Whenever he moved, two things happened: Somebody fell down and a whistle blew.
Those are Wayne Chism’s unpleasant memories from Tennessee’s 73-69 win over South Carolina in Knoxville on Jan. 17.
A highlight day for the Vols, as it turned out, but a nightmare for Chism.
Tennessee (18-10, 9-5 SEC) is headed to Columbia to play South Carolina (20-7, 9-5) on Thursday night (TV: ESPN, 7 p.m.) with the SEC Eastern Division title at stake. Chism has his fingers crossed that he at least gets to work up a sweat this time.
UT’s junior center played only 11 minutes in the first game. He fouled out with zero points, having attempted only one shot.
UT coach Bruce Pearl doesn’t think Chism got a fair shake from the officials, whom, Pearl said, bought into a couple of “flops” by South Carolina’s Mike Holmes.
“Sometimes some players do that to get you frustrated and get you in foul trouble,’’ Chism said Tuesday.
“And I was very frustrated from the get-go, after I got my first two, ’cause I didn’t feel it was very necessary in the game to do what he (Holmes) was even doing.’’
Early on, Chism was called for charging into Dominique Archie, a close call. On UT’s next possession, Chism was posting up when Holmes crashed to the floor clutching his throat. Another whistle.
It was a pretty good acting job, Pearl said.
“Even the (TV) commentators were talking about a ‘shot to the throat, a blow,’ but it wasn’t a blow,’’ Pearl said.
“Wayne got his arms up at 10 and 2 and as soon as he got his arms up, he (Holmes) falls down.’’
Chism sat the final 17:16 of the first half. He got No. 3 at 17:34 of the second half, another close call that was extremely unpopular with the crowd.
His fourth was a frustration foul near mid-court. When Chism fouled out with 2:36 to play — he earned that fifth one — he ripped off his headband in disgust and marched to the bench.
The 11-minute gig was the shortest of his career since he played nine minutes as a freshman against Mississippi State. It also was his first scoreless game since his freshman year.
“It sucks, sitting,’’ Chism said. “You see your teammates out there struggling and you really want to get out there and help.’’
After watching hours of South Carolina tape, Pearl said Holmes has worked the flop in other games as well. He hopes the officials aren’t buying it Thursday night.
“They (the officials) watch the tape and they watch themselves,’’ Pearl said. “They do a great job, they really do. It’s a hard game to work.’’
It’s a hard game to play some nights, as Chism found out.
Thursday he’s got to be careful until he feels out how the game will be called — and yet not so careful he surrenders his aggressiveness.
“That (first) game it really took it away,’’ he said. “Because I couldn’t touch the person the whole game. Every time it was a touch it was a foul.
“I’ve got to move on from it. He’s a good player and I’ve got to get ready to play him at their house.’’
Holmes is averaging 11 points and 7.7 rebounds. Sam Muldrow, a 6-foot-9 sophomore, moved into the starting lineup after the Jan. 17 game, with Archie moving to small forward.
Muldrow, Archie and Holmes accounted for 14 of the 16 blocked shots in Carolina’s recent win over Kentucky.
“Kentucky is like us,’’ said Pearl, “they like to get the ball inside. Kentucky pounded the ball inside and they (South Carolina) pounded it back.’’
Chism welcomes the challenge. All he asks is an equitable whistle.
“I hope we get to battle inside this time,’’ he said, “because it’s not fun sitting on the bench and not playing.’’
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 69
yeavols#228407 writes:
GO VOLS..tar and feather the buzzards.
JacksonvilleVol writes:
Gamecocks are going to have to work hard to beat us. Go Vols!
golfballs03 writes:
Let Maze, Hopson, Tabb, and Tatum keep shooting 3s
Jonboy writes:
Refs always call fouls on Chism
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Get the ball to Chism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GahLee writes:
If we can stop their point guard, little guy, his name escapes me, he was a terror. Get the ball in the paint early and often with Chism, Smith and Williams. That should open up the outside for open jumpers. More importantly we need to hit our free throws, I get sick watching 14-25 performances. Go Vols!!!
VOLKING writes:
Still sore about Sunday, huh? Must suck to be you. I know you're just trying to rile us up, but even an idiot would wait until their team could actually beat us to yap his trap. But, if you would like more punishment...come on back and start trash talking, and I'll send it right back. 79-75 and 7 out of 8.
bluetick writes:
Here's a great breakdown of the SEC tourney from the gamecock site. We need to win this one!
http://southcarolina.rivals.com/conte...
