Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Men's Basketball
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 12, 1998
Exciting. Talented. Energetic. Youthful.
That was the Wake Forest basketball team of a year ago when head coach Dave Odom guided a lineup featuring four freshman starters to a 4th-place finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and within one win of an eighth straight NCAA bid. The surprising Demon Deacons still finished with a 16-14 overall record (7-9 in the conference) and gained an invitation to the NIT.
Now as the 1998-99 season approaches, Wake Forest fans have every reason to expect more of the same qualities in the next edition of Demon Deacon Basketball -- only the level should be even higher in every way.
The same promising freshmen from '98 are back as "veteran" sophomores, led by ACC Rookie of the Year ROBERT O'KELLEY. They will be joined this season by an equally gifted group of new freshmen, a class that has been rated as high as the fifth best in America by one nationally recognized recruiting expert.
With these two classes now together, Odom's upcoming squad will include 11 underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) among its 12 top players. Senior JOSEPH AMONETT is the only Deacon who has been in the program more than one year.
"Last year's team was the youngest in our league, this year we'll be even younger but we have the chance to be better," Odom says. "The experience factor I don't worry much about. Last year's freshmen bought into what we were trying to do quickly and improved greatly. Now, along with Joseph Amonett, they are the leaders.
"What I do worry about is coming to grips with a rotation and style of play. We're more athletic and deeper than we have been and we could be a more up-tempo, pressure defense, fullcourt basketball type of team. I have to change my thinking a little bit if we are to do that, but that is the style we may play towards."
Odom's style of the past, of course, has been extremely successful. Although that impressive string of seven consecutive NCAA appearances was halted, the NIT invitation did give Wake Forest eight straight postseason trips which is the second-longest streak in the ACC. The Deacons have compiled a winning record against seven of their eight conference opponents over the past eight years and rank second only to North Carolina with 49 ACC wins the past four seasons.
Last year's achievements came, too, against what was ranked (by the RPI Index) as the second-toughest schedule in the nation. Wake claimed 12 victories over teams that qualified for postseason play.
"I feel very good that our team made a lot of progress both individually and collectively last season," Odom states. "In light of the strength of our league, the strength of our schedule and the youth of our team, I believe we showed an amazing ability to improve, to focus, and to fight for each other."
Odom knows that he'll need more of that same improvement and togetherness this season with only Amonett available to offer much proven experience. The 6'5 perimeter player has lettered all three seasons as a valuable reserve at both guard and forward. He'll certainly contend for a starting role this year, or could be asked to remain in that same dual duty of contributing at both positions off the bench in addition to serving as the team's "elder statesman."
"Leadership has a tendency to surface and it's already begun to do that during the offseason," Odom points out. "Our leadership is in good shape with Joseph and a group of sophomores that are more serious about basketball than any class we've had in a long time."
Heading up that class, of course, is the ever-confident O'Kelley who emerged quickly as one of the premier players in the ACC last winter. Scoring from long range or on sudden dashes up court to the basket, he became the highest scoring freshmen at Wake Forest in 45 years while ranking among the top ten players in the ACC in four statistical categories.
Two other 1998 rookies stood out in the front court. Forward NIKI ARINZE proved to be an exceptionally athletic small forward with quickness around the basket and eagerness as an offensive rebounder (he ranked 6th in the ACC in that department). RAFAEL VIDAURRETA, though only 6'9, battled taller and more mature opponents all year, and by season's end was one of the most dependable rebounders (8.3 rpg over the last 12 dates) and defenders in the league.
Another first-year player, JOSH SHOEMAKER, started most of the season at the other forward spot. His offensive output was marginal, but he contributed significantly on the defensive end and off the glass.
Two other freshmen from a year ago did not see as much action but could step into more prominent roles this season. JAMES GRIFFIN is an explosive backcourt player who has excellent range on his jumpshot and the athletic ability to score inside as well. ARON McMILLIAN should again provide quality help in the post after appearing in just 14 contests in 1997-98.
Joining the returnees are five gifted freshmen, including three North Carolina products, each of whom could have an impact in their initial campaign. The five players almost could form a starting quintet of their own, although the versatility is present in all five to give Odom and staff flexibility in putting together a lineup.
BRODERICK HICKS enters Wake Forest as one of the most heralded point guards in the high school ranks last season. His quickness with the ball and play-making talent should relieve O'Kelley with the ball-handling responsibilities as much as needed. ERVIN MURRAY, although 6'5, played point guard as a prep junior before moving to forward last year. His ability to pass the ball and his on-the-court presence have the Deacon coaches very excited.
CRAIG DAWSON could play either small forward or big guard, but wherever he lines up, he'll be counted on to put points on the scoreboard. He averaged nearly 30 points per game as a high school senior and is considered an outstanding perimeter shooter.
Newcomers to the post positions (power forward and center) are ANTWAN SCOTT, an athletic big man with both rebounding and shot-blocking skills, and DARIUS SONGAILA, a multi-talented frontcourt player who was one of the most sought-after spring signees in the country. Songaila plays with a maturity beyond his age and will be expected to contribute immediately, as could Scott.
The 1998-99 Demon Deacon schedule opens earlier than ever when Wake Forest meets Illinois in the "Coaches versus Cancer" Tournament in Madison Square Garden. Georgetown and Temple make up the remainder of that field. Other highlights of the non-conference portion of the schedule include a home date with Arkansas (Dec.23) and a trip to last year's NCAA runner-up Utah (Dec.28).
Wake opens ACC play on December 3rd at Maryland, then faces 15 consecutive league opponents after the New Year, beginning with a home meeting with Virginia on January 2nd.
Potentially 22 of 28 regular season contests will be televised, 12 of those on national networks (ABC, ESPN or ESPN2). All 16 ACC games, as well as the entire conference tournament in March, will be telecast.
Location: Winston-Salem, NC Head Coach: Dave Odom (Guilford '65) Enrollment: 3,761 Record at Wake Forest: 182-93 (9 yrs) President: Dr. Thomas K. Hearn, Jr. Overall Record: 220-135 (12 yrs) Athletic Director: Ron Wellman Assistants: Frank Haith, Ernie Nestor, Conference: Atlantic Coast Russell Turner Homecourt: Lawrence Joel Coliseum (14,407) 1997-98 Record: 16-14 (7-9/4th in ACC) Nickname: Demon Deacons Lettermen Returning/Lost: 8/4 Colors: Old Gold & Black Starters Returning: 4
