Senior Wayne Chism said Tennessee had a lot to prove Wednesday night, and he took it upon himself to make sure the Vols proved it.
Chism played the most complete game of his college career, leading the Vols with 18 points while posting career highs with six assists and five steals in UT’s 88-71 victory over Charlotte (10-4) at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The 16th-ranked Vols (11-2) recovered momentum after the arrests and subsequent suspensions of four players: Tyler Smith, Brian Williams, Cameron Tatum and Melvin Goins.
The players face misdemeanor drug and weapons charges after they were stopped on New Year’s Day in Knoxville for speeding with two pistols and a bag of marijuana in a rental car they borrowed during a trip to Nashville.
Scotty Hopson scored 17 points, Bobby Maze had 13, Kenny Hall added 12 and Renaldo Woolridge and J.P. Prince added 10 apiece for UT.
“We had a lot to prove,’’ said Chism, who scored 16 of his points through the game’s first 15 minutes and also blocked three shots. “There is a lot on our shoulders right now.’’
Tennessee’s next game is at 4:30 p.m. Sunday against Kansas, the first No. 1-ranked team to play in Knoxville since Kentucky in 1966.
“We won’t catch anybody by surprise now,’’ UT coach Bruce Pearl said. “I didn’t even know what to expect tonight.’’
The 49ers rallied from an early 5-0 deficit to take a 14-11 lead, but the Vols responded with the first of their two 14-0 first-half runs.
Maze recorded a steal and dunked to give UT a 51-29 lead heading into the half, much to the delight of the 17,023 fans who rose to their feet and cheered the Vols loudly as they headed into their locker room at halftime.
It was the smallest home crowd since Dec. 1, 2006, when the Vols drew 16,807 for Murray State, but it was easily the loudest of the season.
“I’ve been dreaming of playing in front of a crowd like that since I’ve been playing ball,’’ said Hall, a freshman who matched his career-high with five rebounds while also playing a career-high 20 minutes. “I’ve never heard TBA get that loud since I’ve been here.’’
Charlotte wasn’t done. The 49ers went on a 21-2 run early in the second half, drawing within 56-50 when Dijuan Harris drove to the basket for two of his team-high 16 points.
Pearl called timeout with 12:58 left to settle the Vols.
“I had to get them to calm down, I had to get some structure in our sets, and I had to get the ball inside,’’ Pearl said. “Basically, I said, ‘Look, we said this would happen, now how are we going to handle it?’ ’’
Hall responded with a baseline jumper to get the Vols’ their first field goal in nearly three minutes.
Moments later, Woolridge hit a 3-pointer, and then Skylar McBee hit back-to-back threes to push the lead up to 67-54 with 9:51 remaining.
The 49ers, 87-65 victors at Louisville earlier this season, failed to get within single digits the rest of the game.
“Those were huge shots, but that’s why (McBee) is here,’’ Pearl said. “He’s supposed to take those shots and make those shots — that’s my expectation for him, he’s a shooter.’’
The Vols were 8-of-23 shooting beyond the 3-point arc, and the eight made treys were UT’s most since the third game of the season against East Carolina.
Pearl was also relatively pleased with his point guard play, as Maze had just one turnover and junior transfer Josh Bone didn’t commit any turnovers in the 13 minutes he ran the point.
But it all came back to Chism, according to the UT players.
“Wayne was a beast, and seeing him go off gave me energy,’’ Hall said.
Woolridge, who had a team-high seven rebounds and played a career-high 27 minutes, said Chism’s inspired play gave the team confidence.
“We all fed off Wayne and worked hard,’’ Woolridge said. “We looked to him. I was on his Rocky Top League team this summer, and showed a lot of leadership there and led us to the championship.’’
Pearl was proud of his team, but he cautioned them not to get too carried away with the win.
“It’s important the players don’t celebrate this very much,’’ Pearl said. “Feel good about it, but with Kansas and the SEC (schedule) staring us in the face, we know what challenges lie ahead.’’
Pearl added he didn’t have any further information on if or when any of the suspended players might return.
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Comments » 163
VolInIndy writes:
Yeah, Go Vols
sandiegovolunteer writes:
I said recently this is the best thing ever to happen to Chism. He will stand on like a monster now!
Phowell23 writes:
Hatvol on Volnation and other Pearl haters are going to be surprised when they see the final score!
Fryinpansvols writes:
Go win for our boys! I'm glad that team overcame adversity to get this win. GBO!
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
WOW
crimsonviper writes:
Good job on stepping up,,,,GBO!
DT4Vols writes:
coach'em up Pearl! Next is Kansas...Tennessee will not have to rebuild they are just reloading.
