Wake Forest Men's Basketball Weekly Release
12/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 13, 2000
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(6) Wake Forest (7-0)
vs.
Georgia (6-3)
Dec. 16, 2000 - 8:00 p.m.
Joel Coliseum (14,407)
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Tip Time:
8:05 p.m.
Television:
Raycom/Jefferson-Pilot. Steve Martin (play-by-play) and Dan Bonner (color analysis) call the action. Rob Reichley produces and Ken Dennis directs.
Radio: The Deacon Radio Network. Stan Cotten (play-by-play) and Mark Freidinger (color analysis) call the action.
The Records:
Wake Forest is 7-0 after beating then No. 3-ranked Kansas, 84-53, Dec. 7 in Winston-Salem. Georgia improved to 6-3 by beating ACC teams Georgia Tech (Dec. 6) and NC State (Dec. 9) last week.
The Rankings:
The Deacons are ranked 6th in the Associated Press poll (WFU's highest AP ranking since being ranked No. 5 on Feb. 24, 1997) and 7th in the ESPN/USA Today poll. Georgia received votes for both major polls.
WFU Coach Dave Odom:
Odom (Guilford '65) is in his 12th season at Wake Forest with a record of 228-121. In 15 years overall, he is 266-163. Odom, a three-time ACC Coach of the Year, owns the second-most wins in WFU history and the eighth-most wins in ACC history.
Georgia Coach Jim Harrick:
Harrick (Morris Harvey '60) is 16-23 in two years at UGA and 419-205 in 21 seasons overall.
The Series History:
Georgia leads, 2-1.
The Officials:
Announced on game day.
Fresh Off Win Over No. 3 Kansas, Wake Forest Hosts Georgia Saturday
Following an impressive 84-53 win over then third-ranked Kansas last Thursday, Wake Forest now focuses on final exams before hosting Georgia Saturday night in Lawrence Joel Coliseum (8:00 p.m./Raycom/Jefferson-Pilot TV).
The sixth-ranked Demon Deacons, 7-0 and off to their best start since 1996-97, blitzed the Jayhawks last Thursday. Sophomore Josh Howard scored a career-high21 points, junior Craig Dawson came off the bench for 20 points, Wake out-rebounded the Jayhawks 43-26 and held Kansas to just 38 percent shooting.
Georgia, 6-3, brings a four-game winning streak to Winston-Salem. The Bulldogs, who defeated ACC teams Georgia Tech (75-70) and NC State (68-63 last Saturday), are led by junior guard D.A. Layne (17.0 points per game).
Georgia leads the all-time series with Wake Forest, 2-1. The Bulldogs edged the Deacons, 68-67, last season in Atlanta.
Things To Know About Saturday's Game
- The Deacons enter Saturday's game with a 12-game winning streak -- the second-longest streak nationally -- dating back to last season. Only Michigan State (18 straight wins) owns a longer current streak. The Spartans play host to Kentucky on Saturday.
- A win on Saturday would match the longest Wake Forest winning streak in the Dave Odom era (13 games).
- Sixth-ranked in the AP poll, Wake Forest enters the Georgia game with its highest national ranking since being ranked No. 5 on Feb. 24, 1997. WFU is ranked 7th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
- The Deacons are looking to begin the season 8-0 for the first time since going 13-0 in Tim Duncan's senior year (1996-97).
- Saturday could mark the season debut of senior center Rafael Vidaurreta, who has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery in late September. Vidaurreta, who is questionable at best, led the Deacons in rebounding last season (6.9 rebounds per game).
- Wake owns a seven-game homecourt winning streak.
- WFU has won 45 of its last 48 non-ACC home games.
Wake Forest-Georgia Series History
- Georgia leads the all-time series, 2-1.
- Georgia won last year's meeting (Dec. 11, 1999) at Philips Arena in Atlanta, 68-67.
- According to the Georgia Media Guide, the first meeting between the two teams was a 70-28 Bulldog win in Athens during the 1912-13 season.
- The second meeting between the Demon Deacons and Bulldogs came in the Gator Bowl Tourn-ament in Jacksonville, FL. Wake Forest won that game, 83-76, on Dec. 30, 1964.
- The Deacons are 73-52 all-time against teams currently in the SEC. That figure includes 70 meetings with former ACC member South Carolina.
- The last time Wake played an SEC team was an 83-68 win at Vanderbilt last March in the opening round of the NIT. The Deacons also won at Arkansas last season.