Go Vols!
GahLee writes:
Let J.P. run the point some, sometimes he tries to hard, trying to make something out of nothing but he has the best ability to get in the lane and dish to his teammates. Tabb should see plenty of playing time because of his defensive ability. Maybe he can stop their point guard or at least contain him. Does anybody know that kids name?
orangevolz writes:
DISCLAIMER: DO NOT RESPOND TO ANYTHING THAT GATORZZZ OR RAMMERJAMMER POSTS. THEY DO NOTHING BUT POST THEIR HATE ON HERE TRYING TO GET RESPONSES FROM EVERYONE. UT FANS ARE TAKING THE BAIT SO THE IDIOTS ARE GETTING EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT. CLICK ON GATORZZ'S USER NAME AND YOU WILL SEE HE HAS 2046 POSTS ON THIS BOARD. HE SPENDS HALF OF HIS WAKING LIFE ON OUR BOARD. PLEASE IGNORE HIM AND DO NOT RESPOND TO HIS IDIOTIC POSTS. IF YOU DON'T IGNORE HIM, HE WILL HIJACK THE THREAD.
GahLee writes:
Gatorzz does nothing but try to stir the pot, he never has anything of importance to say. It's either the Vols suck or the Gators are the best thing since sliced bread. No matter what the topic is, it must be a mundane life he lives.
GahLee writes:
sorry O, was typing when you posted that, you beat me to it. I'd like to ignore him and DC and Rammer but sometimes the things they say are so dumb that [ I think that I am speaking for everyone ] that I feel compelled to tell them so.
huntined#565710 writes:
Was by the GATORS gym today..They had a sign that read...
If you want to rent this gym please call BRUCE PEARL as he is the new OWNER...
TkelynN writes:
Run the diamond and one against Devan Downey, box out, knock down some 3's and win the east! We just have to play more aggressive at all times!
huntined#565710 writes:
Downey is QUICK... don't know if we have a player that can keep up with him..
We should be strong on the inside..But will have to play good defense to win
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
gonna be a helluva tough game. oddly, the pressure is on USC, as they will be favored and are at home. it is also their big chance to win the SEC east outright.
I'd of course like us to win, but won't be heartbroken if we do not. I'm pretty certain we'll be in the NCAA's now, but likely won't last too long. That's okay too, just hasn't been a VOL year in any major sport.
CBP, get us some shooting guards, would ya??
givehim6 writes:
keep a cool head, don't think about last game or what the gamp means. Level headed thinking take care of business, and win! I think USC will try to get UT mad & out of there game.
NorthwestVol writes:
VK, I understand your frustation with z, but it's best if we ignore him. Sort of like a pesky bug buzzzzzzing around the camp fire.
Don't lower yourself to his standards.
NorthwestVol writes:
It's best if we ignore z. Sort of like a pesky bug buzzzzzzing around the camp fire.
Don't lower yourself to his standards. You are beter than that.
xvolx writes:
this team would be a lot better if tyler smith would quit thinking he has to take over at times shoot circus shots. I've also noticed that he doesn't like to play defense. Try playing with the rest of the team.
NorthwestVol writes:
Sorry. If I'm going t give advice I should spell it correctly. beter = better
utucla writes:
Chism only needs to worry about showing up....hopefully he didn't use up his 1 good game out of every 5 against FL...I'm amazed more when he plays a good game...I've come to expect him to normally not show up...I'm only on his case so much because I expect more out of him....he can be dominant when he wants to be..but maybe that's all he can be...dominant every once in a while....
newtonrail writes:
Hopson and Tatum are going to have to do until 2010. With numbers available a point guard hopefully from Iron City is all he can add. Dave Odom must have taught this group " flopping" before he left. I can't remember the name of the player who graduated a couple of years ago who had the "flop"l down pat.
utmdm writes:
You cannot convince the stupid that they are stupid so you should just ignore them all.
friendut writes:
Please do not respond to this fool. It gives him a gatorgasm.
txvolsfan writes:
YAWN
VolJunkie writes:
Not just Wayne, we will need a good inside game to beat USC. Hopefully Brian William's new found soft hands will be there, would like to see him carry-over his performance from the FL game. I hate to think that officiating could have that big an impact on such an important game but it is obviously front of mind with Wayne and CBP.
Agree with the other posters, ignore the jackasses, they are simply looking for attention. This is not directed towards several civil posters from rival schools, always enjoy hearing from you guys.
Go Vols!
