Chism has unfinished business

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.’’