Bruce Pearl smiled Thursday and said his banged-up senior center Wayne Chism has "a little Willis Reed" in him.
The reference was to the former New York Knick's dramatic, limping entrance into Madison Square Garden to inspire the Knicks to victory in the 1970 NBA playoffs.
Chism will play through pain Saturday when No. 2 Kentucky visits Tennessee. But the problem is - to continue the Reed analogy - the Vols don't have a Dave DeBusschere to play alongside Chism.
Chism, slowed by a variety of injuries, saw limited practice Thursday as the No. 19 Vols (21-7, 8-5 SEC) prepare for the noon (TV: WVLT) start against the Wildcats (26-1, 11-1).
"Wayne will play,'' Pearl said. "But in order to play effectively, he needs to practice.
"There's a little Willis Reed in Wayne. That's OK, as long as it has that kind of ending.''
Chism's last outing didn't have a storybook ending.
He got in early foul trouble and played only 15 minutes in a 75-62 loss at Florida. And since Chism continues to be UT's only reliable inside presence, his absence for any length of time is difficult to overcome.
Kentucky, meanwhile, is one of the biggest and most physical teams in the nation. The Vols need every hand on deck.
"The big thing,'' said Pearl, "will be if we can just get some consistency from another forward.
"It's just that we need one more guy inside.''
The candidates - in the post-Tyler Smith era - are Brian Williams, Kenny Hall, Steven Pearl and Renaldo Woolridge.
Hall, the freshman, has the biggest upside, but he played 13 minutes at Florida with virtually no statistical presence.
"Defensively,'' Pearl said, "Kenny has got some ability. But he's got to prove to me he's got basketall IQ, or he's got to be willing to learn.''
And Chism has to keep his battered body on the court more than 15 minutes. He contributed only seven points and one rebound at Florida, picking up his fourth foul with 16:01 to play.
"In that particular game, Wayne made some bad decisions,'' Pearl said.
To Start Or Not To Start: Pearl said Scotty Hopson's positive reaction to coming off the bench - a team-leading 20 points - raises the dilemma of whether or not to reward Hopson by reinstating him as a starter.
"That answer,'' Pearl said, "is, 'Does Bobby (Maze) and Melvin (Goins) keep him on the bench?'
"I don't think Melvin, in three starts, has played well. He's played better coming off the bench also.
"There could be a mix-and-match there.''
Harris Finalist: November signee Tobias Harris is one of six finalists for the national Naismith High School Player of the Year Award.
The others are: Deshaun Thomas of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Jared Sullinger of Columbus, Ohio, both bound for Ohio State; Harrison Barnes of Ames, Iowa, who will play at North Carolina; Kyrie Irving of West Orange, N.J., a Duke signee; Brandon Knight of Fort Lauderdale, who is expected to sign with Kentucky, Kansas or UConn.
The announcement from the Atlanta Tipoff Club is March 23.
OUTLIVE Shirts: Pearl hopes Kentucky fans will support a good cause - up to a point.
Fans are encouraged to buy and wear orange OUTLIVE shirts Saturday to raise funds for cancer screening. The campaign was inspired by ex-Vol Chris Lofton's early detection and successful treatment of testicular cancer.
"Every day,'' Pearl said, "I hear from another friend or person that got a cancer discovery and most of the time they're positive stories because they were detected in time to get the right treatment.
"I even hope the fans that are buying those tickets that I know are Kentucky fans paying those big bucks, I hope they'll at least have the decency to buy an orange shirt.
"They may not wear it, but maybe go ahead and buy one.''
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Comments » 54
sandiegovolunteer writes:
Chism needs to play hard but the cheap silly fouls away from the basket are killing him.
Ironcity writes:
Goins has been nothing short of horrible as a starter. For a point guard he has zero IQ. He really plays hard on defense but wastes so much energy 40 feet from the goal and almost always forces his guy into driving for a lay up. That would be fine if we had a big shot blocker but we have the worst shot blocking team in the league. As for his offensive game he is a really poor passer for a point guard, he takes way to many chances, doesn't reward players who work hard for position and tends to monopolize the offense when he is on the court. He does have ability to get in the paint and get shots but he does it usually at the wrong time. I can see talent in his game and I hope he starts to get it but I am not optimistic.