Fryinpansvols writes:
I mean "I'm glad our team overcame adversity."
newportvol writes:
Wow i loved watching this team.. Made me remember the Lofton And Jujan days..I liked this Offense.. I think instead of waiting for Tyler to make a play.. Every single player went and got "theres" when they had the ball they went for the hoop.. Keep it up Men!! GO Vols
TennHillbilly writes:
Good job guys. All Vol fans are proud of you. Keep working hard and get ready for Kansas.
LEXKYVOLS writes:
DID ESPN360 have Tyler Smith as the image for the game link? Great WIN! No matter what happens, I will always be proud of my VOLS!
newportvol writes:
I dunno about Wayne..But i do know who lit the fire uder Hopson.. After That time out he came out and played some ball..
volsn3 writes:
NUMBER ONE COMING IN SATURDAY.....I JUST HOPE THAT THEY CAN KEEP IT RESPECTABLE
Fryinpansvols writes:
Wish I could have seen the game, but I work nights and I was sleeping. I agree with sandiegovolunteer this got Wayne going and time for him to take over his team. GBO!
richvol writes:
That was not a good Charlotte team we beat but it was nice to see some guys step up. That's definately the first time I have seen coach Pearl get mad at these guys for loafing and playing sloppy however. It was great to see him finally get in Hopson's face and he responded with better play.
Hall is so much better than Williams...he should have been getting all of Williams minutes before now. Woolridge played much better and so did Maze.
They are still taking too many quick three pointers and the commentators kept mentioning it as well. Why we came out so flat and let Charlotte back in the game to start the second half is the continuing problem with discipline with this team. Glad to see Pearl get their attention and get back to playing properly.
vol_4_fan writes:
Nice game to come out and play as a team. There will be tough times ahead, but as long as Chism & Hopson led this bunch they will get help from some others namely Woolridge & Hall have a big up side. Nice job everyone! Go Vols & CBP
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Wow...sure wish I'd been there to see that! Listening to the first half was amazing, and I was proud of the fans for the strong support. Wayne and the rest of the guys deserve this win. Now let's bring it again to Kansas! GBO!
makelemonade writes:
Way to step up guys. 6 Scholarships player, all 6 in double figures. Excellent. Now keep it up when the Jaychickens come to town.
lisah0328 writes:
Tyler Who???? Way to go Big Orange!!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Everybody has to hope that KU really rolls in the 2d half because the last I saw they were in a really tight game with CORNELL at Kansas just before half-time. If KU survives a nail-biter or, heaven forbid, LOSES, they will come in breathing fire on Sunday. Still, I think the Vols will be OK this year, whether any of the "drivin', smokin', topin', totin' fools" come back or not. For sure, CBP has NO EXCUSE at all for not putting the hammer down on those guys. They had better PERFECT the "mea-culpa crawl" if they EVER hope to wear the Orange again.
VolBall writes:
Observations: Hall is head and shoulders the player Williams is, Chism was a beast in the 1st half and will have a terrific remainder of the season, Bone has the ability to be better than Goins, Woolridge has sick potential but I wish he would quit taking the threes, Prince should never under any circumstances ever again think about taking a jumper outside of 15 feet, McBee is not an SEC caliber player, Hopson needs to have his jersey tugged on more by Pearl and start playing tougher, Coach Pearl does his best coaching when it's "back against the wall, undermanned" situation.
TopTenn writes:
They are playing team ball now. Good job. GBO!!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Great job VOLS! I have said before that I thought this team would be better off without the other four, than with them. Chism is "THE MAN", especially the first half, but overall most everybody played great! They definitely played with more focus and heart. Yes, there were a few lapses here and there, and still too many three's jacked, but...."Lets hear it for the boys, Lets give the boys a hand"! Great job!!!!
VOLS..TCB..Keep on keeping on..GBO!!!!!
coachck61 writes:
Tyler WHO !!! The Vols played more like a team tonite than they have all year ! Pearl coached his a## off and Chism was a beast in the 1st half , if he can put two halves together he'll be unstopable ! GO VOLS !!!!!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
After that brilliant first half, Wayne started wandering around the perimeter again for most of the second half, which was of course when Charlotte came roaring back. If he would just continue to post up strong, the others will have more open shots outside and Hall can clean up the misses inside. If these guys will just keep their heads and continue to believe in themselves, they will be just fine. BTW, I do not agree with the poster who said Charlotte was not a good team. They have had some inexplicably bad losses but they DID hammer Louisville by TWENTY-TWO on Louisville's home court, the same Louisville who played UK tough at Rupp.
UrbanFavre writes:
Actually this "not very good Charlotte team" blew out Louisville and gave Georgia Tech a very close game. They are also one of the top teams in the A-10 who is rated as a tougher conference than the SEC in the latest polls. This is a great win for the guys. I think the offense is better without those 4 and that Kenny Hall will be a monster in the future...heck he already is now!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Great showing by a team that has a totally different starting line up. Team looked united and woolridge looked better than he has all season. Hall will only get better and better..Pearl better teach this team how to play against a zone defense; Memphis accidentally went to a zone when we were about to turn the game to a blow out; Charlotte came out the second half and did the same; Both times it allowed them to get back in the game..
