Wake Forest Athletics
Demon Deacons In Rainbow Classic
12/24/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 24, 1999
No. 22/23 WAKE FOREST (8-1)
in the RAINBOW CLASSIC
December 27-30, 1999
Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu, HI
The Wake Forest men's basketball team joins it football counterparts (who play Arizona State in the Aloha Bowl on Dec. 25) for a Christmas in Hawaii. The Demon Deacons, traveling to Hawaii for the second time in school history, enter the Rainbow Classic ranked 22nd in the nation by USA Today and 23rd by AP.
THE LINEUP - The Demon Deacons used the same starting lineup for seven of the first eight games of the season (ROBERT O'KELLEY, JOSH HOWARD, RAFAEL VIDAURRETA, DARIUS SONGAILA and NIKI ARINZE), including during each of the first six games. The Deacs used the lineup listed above for the first time in the most recent contest at Arkansas when Songaila did not play due to a knee injury.
In all, 11 different Deacons have started at least one game in their career while seven different players have started 10 or more games. Wake Forest used 15 different starting lineups during the 1998-99 season as twelve different players started at least one game.
THE HEAD COACH - The 1999-2000 season is the 11th at Wake Forest for coach DAVE ODOM, who has built the Demon Deacon program into one of the nation's best and most consistent. The Deacs made seven consecutive NCAA appearances from 1991 through 1997, then extended their string of postseason tourneys to nine in a row by playing in the 1998 and 1999 NIT.
Odom is a three-time ACC Coach of the Year (1991, 1994, 1995). From 1993 through 1998, his Wake Forest teams won 20-or-more games each season. Since a losing record in his first year with the Deacs, his teams have won 67% of their games, averaging 21 wins per season over the last nine years. Wake Forest won back-to-back ACC titles in 1995 and 1996, establishing a school record for wins (26-6) each year, and in 1997 spent 10 weeks as the nation's #2-ranked team.
PROBABLE DEMON DEACON LINEUP
Career StartsNo. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. PPG RPG (99-00) 4 Robert O'Kelley G 6'1 Jr. *13.9 1.4 59 (9) 5 Josh Howard G 6'6 Fr. 7.1 2.9 9 (9)41 Rafael Vidaurreta C 6'9 Jr. 3.1 6.1 55 (9)33 Niki Arinze F 6'5 So. 6.9 3.8 36 (8)44 Josh Shoemaker F 6'9 Jr. 7.6 *7.1 35 (1)TOP RESERVES
25 Darius Songaila F 6'9 So. 11.5 4.9 32 (8)42 Craig Dawson G 6'5 So. 10.0 2.3 12 (0) 3 Broderick Hicks G 6'1 So. 7.2 2.1 8 (1)31 Ervin Murray G 6'5 So. 1.6 1.4 14 (0)34 Antwan Scott F 6'8 So. 6.1 4.3 3 (0)52 Tate Decker F 6'11 Jr. 3.3 2.3 0 (0)HEAD COACH - Dave Odom (11th year at Wake Forest) / Won 207, Lost 108 (14th year Overall) / Won 245, Lost 150
THE ACC IS NEXT - Wake Forest will return tot he mainland to open ACC play on January 4th when the Deacs host Florida State in Winston-Salem. Following the Rainbow Classic, 16 of the remaining 17 games on the schedule come against ACC opponents (the only exception is Feb. 2 at Davidson).
DEACONS IN HAWAII - Wake Forest has made one previous appearance in the Rainbow Classic, that coming in 1985 when the Demon Deacons went 1-2 to finish in 6th place. The Deacs dropped a 74-71 decision to Washington State in the first round before rebounding with a 75-68 win over Hawaii in the second round. Wake Forest fell to Bradley (who is also in this year's Rainbow field), 86-72, in the fifth place game.
VS. THE RAINBOW FIELD - Wake Forest owns a combined record of 4-9 against the other seven teams in the Rainbow Classic field. Head coach Dave Odom is a combined 1-2 against the field.
The series with Oregon - the Demon Deacons' first-round opponent - stands at 1-0 in favor of the Ducks, who won 76-58 in the 1967-68 Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville.