A Look At Last Year's Wake Forest-Georgia Game
(Dec. 11, 1999) Georgia scored on its last nine possessions including Adrian Jones' 25-foot off-balance, buzzer-beater to lift the Bulldogs to a 68-67 win over 18th-ranked Wake Forest at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
Wake's Broderick Hicks put the Deacs ahead 67-65 with a driving court-length layup with 3.8 seconds remaining. Anthony Evans passed to Jones at midcourt. Jones spinned and dribbled twice before slipping on the floor. As he fell back toward his own bench he launched a bomb that swished just as the buzzer sounded.
Robert O'Kelley scored 17 points, including three 3-point field goals, to lead the Deacons. Darius Songaila scored 14 points before fouling out. D.A. Layne (19 points), Evans (18 points) and Jones (18 points) led a balanced Georgia attack.
Deacon-Bulldog Connections
- Wake Forest assistant coach Barry Sanderson served as a Georgia graduate assistant during the 1991-92 season. That Bulldog team finished 15-14 under coach Hugh Durham.
- Georgia's Shon Coleman (Statesville, NC) will be returning to his home state.
More From Wake's 84-53 Win Over No. 3 Kansas
Wake Forest turned in its most impressive performance of the young season Dec. 7 when it whipped visiting third-ranked Kansas, 84-53, in front of 12,143 at Lawrence Joel Coliseum. More from that game:
- The third-ranked Jayhawks were the highest-ranked opponent that Wake Forest has beaten since knocking off No. 2 Clemson on the road on Jan. 23, 1997.
- The 31-point loss tied for the fourth-worst loss in Kansas basketball history.
- Playing without injured center Rafael Vidaurreta, Wake out-rebounded the Jayhawks, 43-26.
- Kansas entered the game with one of the nation's highest field goal percentages (55.4 percent) but was held to 38 percent shooting by the Deacons. It marked the seventh straight game Wake has held opponents to less than 40 percent shooting.
- Wake Forest, meanwhile, shot 68 percent (17-of-25) in the second half and 49.2 percent for the game.
- Sophomore Josh Howard led the Deacs by scoring a career-high 21 points, tying for the most points by a Wake player this season.
- Josh Shoemaker recorded double-digit rebounds (12) for the fourth this season.
- Junior Craig Dawson came off the bench for 20 points.
- The Deacon defense helped hold KU center Eric Chenowith to one point.
Deacons Posting Impressive Numbers
Through the first seven games of the season, Wake Forest has put up numbers worthy of its No. 6 national ranking:
- Wake Forest is shooting a sizzling 54.1 percent (ranking third nationally and first in the ACC) from the field despite shooting under 50 percent in each of its last three games.
- Meanwhile, the Deacons are holding opponents to just 35.1 percent shooting. None of Wake's seven opponents this season shot better than 39.3 percent against the Deacs, who lead the ACC in field goal percentage defense.
- While Wake is averaging 80.1 points per game, it is limiting opponents to just 54.4 points per contest to rank fourth nationally and first in the ACC in scoring defense. No Deacon opponent scored more than 61 points against Wake.
- Wake's scoring margin (+26.7) ranks fifth nationally and first in the ACC.
- WFU is shooting 73.6 percent from the free throw line to lead the ACC.
- The Deacs own a solid assist-to-turnover ratio with 135 assists and 88 turnovers, which leads the ACC.
- Eight different Deacons are averaging at least 16 minutes per game.
- Individually, senior Josh Shoemaker leads the ACC and ranks 12th nationally in rebounding (11.0 rpg.).
- Junior Darius Songaila leads the ACC in free throw percentage (.905).
- Juniors Broderick Hicks (8.67) and Ervin Murray (3.83) rank one-two in the ACC for assist/turnover ratio.
Good Shooting A Team Thing
Wake Forest's field goal percentage (.541), the best percentage in the ACC and the third-best field goal percentage in college basketball, is truly a team effort. Seven of Wake's top nine scorers are shooting 50 percent or better from the floor.
Deacons hold four of the 12 best field goal percentages in the ACC -- Josh Shoemaker (ranks fourth in the ACC/62.2 percent), Josh Howard (fifth/61.0), Antwan Scott (12th/56.5) and Craig Dawson (13th/55.7). The Deacs are solid from the free throw line as well. Three of Wake's top four scorers -- Craig Dawson (.833), Robert O'Kelley (.800) and Darius Songaila (.905) -- are all shooting 80 percent or better from the stripe.
Songaila, who leads the ACC in free throw percentage, owns the 16th-best career free throw percentage (.826) in the history of the ACC.
Deacon Success Begins With Defense
The biggest key to Wake Forest's early-season success has been defense and rebounding.
Wake Forest has held all seven opponents this season to less than 40 percent shooting. Kansas, which ranks fourth nationally in field goal percentage, shot just 38.0 percent against the Deacs. From three-point range, only South Carolina State (.500) shot better than 33 percent from behind the arc.
