A Tribute to Wayne Chism

#1
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Wise-Vol

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#1
As he gets ready to play his last home game as a Vol, Wayne Chism deserves some love:

1. First big recruit for Bruce Pearl

2. Never in trouble on or off the court

3. May be the winningest Vol to ever suit-up

4. Improved all facets of his game in 4 years;

5. Gives his all for UT even when in pain

6. Never got the calls other less deserving bigs get in the SEC

7. Held his own against Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Cole Aldrich, Tyler Hansbrough, Patrick Patterson, Al Horford, Randolph Morris, Mario Boggan, Connor Atchley, DeMarcus Cousins, Richard Hendrix, Glen Davis, Trey Thompkins, Charles Rhodes, Jarvis Vanardo, Joey Dorsey, Josh Heytvelt, Greg Monroe, and Marcus Speights, among others. Has any UT post player ever faced such a parade of talented Big Men in a career?

8. As a Freshman, he hit a huge three pointer and drove to the hoop for a key finger role, both in OT, to slam the door on Kevin Durant and Texas, all with the fans screaming "noooooo", in what is surely one of the greatest basketball games Knoxville has ever witnessed. Also as a Freshman, he helped hold the top player on the #1 team (Greg Oden) to 9 points and 3 rebounds in the Sweet 16 -- and 5 of those 9 points came on Free Throws. Without the OSU refs, we win that game and Wayne Chism's defense would have been one of the big stories.

9. As a Sophomore, when Chris Lofton lost his concentration against No. 10 Butler at the end of the NCAA Tourney game and got blindsided, Chism had the presence of mind to not only dive on the ball in the backcourt, but to call timeout to preserve the key possession. He also led the team in scoring in that game. Also as a Sophomore, he dominated WVU in the preseason NIT, shut down Gonzaga's bigs on the road in a big win, and dominated Joey Dorsey in the battle of #1 v. #2 in Memphis.

10. As a Junior, he limited Greg Monroe to 3 rebounds in the Vols' early victory over the Hoyas, almost single-handedly crushed the Big East's best (Marquette) by scoring 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, and owned the low post in two victories over the Gators.

11. As a Senior, he has been the glue that has held a fragile team together through troubled times, playing over half the season injured, never getting the calls that more hyped (but less productive) players in the SEC get in the low post, never complaining, always positive, doing everything but hit the winning shot against top 5 Purdue early, making Cole Aldrich look like a freshman again in the upset of the #1 team, leading all scorers and rebounders in the game against hated rival Memphis, and surely finishing up at home tonight as one of the most beloved Vols of all time.

When I think of all-time UT greats, I will have to include Wayne Chism in there with Bernard King, Dale Ellis, Chris Lofton, Alan Houston, and Tony White, not because he had the greatest stat lines (although his stats are nothing to dismiss), but because of the character he showed, his love of the game and the Orange, and the Cornerstone he has been during one of the most enjoyable times in UT Basketball history.

My God, I'll miss Wheezie. :cray:
 
#2
#2
great post my friend i too will miss the big man myself. I only hope Tobias has close to the amount of passion that Chism plays basketball with!!
 
#4
#4
12. Has learned the secret of keeping a headband on only the top crest of that shortly cropped dome of his with it only flying off twice a game.

In all seriousness, I will miss this guy more than any Vol of the past decade. With so many of our more touted players showing up for some games and phoning in others, Chism gave it his all EVERY GAME. He always played bigger than his size, and just when you worried about him in the paint, he'd start raining 3's like a shooting guard. Hell, I worry about guys like Hopson when the hustlers like Prince and Chism are gone and take that leadership with them. You think Hopson is gonna be firing up his younger teammates in a timeout huddle late in the game?!?! Who's gonna be around to wake him up when he dozes off?
 
#5
#5
Do it big tonight wayne!! we'll send you off with an ovation you'll never forget!!
 
#6
#6
Wise-Vol said:
11. As a Senior, he has been the glue that has held a fragile team together through troubled times,
Click to expand...

that could have been the biggest contribution he made this year. Not only with his play but the locker room vids I've seen seem to show all the guys looking at him as their leader. We will miss the big guy
 
#10
#10
Excellent post man. I will miss Chism more then I missed Lofton.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#11
#11
dlw4n said:
12. Has learned the secret of keeping a headband on only the top crest of that shortly cropped dome of his with it only flying off twice a game.

In all seriousness, I will miss this guy more than any Vol of the past decade. With so many of our more touted players showing up for some games and phoning in others, Chism gave it his all EVERY GAME. He always played bigger than his size, and just when you worried about him in the paint, he'd start raining 3's like a shooting guard. Hell, I worry about guys like Hopson when the hustlers like Prince and Chism are gone and take that leadership with them. You think Hopson is gonna be firing up his younger teammates in a timeout huddle late in the game?!?! Who's gonna be around to wake him up when he dozes off?
Click to expand...

OK, that was mine. Nobody rocks the headband like Wheezy. Without Chism, I think this team falls apart at every bad turn. There's a lot of camaraderie on this team and I think Wayne has a lot to do with that.
 
#12
#12
Thanks for the post. Weezy deserves the tribute! Ill be sad to see his last home game tonight.
 
#13
#13
Excellent post. For all the times I screamed "NO!!!" when he put up an ill-advised three (whereafter it seemed at least 50% of the time I then found myself screaming "YES!!!!" after the shot found its mark) I will always remember the attributes you have described here. Very well put together post.
 
#15
#15
Best post I have seen in a long time. Very well thought out and I agree with everything. He will be greatly missed. Good Luck in the NBA big guy. GBO!!!!!!
 
#16
#16
EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT post. Chisy is right up there with Chris Lofton for me. He's a great ambassador for UT and one of the all time greats!
 
#18
#18
Excellent post. Agreed I will miss Wayne. Let's hope he can help carry us deep in the tournament for his last year! GO VOLS!
 
#19
#19
He has to be one of the all-time greatest Charge-takers in UT history...he does all the little things and hustles his ass off every game, gonna miss you Chism.
 
#20
#20
Great post by the OP. Wayne is easily my all time fav. UT basketball player, and I cant wait to see him finish out his career in a strong way.
 
#21
#21
Nice list.

What I'll miss most about Wayne is his disposition. Most of the time he plays his heart out, but at the same time you get the sense that he actually enjoys being out there, playing, hanging out with teammates and opponents and students and anyone. He makes life a little more interesting, and that's more than a lot of college basketball players can say. It's okay to make fun of his physics-defying headband, his sitting with the students and painting his body with Coach Pearl and other antics - he seems to make fun of himself as much as anyone. But rarely if ever do you hear someone say they actively dislike Chism.

Wayne is everyone's friend.
 
#25
#25
I'm trying remember but I think Peterson actually brought Chism in...and Pearl honored the scholarship if I'm not badly mistaken.

Regardless...I've had the priviledge of watching Wayne play for the past 8 years and have enjoyed everyone of them.. We are gonna miss you Big Man! GBO!
 
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