Of the other six teams, Wake Forest has the most history with Villanova, with the Wildcats holding a 5-2 lead in the series. The most recent meeting came during the 1990-91 ACC/Big East Challenge in Chapel Hill when Villanova defeated Wake Forest, 91-82. Wake Forest's biggest win in the series came in the 1962 NCAA East Region Finals when the Deacs topped the Wildcats, 79-69, to advance to the NCAA Final Four.
Wake Forest leads the series with Hawaii, 2-0, picking up wins in the above mentioned 1985 Rainbow Classic and in the 1993 Great Alaska Shootout (78-49).
Bradley leads the series with the Deacs, 2-0, winning games in the 1985 Rainbow Classic and in 1953-54 (78-74).
Wake Forest and Colorado have met on one previous occasion, with the Buffaloes winning 89-72 in Winston-Salem in 1990-91.
Wake Forest has never faced Gonzaga or Ohio.
SONGAILA OUT WITH SPRAINED KNEE - Sophomore forward DARIUS SONGAILA suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee during the opening minute of the second half against High Point on Dec. 17. Team doctors determined that there is no tear of ligaments in his knee and he will be able to return to the court with treatment and rehab work.
Songaila will be day-to-day for the next 1-2 weeks, and his return to the lineup will be based on his improvement during that time. He did not play against Arkansas and his status for the Rainbow Classic remains questionable.
BIGGEST WIN SINCE - Wake Forest's 79-35 win over High Point was its largest margin of victory since Joel Coliseum was opened in 1989 (44 points) -- the previous high was a 41 point win over Appalachian State (91-50) in 1995. The win over the Panthers was the largest overall since a 45 point victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore (105-60) in 1986-87.
Additionally, the 35 points was the fewest allowed by a Deacon team since holding Atlantic Christian to 30 points in 1947-48 (a 61-30 win).
IN THE NATIONAL POLLS - Wake Forest is nationally ranked in both major polls for the second consecutive week after being unranked at the outset of the 1999-2000 campaign. Currently, the Demon Deacons are ranked 22nd in the USA Today poll and 23rd by AP. During the first week in December, Wake Forest cracked the nation's Top 25 for the first time since December 15, 1997 when the Deacs were ranked 23rd by AP and 22nd by USA Today.
Being in the national polls is nothing new to Wake Forest, however, as the Deacs were ranked in the AP poll for 54 consecutive weeks from November 1994 to March 1997.
THE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY - Wake Forest's 68-67 loss to Georgia -- the first and only of the season for the Demon Deacons -- marked a number of statistical firsts for the 1999-2000 season. The Deacs were outrebounded (40-31), attempted less free throws than their opponent (20-15), shot under 40% (38.8%) and allowed their opponent to shoot over 50% (52.0%).
That trend reversed itself in victories over UNC Greensboro, High Point, and Arkansas last week, so Wake Forest remains undefeated when it outrebounds its opponent, attempts more free throws, or hold its opponent under 50% from the floor.
SHOT TALK - After shooting 43.1% from the floor last season, the Demon Deacons have shot that low just twice in nine games this year. The Deacs shot a season low 37.7% at Arkansas, but have shot at least 50% from the floor in four games this season (60.3% at Navy, 55.4% vs UMES, 50.0% vs Wisconsin, and 51.6% vs High Point). Wake Forest shot over 50% in only six of 31 games last season.
FREE THROW WOES CONTINUE - While shooting accuracy from the floor has improved this season, the Deacons have been very inconsistent at the free throw line. After hitting 37 of their first 48 free throws (77.1%) in the first two games of the year, Wake Forest connected on only 96 of 161 (59.6%) free throw attempts in the last seven games.
Last year, Wake Forest ranked second in the ACC with a 72.1% mark at the line.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS / COMPARING 1998-99 TO 1999-00 - Through the first eight games of the 1999-2000 season, some interesting statistical trends have developed as compared to last year. As a team, Wake Forest is attempting 10.9 more 2pt-field goals per game than last season, while the Demon Deacons are taking 3.8 less 3pt-field goals per contest. Overall, the Deacs are taking (7.3) and making (5.9) more field goals per game the season as opposed to last year.