As most probably can figure I just don't like his game right now and I would bench him until he starts understanding what his roll should be which is create opportunities for the rest of the team on offense and to keep the opposing point guard out of the lane.
w4tey#282182 writes:
The Vols dependence on Chism was never more evident than in the Florida game. With him injured and on the bench for most of the game the Gators dominated in the paint. Not being able to depend on anyone inside for offense was catastrophic for the Vols on the offensive end of the court. Just too much to ask of only 2 or 3 players that could be considered offensive threats when he was out. I hope Chism can be effective Saturday. He deserves a lot of credit for Tennessee's success during his career and will be sorely missed next year regardless of the talent coming in.
Cartersvillevol writes:
Dude, did you just fall off the tater truck?
That's one of the most ridiculous comments I've seen.
IPUTONFORTN writes:
That doesn't make any sense. Chism has been Tennessee's best big man since he was a freshman. He also has a good chance of playing in the NBA next year. What are you talking about?
bmaples writes:
I think Pearl is doing an excellent job of coaching this year -- actually better than in previous years, frankly. And apparently Tater and Ellison truly are Pearl-haters, as well as player-haters. Too bad -- they're missing out on some great Vol moments, I think.
volsn3 writes:
Steven Pearl vs Kenny Hall....Hmmmm
Ironcity writes:
Do you think Tater Vol writes about 150 posts in a word file every weekend and then just cuts and past them in every evening when the new articles come out?
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I think tatervol is really Dave Hooker... and I'm drunk!!! hee hee
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
He doesn't know that many words! hee hee hee
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
tater "vol"
You are PATHETIC!!!! What's sad is that I'm more believable drunk than you are sober! Or maybe you're always super duper drunk when you get on here!! anyway, think of something new, your routine's getting old.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
bmaples,
best thing to do is ignore them... I know I don't, but that's because right now I'm drunk and have lost all my inhibitions. when I am sober I dont respond.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
IDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOTIDIOT
Get it yet?
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I don't know about a man crush, but I'd love to mash your head right now! You make no sense at all! try another screen name!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Happy Mardi Gras!!! Know I'm a little late...
Bogytrain writes:
Tater-head has Pearl-Envy, pure and simple. It's so bad, he makes stuff up just to tear it down.
He's bragging about Calimari "coaching" kids that are at Kentucky because they are not allowed to play in the NBA yet. I mean, that's about as dumb as it gets right there.
If Pearl had 4 NBA players in his starting line-up, he's not losing any games. In 5 years, he's had 1 NBA player. Basketball is a players game. With what he's had, Pearl has been close to excellent. Is their any doubt Kentucky has loads more talent than us??
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
okay, this is a serious question... did some white guy really piss you off a long time ago??
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
C.J. Watson - Golden State!!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
You should go back to Idaho and have a family reunion!! hee hee hee
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Yawwwn! running out of material, are we? must be tough having to come up with something new every day. you suck as a comedian, btw.
tnaseevol writes:
Good one!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
wow... flag on the play! I suggested removal! we'll see what happens!
If you can't discuss this in a civilized manner, please find a site with your poor taste.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
don't you have school in the morning? Or did you get expelled early this year, little boy?
Bogytrain writes:
Yeah, I'm watching what Calimari has done with Wall and Cousins tonight. I've been thinking all along - where would these guys be without Calimari?? Lucky for them, he may get them in the NBA someday.....
I would call you an idiot, but I know it's just entertainment for you to get all these UT fans stirred up. You do have a bad case of Pearl-Envy though. That's obvious and it's OK.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
tater's upset cause he lost his calamari inflatable doll... I suggested he put a picture on milk cartons, but I haven't heard back from him since.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
LIAR...
First of all, no one would consider you a colleague...
Second, I doubt you have the intellectual capacity to earn a degree from the South Hampton Institute of Technology!! hee hee hee
Bogytrain writes:
Calimari is an excellent coach, this is not debatable. Pearl is also an excellent coach. Calimari appears to be a much better recruiter at this point in their careers. But Pearl has beaten him twice with lesser teams. Errrr.... make that three times (wink).
Bogytrain writes:
Pearl-envy, yep. Without it, there is no reason for you to be here......
schymtz writes:
This board is really bankrupt tonight. Less than 48 hrs before Kentucky comes to town...bye!
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
If one did, I sincerely hope it was me!
newtonrail writes:
You are right. Of course Tater, formerly Morristown and bunch more names, and poor, poor Naffy Ellison. What can I say? When you are dealing with a racist and lunatic, there's no hope.