VOLKING writes:
Where are the Memphis fans tonight? Too much orange? lol
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Best thing about the game: TN was 38% on 3 pointers. Scotty was 3-5, McBee was 2-4, and Swiperboy was 2-5!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
In his defense, McBee hit two big threes in a row to help head off that Charlotte come-back. Indeed, it looked like CBP put the fear of God in Hopson during that time-out. He was a different player after that. I agree completely with everything else you said.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
THE GRABBING OF SCOTTY'S JERSEY=THE PLAY OF THE GAME!!!>>>>All because Charlotte had cut it to 6, and after that is when they pulled away again!!! Other than the drought, I am very proud of this performance!!!
As another poster put it, "Tyler Who???" I don't want the other guys to come back because we do not need them, except for depth..but we can work with that...Vol fans, we are so much better w/o those losers!!
GBO!!!!
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Wayne's line:
Min-30 FG 5-7 3Pt 1-3 FT 7-8 Reb-5 Ast-6 TO-3 Stl-5 Blk-3 Pts-18
Awesome!
cc623 writes:
I know Charlotte is not a "world-beater" but,tonight this group of VOLS made us the fans proud with the inspired play!!!This group of kids would blow the doors off the team that beat Memphis on New Year's Eve.This finally looks like a CBP coached team and they performed much better than expected!!!
Adversity brings forth true character and EFFORT to overcome.Thank You VOLS for the best showing of this ENTIRE season!!!
mciahf#240671 writes:
this was never really about Charlotte. This was about kids who had their whole world rocked this week and came out focused on the task at hand. GREAT job guys!!!!!!! I'm not worried about Kansas anymore. These guys will rise to the occasion, and, even it they lose, they're still Vols and I'm really proud of them!
VolJunkie writes:
Have to quit referring to the team as "short-handed"; this is UT basketball for the foreseeable future. Best game of the year, lost my voice after the second missed traveling call against Charlotte. Great effort, props to CBP and the staff for having these guys ready. Should be fun on Sunday!
Go Vols!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
WE are not better off by losing 4 scholarship players..Kansas will hammer us down low because of the size and experience that has been lost;But like you; Iam behind these kids good or bad and was proud of the team effort!!!
tapeworm writes:
Tyler came back to school primarily to improve his draft stock as a 3. So far, no go - either on or off the court. He may not even make it in Europe now. I say get him out of the lineup no matter what. He's taking time away from the development of actual team players, and his actions off the court suggest he doesn't have the judgment required of a senior leader.
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Just read on one of the more prominent TN boards that Tyler and Williams are gone, and Tatum and Goins will return....
NorthwestVol writes:
Some room for improvement but a great start to the 'new' season.
TSNVol writes:
Before tonight coach Pearl had blinders on. Now he has had a chance to see those players he may have had a question about.
IMO tonight's starting five has been the best all year. WHAT A GAME GUYS!
This Volunteer team we saw tonight played like a "team".
CONGRATS TENNESSEE!!! GO VOLS!!!!
TSNVol writes:
WE DON'T NEED THEM!
10SCVOL writes:
"Reloading"? Not a great choice of words.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Way to go!! but why grabbing the jerseys? I don't think that is necessary.
texasvol73 writes:
So where are all the people who were ready to fire BP? Ha.. great win and a great coach. It will be tough to beat KU, but I think this season may not be as bad as expected. Go Vols and Coach Bruce Pearl!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
McBee is just a walk on freshman who is trying to rise to sec playing level; He's improved his shot selection;learned not to panic when pressured and is slowly getting better on defense...His sole purpose is to shot 3's and by march he will probably be fairly good at that..With all this playing time he will be deadly his junior year!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Ya'll notice anyone missing tonight??? Another song for you...."Where have all the trolls gone...long time passing, where have all the trolls gone....after the VOLS rolled. Where have all the trolls gone....When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn"???This song was called in to be dedicated to Greasy Tater, MTV and all you others. For more dedications, just let me know and I will be happy to oblidge. The request line is now open.......
VOLS..TCB...Keep on keeping on..GBO!!!!!
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Just the messenger; I'm still reserving judgement until I hear ALL of the facts.
Janzen was a "gang bangin' thug" one day, and obviously in the wrong place at the wrong time the next.
Learned a lot about people overreacting from that debacle...
volsn3 writes:
didn't see hardly any tatoos or head bands on CORNELL side of the ball.....hmmmmmmm
utken1942 writes:
good team effort guys, take a bow, you earned it
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
I'd like to hear, "There's a tear in Tater's beer, 'cause MorrisClown is gone and he is queer"...
I preemptively apologize...
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