Adams: Urgency is Chism's energy for Vols

NASHVILLE - Wayne Chism went to the Tennessee bench for a rare break as his team was closing out a 76-65 victory over Ole Miss in the second round of the SEC tournament on Friday. But he didn't sit down.

There were still a few minutes left on the clock at Bridgestone Arena. That was too much time against a desperate Ole Miss team, which supposedly was playing for its NCAA tournament life.

"Teams aren't going to give up," he said. "Because they know what's at stake."

So Chism drank his Gatorade and accepted congratulations from a Kentucky fan behind the UT bench. But he didn't sit down,

He never does when a game is in doubt. He wants to stay loose and ready.

Moments later, he was back on the floor, finishing off a 16-point, 15-rebound performance that was too much for Ole Miss to overcome.

His nickname never seemed more inappropriate. "Wheezy," they call him because of his asthmatic condition, which requires him to use an inhaler as a precautionary measure before each game.

Wheezy played 36 minutes against LSU on Thursday and 36 more against Ole Miss. And if this afternoon's semifinal game had been moved up to Friday night, I don't doubt he could have logged another 36 minutes.

In the final days of a four-year college career that have made him worthy of All-SEC recognition, Wheezy has become a regular Marathon Man. Not only has he scored 33 points and claimed 26 rebounds in the tournament, he has been his team's driving force from start to finish, seemingly consumed with executing every detail that might enhance UT's status for March Madness.

He has never been more fun to watch.

For example, take the last five minutes of a game that was going the Vols' way, but hadn't quite been squeezed into the win column.

Chism smiled broadly as officials called a charge on Ole Miss, then set a jarring pick at the other end of the floor before rolling to the basket for a layup. Seconds later, he extended his arms low enough to pry the ball from 5-foot-10 point guard Chris Warren and rushed down court on the dribble.

Size didn't matter at that point. Neither did minutes played. Chism was playing harder than anybody - little guys, big guys; starters, reserves.

"Down the stretch in these types of games, you've got to have a lot of energy," he stressed.

A sense of urgency helps, too.

"My (college career) is coming to an end," Chism said. "I don't know when it's gonna be, but I'm playing as though it's my last game."

Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy could appreciate that as much as anyone. How much different Friday's game might have been if he had a post player with Chism's skill, stamina and commitment to complement the Rebels' perimeter game.

"If you look at what (Chism) has been able to accomplish in his four years - not only statistically but with the success his teams have had - he has to go down as one of the all-time best in the history of that program," Kennedy said. "Wayne Chism has been tremendous."

Two tremendous performances have led to a tremendous challenge - today's match-up with No. 2 Kentucky and DeMarcus Cousins, arguably the most imposing player in the college game.

My guess is Wheezy will take a hit on his inhaler, draw a deep breath and attack the next 36 minutes as though the curtain is about to drop.

John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.