UKblue02 writes:
I hope Wayne can play Saturday, i have nothing but respect for him, a class act on the hardwood.
easleychuck writes:
He has been "dunked" on by us his whole pitiful existence but remember he is actually KNS.
wildcatbasketball writes:
ALL VOL Fans...I have posted this before....WHY does anyone respond to TATER VOL.....this guy/gal is an idiot and I do not know why anyone reponds to his/her posts.
He/She just posts BS on here to get anyone to respond and you all do!!! Why?
PLEASE...NO one respond...let him/her have their rants with no response!!
wildcatbasketball writes:
UKblue02---I agree...Chism is a leader and class act!!!
Big Blue took out a little kick Azz revenge against SC tonight!!
easleychuck writes:
You mean ole Calcheat who was 58 seconds away from a NCAA championship with a 9 point lead but couldn't close the deal.
Probably best, it would have just been vacated for, oh yeah, Calcheat = cheating.
But "he" didn't know anything about the test score, yeah right, he knew that Rose was incapable of getting a passing score and then wow it happened. The NCAA clearing house at their finest, score should have been flagged and taken down after a proper investigation before he ever saw the floor.
And who was it out-coached Calcheat in the lovely Pyramid that year, oh yeah, the one and only Coach Bruce Pearl.
Go_BIg_Blue writes:
" GO BIG BLUE "
Go_BIg_Blue writes:
Theses comments are getting so true about how the Vols have been playing this year. This is the statement of the year!!
brentrod writes:
we know wildcat. he is a royal idiot along with the kool-aid moron. pearl is a great coach, and anyone who knows basketball knows that. those morons need to stick to football and switch over to nascar now that it is back in action. i just wish that pearl had known more about tyler smith's behavior off the court but he can't stay stuck up his but 24/7.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
That had to be a bitter pill for the Dawgs to swallow. Their PG, Ware, was the leading free-throw-percentage guy in the conference, and he bricked two free throws that would have given Georgia a two-point lead with seconds to go in regulation.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I think I agree with you and CBP that Goins is better coming off the bench right now. I'm still wondering what happened to Josh Bone. I can hardly recall seeing him on the court since the Ole Miss game. I don't know if he is hurt, in the doghouse, or just lost in the shuffle. Nothing at all wrong in my mind with having two PGs on the court together, but they need to be the two most productive ones, and Goins' production has fallen since he has been starting.
Gumby#1381110 writes:
I'm wondering the same thing. Josh Bone certainly could give us some offense that Steven Pearl can't, even though they play different positions. We have toyed with Maze and Goins in the starting lineup, I wonder why we don't try a combination that includes Bone, maybe Maze and Bone, because Goins is playing terrible right now. Also I'd like to see Kenny Hall get more playing time, I think he will develop into a great player in time. IMO Pearl and Woolridge should see less playing time.
Longtimevolfan writes:
Calipari a floor coach??? I think not. Who else woud lose a National Championship game after being up 7 with 2 minutes left to play? Califlop is right there with that lame excuse of a football coach we had this past season....a pretty boy. Oh, and if I remember correctly, UT went in to Memphis and beat #1 Mempuss on their home court that same year....better coach, NOT BY A LONG SHOT!
VolunteerLifer writes:
Hall is just a freshman. It isn't fair to expect a freshman to shoulder a critical load for the team. I know that some freshman can do that, but it isn't fair to EXPECT it.
Willams is a junior. He has the size and experience, if not the raw talent. He's the guy who has to carry the load at the other post position. Hall should support Chism and Williams, along with Pearl and/or Woolridge. But the guy who has to step up now is Williams.
Gumby#1381110 writes:
Williams certainly doesn't have raw talent! He is the only player in the country I know of at 6"10/ 6"11 that consistantly gets his shots blocked. Hall is the one that needs to step up IMO and it doesnt matter if he is a freshman, when you put on the UT uniform your expected to give it 100%. But you are right about Williams needing to step up. With his size he should dominate, but he doesn't. He has the right nickname, Big Baby!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Thanks for your respect for Chism... he may be playing next year (hopefully) with your entire team. NBA
Flabbergasted writes:
You have taters for brains.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
With all this dribble; I forgot what the article was about..however I do draw a line when this AH dogs some of our more classy and knowledgeable members such as yourself..GO VOLS
N2Motorsports writes:
Mr. TaterVol, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I did, but I had trouble navigating it... I'm looking for the most recent articles..
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