UKblue02 writes:
Beware of the shot blocking monsters in the paint for SC they aren't very nice! :(
crappieking writes:
Agreed. He spends all of his time on our board because of the following:
His board su_ks.
He has no job.
His parents give him money.
He's gay.
He's mentally challeged.
His Gators su_k.
Basketball_Jones writes:
Chism is all talk....blah blah blah...he needs to learn to be a consistent, dominant big man before he runs his pie hole
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Chism is not an humble person as far as I can tell.
He is however our inside hope against SC.
b_neas writes:
SC will probably get the benefit of the doubt on those calls again, especially since they are at home.
volnut2003#230318 writes:
GatorZZZ,
"Custer" faired pretty well in Gainsville!
jasonn1970 writes:
Hopefully this time around it will be a basketball game instead of a flop-fest. The officials need to be aware of this tactic and force the kid to actually play the game.
1volk-nowi-tall writes:
Glad to see some others have a concern about officiating. I have harped for several years about the lack of respect that UT players get from referees. Some of it they have brought on by getting in the face of opponents. We probably have lead the league in technical fouls over the past few years. When these young men learn to let their play do the talking they will be so much better. Yet as you watched even the Florida game you saw Calaisus protected by the officials as he clearly should have picked up his 4th foul charging into Prince. It will be interesting to watch this game and see if the game officials can be totally objective and open minded in their calls. They tend to pick on Chism, Williams and Prince in particular....Gut calls are few and far between in the game of BB as of late. What they usually do is make the call of "LEAST RESISTANCE". The Dale Kelly's and Don Rutledge's are certainly a thing of the past.
volonthehill writes:
Lighten up guys, geez ... I thought this was kinda clever. Simple, to the point.
kixaround writes:
We all consider the source since your Gators will be lucky to be a 16-seed in the NIT
DonJuan writes:
I think Williams could have a big night. It's harder to block the shots of someone who is big and not just tall. His passing, rebounding and trash buckets could be huge. Gotta stay cool, though.
mattlock writes:
Sayeth the fan of the team we own in basketball. . .thanks.
VolJunkie writes:
"Let your play do the talking ...", an age old adage that still holds true. I think the very reason that Chism, Williams, and Prince don't get the benefit of the doubt is that they have this "who me" look every time they get whistled for even the most obvious foul. Quit showing up the officials, shut-up and play ball. CBP will take care of working the officials, the players just need to take care of the game. I know it can be tough to keep those emotions in check, but it is part of playing bb at this level. JMO.
Go Vols!
Rockytop38 writes:
If we stay with Downey and shut him down and play like we did against Florida it should be a win although it could be close. Need to play tenacious defense.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Yeah, I couldn't believe how many blocks they got on your guys. Our guys aren't very consistent about getting their balance and then giving strong pump fakes before they go up. A lot of times, they seem to try to put up delicate little shots on their tip-toes with their knees locked so they don't get any explosion toward the rack. Those are the very shots that get sent back most often. They also need to know when to pass it back out; the way we have shot from outside the last couple of games, they might be readier to do that now. One can always hope! GO VOLS!!! BARBECUE THE CHICKENS!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Sometimes I think he plays the game in his own head a bit too much. When he directs his attention outward onto the floor, he can be a great player; when he broods about missed shots or the officials...not so much.
murrayvol writes:
Don't give up the ship newtie. Change may be coming in the postseason.
Re "flopping": Pearl can mitigate some of that with a pregame heads up to the officials.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I agree that Williams, Chism, and Prince often get bad calls or no-calls, but they also pout and whine more than most good players. All of them at times try to be too "cute" with their gestures, gripes, and general body language. When they do that, the refs think they are trying to "show them up", and, this late in the season and their careers, they have a reputation for it that causes refs to WANT to call stuff on them. Players should let the HC worry about working the refs; players have to just shut up and play.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Exactly! If I had seen your reply first, I wouldn't have offered mine!
DonJuan writes:
I graduated from UTM, and my source is someone very close to the men's and women's programs.
Lester was a recruit from Memphis with serious interest from several schools, some of which were SEC. While in high school some junk happened (not sure if it was grades or something else), but the word I heard is that he didn't graduate high school. Needless to say interest in him dropped to zero. UTM worked with him to get him eligible, and here he is.
DonJuan writes:
It is the only recorded Quadruple-Double on any level.
VolJunkie writes:
John, no worries, always good to hear from you ... by the way, I agree with your earlier post! ;)
Ironcity writes:
Chism may have a better 3pt shoot but he is not in the same league with Patterson.
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