1998-99 vs. 1999-00
Year All FGA FGM 2pt Att 2pt M 3pt Att 3pt M 1998-99 52.3 22.5 34.5 16.4 17.9 6.2 1999-00 59.6 28.4 45.4 23.1 14.1 5.3 Diff. +7.3 +5.9 +10.9 +6.7 -3.8 -0.9
ODOM HITS 200 - Wake Forest's win over Campbell in the season opener was the 200th at the school for Demon Deacon head coach DAVE ODOM, who is now 11th on the ACC all-time victory list (207-108). He is on pace to surpass both Jim Valvano (209 wins at NC State) and Vic Bubas (213 at Duke) during the 1999-2000 campaign. Odom's overall record as a head coach is now 245-150 including a three-year stint at East Carolina from 1980 through 1982.
On the Wake Forest career coaching list, Odom ranks 3rd behind Carl Tacy (222-149 record from 1973-1985) and the school's all-time victory leader, Murray Greason (288-243 from 1934-1957). Odom's 86 ACC victories (he's 86-70), however, are the most for any Demon Deacon coach.
BIG SECOND HALF LEADS - Wake Forest has outscored its opponents by an average of 20.4 points per game, with five games being decided by more than 10 points. In fact, Wake Forest has held a double-digit lead for at least one point in the second half in all but one game this season (at Arkansas).
ON THE GLASS - The Demon Deacons have dominated the battle on the boards in the first eight games of the season, outrebounding their opponents by over nine boards per game. The Demon Deacons have outrebounded every opponent except Georgia (Wake Forest's only loss) this year. For the season, Wake Forest is outrebounding its opponents by 9.6 per game (41.8 to 32.8), the best figure in the ACC.
Wake Forest has grabbed 50+ rebounds in each of the last two games.
GETTING TO THE LINE IMPORTANT - In the eight games that the Demon Deacons have attempted as many or more free throws than their opponents they are a perfect 8-0. The only time Wake Forest did not accomplish that feat was against Georgia (a 68-67 loss) when the Bulldogs shot 20 free throws to the Deacs' 15 attempts.
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST - Wake Forest scored over 80 points in each of the first three games of the season, the first time the Demon Deacons scored 80+ points in three consecutive games since December of 1992. (Wake Forest topped 80 points just three times in 31 games last season).
The Deacons are averaging 77.0 points through nine games. Wake Forest has averaged over 80 points per game just once in 10 previous years under head coach Dave Odom (80.5 ppg in 1990-91) and better than 70 points in five of 10 years.
BUT A BALANCED ATTACK - The Demon Deacons are averaging 77.0 points, but no player is scoring more than 14 points per game. ROBERT O'KELLEY leads the Deacs with a 13.9 ppg average while DARIUS SONGAILA (11.5 ppg) and CRAIG DAWSON (10.0 ppg) are each scoring in double figures. A closer examination of the statistics reveals that seven different players are scoring over six points per game and nine different players are averaging at least four points per contest.
Double Digit Deacons
Scoring Rebounding Niki ARINZE 2 times (Campbell & HPU) Craig DAWSON 3 times (Navy, Wisc., Temple) Broderick HICKS 2 tines (UMES, Arkansas) Josh HOWARD 2 times (UMES, Arkansas) Robert O'KELLEY 7 times (7 of last 8) Antwan SCOTT 2 times (High Point, Arkansas) once (Arkansas) Josh SHOEMAKER once (UMES) Darius SONGAILA 5 times (17 of 23 overall) R. VIDAURRETA 2 times (UMES, UGA)
TIME SHARING - Through the first eight games of the season, the Demon Deacons have operated with a very deep bench. Nine different players are averaging better than 10 minutes per game while no player is playing more than 31 minutes per contest. Junior ROBERT O'KELLEY, who averaged 35.0 mpg last season, leads the team with 30.1 mpg.
Thirteen different Demon Deacons played at least 10 minutes in the win over High Point on Dec. 17.