The Deacs have out-rebounded six of seven opponents this season and own a rebound margin of +6.7.
Deacons Earn Highest Ranking Since Feb. 24, 1997
Wake Forest is ranked among the nation's top 10 teams for the first time since 1997.
The Deacons are ranked sixth in the Associated Press poll -- Wake's highest AP ranking since being ranked fifth on Feb. 24, 1997. The Deacons are ranked seventh this week in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
Wake used a 31-point victory over then No. 3 Kansas last week to vault from No. 11 in both polls.
The latest polls demonstrate just how difficult the Wake Forest schedule is this season. Six different Deacon opponents are ranked in the Associated Press poll: (1) Duke, (10) Kansas, (14) Virginia, (15) North Carolina, (17) Cincinnati and (20) Maryland.
Five other Deacon opponents received votes for one or both major polls this week -- Temple, NC State, Georgia Tech, Georgia and Richmond.
More Poll Stuff
The Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) saw Wake jump from No. 72 to No. 18 this week. Toledo is ranked No. 1 in the Index. The Deacons are ranked No. 4 in the latest Sagarin computer poll.
Winning Streaks Approaching Best In Odom Era
Wake Forest has won 12 consecutive games dating back to last season -- the nation's second-longest current streak and tying for the second-longest streak in the Dave Odom era.
A win Saturday would tie for the longest win streak in Odom's 12 seasons at Wake Forest. The longest streak is 13 consecutive victories during the 1996-97 season.
The 12 consecutive wins over non-conference opponents ties for the longest in the Odom era.
Injury Update: Vidaurreta Closer To Return
Wake Forest senior center Rafael Vidaurreta, who has been sidelined all season after late September knee surgery, is getting closer to making his season debut.
Deacon coach Dave Odom has not ruled out the possibility of Vidaurreta playing Saturday against Georgia.
Vidaurreta began weight-bearing exercises in mid-November. He led the Deacons in rebounding (6.9 rpg.) last season and was the only Deac to start all 36 games. Junior Darius Songaila suffered a thigh bruise in last Thursday's win over Kansas. He is expected to play against Georgia.
Songaila missed a week of preseason practice with an ankle injury that has fully healed. Junior Ervin Murray (mononucleosis) missed almost the entire preseason and continues to see his stamina improve.
Shoemaker Continues To Clean Glass
When senior center Rafael Vidaurreta underwent surgery in late September, Wake Forest coach Dave Odom expected senior Josh Shoemaker to step up. Shoemaker has exceeded almost everyone's expectations. Shoemaker, who grabbed 12 rebounds in the recent win over Kansas, leads the ACC and ranks 12th nationally in rebounding (11.0 rpg.). Over his last three games, "Shoe" has pulled down 36 rebounds. He has four double-figure rebound games this season.
Along the way, Shoemaker reached a milestone by becoming the 25th player in Wake Forest history to garner 500 career rebounds. He ranks 23rd in WFU history with 523 career boards.
Shoemaker, who has at least nine rebounds in all seven games, ranks fourth in the ACC in field goal percentage (62.2 percent).
O'Kelley Closing In On 1,600 Points
Senior guard Robert O'Kelley reached a pair of scoring milestones last week against Kansas. O'Kelley scored his 1,600th point and in the process, passed Lowell "Lefty" Davis for 12th place on Wake's all-time career scoring list.
O'Kelley enters the Georgia game with 1,601 points. He needs 37 points to pass Bob Leonard for 11th place on the Wake list.
Darius Songaila Chasing 1,000 Points
Junior forward Darius Songaila enters Saturday's game with 945 career points. He will soon become the 39th player in Wake Forest history to score 1,000 career points.
O'Kelley One Of ACC's Most Prolific 3-Point Shooters
Two of the eight most prolific three-point shooters in Wake Forest history are current Deacs. Senior Robert O'Kelley (244 career three-pointers) ranks third in WFU history and 10th in ACC history. Junior Craig Dawson (115 three-pointers) ranks eighth in Wake Forest history.
O'Kelley needs five more treys to pass Tony Rutland (248) for second place in WFU history and for ninth place in ACC history. Dawson needs two three-pointers to pass Cal Boyd (116) for seventh place. O'Kelley ranks second at WFU for career three-point field goal attempts (672). Dawson ranks seventh (302) for three-point attempts and is 25 attempts away from fifth place.
Scott Will Climb List Of Shot Blockers
Antwan Scott, who has 16 blocked shots (2.3 bspg.) this season, is climbing Wake's list of all-time shot blockers. Scott, just a junior, ranks ninth on WFU's all-time blocked shots list with 71. He needs four blocks to pass Rodney Rogers for eighth place.
