Boling Arena, his last home loss coming on March 1, 2006, in the Vols' last home game of Pearl's inaugural season as head coach.

Tabb Return: UT junior wing Josh Tabb is expected to return for the UT Martin game. Tabb has been serving an academic suspension and didn't play in either exhibition game or Saturday night's home opener.

No TV: The only Vols' game not to be televised the Dec. 29 home game against Louisiana-Lafayette.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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