THREE-POINT STREAK CONTINUES - Wake Forest enters the Rainbow Classic having made at least one three-point field goal in 239 consecutive games. The last time that the Demon Deacons did not make a three-pointer was in a 1992 homecourt victory over Tulane.
DEFENSIVE DEACS - The Wake Forest defense is holding opponents to 36.7% from the floor and forcing an average of 17.7 turnovers per contest (last year opponents turned the ball over 14.6 times per game). The Deacs rank second in the ACC in turnover margin (+3.3).
Another aspect of the Deacon defense is an increased shot blocking presence. In the 90-55 win at Navy, the Deacs blocked 11 shots - the most in a single game since Tim Duncan's senior season (79 games) - and now have 51 blocks on the season (5.7 per game). Sophomore ANTWAN SCOTT (13 blocks) and freshman JOSH HOWARD (12 blocks) lead the team in that department.
DEACS IN THE "O-DOME" - The Demon Deacon overall record in Lawrence Joel Coliseum since the facility opened for the 1989-90 season is an excellent 127-29 (81.4% winning pct).
After winning just one league game in Joel in its inaugural campaign (1989-90), Wake Forest has won nearly 75% of its conference games (53-18) on its homecourt since 1990. North Carolina is the only ACC visitor to post a winning record in Joel Coliseum.
Wake's record in Joel includes an outstanding 73-5 mark against non-ACC foes. Non-conference losses suffered by the Deacons in Joel Coliseum have come to Colorado in January of 1991, California in December of 1993, Utah and Vanderbilt (in the NIT) during the 97-98 season, and Arkansas last year.
TOP HALF OF ACC - With a victory over NC State in its final regular season contest, Wake Forest claimed undisputed possession of 4th place in the final league standings for the 1999 campaign. The Demon Deacons have now finished in the top half of the ACC regular season standings (4th place or higher including ties) seven consecutive years.
ACC SUCCESS - Since dropping their first 11 league contests and finishing with a 3-11 mark in the league in 1990, the Demon Deacons under head coach Dave Odom have achieved winning records against seven of their eight ACC foes, with only North Carolina holding an advantage over the Deacs the past nine years.
NINE STRAIGHT POSTSEASON TRIPS - The Demon Deacons made a ninth straight postseason appearance with their participation in the 1999 NIT. That streak of nine straight postseason trips ranks second among ACC schools, seven of which took part in either the NCAA Tournament or NIT last year.
Consecutive Postseason Appearances by ACC Schools
North Carolina 33 WAKE FOREST 9 Clemson 7 Maryland 6 Duke 4 NC State 3 Georgia Tech 2
"MARCH MADNESS" RETURNS TO JOEL - The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball championship returns to Winston-Salem and Joel Coliseum this spring. After hosting first and second round action of the event in both 1993 and 1997, Wake Forest and Joel Coliseum were selected as a host site for this year's event as well.
Winston-Salem and Buffalo, N.Y., will be the two sites for the first and second rounds of the East Region this spring, with gamedates set for March 17 and 19, 2000.
ALL IN THE FAMLIY - Did you know that head coach DAVE ODOM's two sons, Lane and Ryan, are both involved in coaching at the Division I level? Lane is in his second season on the staff at UNC Charlotte after previously serving on the staffs at Alabama and East Carolina, while Ryan is in his first year at UNC Asheville after a stint at Furman.
The Wake Forest Record When...
At Home 6-0On Opponent Court 2-0On Neutral Court 0-1Leading at Halftime 6-1Trailing at Halftime 1-0Leading with 10:00 Left 7-1Trailing with 10:00 Left 0-0Final Margin Fewer than 5 Pts 0-1Final Margin 5-to-9 Pts 3-0Final Margin in Double Figures 5-0
WF Scores 80+ Pts 3-0WF Scores 70+ Pts 4-0WF Scores 60+ Pts 1-1WF Scores Under 60 Pts 0-0WF Shoots 50%+ 4-0WF Shoots Under 50% 4-1Opponent Shoots 50%+ 0-1WF Atts More FTs than Opp 7-0WF Out-Rebounds Opp 8-0Opp Out-Rebounds WF 0-1