Homestand Closes Monday Vs. Radford
Wake Forest will close out a four-game homestand Monday night versus Radford (7:30 p.m./Fox Sports Net South). The Highlanders will enter Monday's game with a 4-4 record after beating East Tennessee State, 68-66, last Friday night.
Wake Likely To Redshirt Schoetz
Wake Forest head coach Dave Odom said that he would like to redshirt 7-0 freshman Dshamal Schoetz. Schoetz has been impressive in the preseason, but could benefit greatly from a redshirt year, Odom said. The German native did not begin playing basketball until the age of 15.
Shoemaker, O'Kelley Reach 100 Games
Seniors Robert O'Kelley (104 career games played) and Josh Shoemaker (103) recently became the 15th and 16th players in Wake Forest history to reach the 100-games played plateau. Injured senior Rafael Vidaurreta has played in 97 career games. O'Kelley will tie Jim Johnstone for 13th place on Wake's all-time games played list Saturday against Georgia.
Miscellaneous Notes
- Craig Dawson is the nephew of NBA standout Jerry Stackhouse. "Uncle Jerry" was in attendance at the Nov. 28 game against Michigan.
- Through Tuesday, Wake Forest was one of just nine teams in the nation with a record of 7-0 or better. The Deacs are just one of 18 undefeated Division I teams overall.
- Wake Forest has won 14 consecutive November games. The last time the Deacs lost in November was a 59-48 loss to Temple in 1998.
- Wake's 29 assists in the season opener against Mount St. Mary's are the most assists in a game by an ACC team this season.
- Wake Forest's Nov. 16 season opener marked the third-earliest season opener in school history.
- The Deacons have won seven straight season openers and are now 11-1 in season openers under Dave Odom following a Nov. 16 win over Mount St. Mary's. Wake is 69-28 all-time in season openers.
Wake Has Knack For Knocking Off Top-Ranked Teams
Wake Forest's 84-53 win over No. 3-ranked Kansas Dec. 7 marked the eighth time in the last seven seasons that the Deacons have defeated a team ranked in the top five nationally.
The win over the Jayhawks marked the highest-ranking opponent that Wake has beaten since defeating No. 2 Clemson on the road on Jan. 23, 1997. It was also the highest-ranked opponent the Deacs have defeated in Lawrence Joel Coliseum since beating No. 2 Clemson in 1994.
Over the last seven seasons (including this season), Wake Forest has defeated 12 opponents ranked 10th or better.
In Dave Odom's 12 seasons at Wake Forest, his teams are 22-19 against nationally-raked teams when his team is also ranked.
Deacon Point Guards Combine For 49 Assists, 9 Turnovers
Wake Forest's predominant point guards -- juniors Broderick Hicks and Ervin Murray -- have an assist-to-turnover ratio that any coach would love.
With a combined 49 assists and just nine turnovers between them, the duo has dished out more than five assists to go with every turnover. Hicks and Murray rank one-two, respectively, in the ACC for assist/turnover ratio.
Hicks leads the Deacs with 26 assists to go with three turnovers. Murray has 23 assists and just six turnovers. Hicks has started all seven games and is averaging 19.1 minutes per game. Murray, who emerged as the starter late last season, is averaging 16.1 minutes per game while recovering from mononucleosis.
Senior Robert O'Kelley, the starter at big guard, and freshman A.W. Hamilton, also see action periodically at point guard.
Quick Wake Forest-Georgia Notes
Georgia enters Saturday's game having won six out of its last seven games... the Bulldogs are finishing up their ACC swing through the schedule with consecutive games against Georgia Tech, NC State and Wake Forest... Wake's win at Richmond Nov. 20 looks more impressive every day as the Spiders now own a 6-1 overall record... while the ACC has posted impressive non-league victories in 2000-01, the league has struggled (1-6) in head-to-head competition with the SEC... Georgia is responsible for two of those six losses by ACC teams.
Wake Forest Head Coach Dave Odom
Wake Forest head coach Dave Odom (Guilford '65) owns a career record of 228-121 in 12 seasons with the Deacons, 266-163 in 15 seasons overall. Odom was the head coach at East Carolina for three seasons before taking over the Deacon program in 1989-90. The three-time ACC Coach of the Year has led Wake to 10 consecutive postseason appearances. Odom has already reached a pair of milestones this season:
- On Nov. 18, Odom won his 223rd game at Wake Forest, passing Carl Tacy as the second-winningest coach in WFU history and the eighth-winningest coach in ACC history.
- Odom needs seven ACC victories this season to become just the ninth person to win 100 ACC conference games.