Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons Ready To Open 2000-01 Campaign Thursday Night
11/14/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2000
Wake Forest Weekly Men's Basketball Release
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest, with nine letterwinners back from a team that won the NIT championship last season, kicks off the 2000-01 season Thursday night at Lawrence Joel Coliseum against Mount St. Mary's (approximate 9 p.m. tip/no TV).
Thursday's opener is part of the four-team, two-day BCA (Black Coaches Association) Classic. Houston takes on Air Force in the 6:30 p.m. opener. The two winners will advance to Friday's championship game (9 p.m.), while the loser's will play in Friday's consolation game (6:30 p.m.).
The Deacons, 22-14 last year, return all five starters, although starting center Rafael Vidaurreta is out with a knee injury. Junior Darius Songaila (13.7 points per game), a third team All-ACC selection last season as a sophomore, and senior guard Robert O'Kelley (13.0 ppg.) should lead a balanced Wake attack. Both Songaila and O'Kelley are listed among the 50 preseason candidates for the John R. Wooden Award.
Mount St. Mary's, 9-20 a year ago, return nine letterwinners. The Mountaineers are guided by legendary head coach Jim Phelan, who has 809 career victories.
The BCA Classic Field
Mount St. Mary's has hopes of contending for the Northeast Conference title this year as nine letterwinners are back. The Mountaineers have a solid backcourt, featuring junior Jerry Lloyd (6.4 points per game) and senior Aaron Herbert (6.1 ppg.).
Air Force, 8-20 a year ago, are under the direction of first-year coach Joe Scott. The Falcons return seven letterwinners, including three starters, from a team that finished seventh in the Mountain West Conference.
Houston, 9-22 last season, are guided by new coach Ray McCallum, who replaced Clyde Drexler. The Cougars have a strong nucleus back from last year's club, which finished sixth in Conference USA's National Division. Leading the way is sophomore forward George Williams (14.3 ppg.).
