Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons Travel To UNC
2/10/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 10, 2000
WAKE FOREST (13-10, 4-6 in ACC)
at NORTH CAROLINA (15-9, 6-4)
February 12, 2000
1:30 pm -- Smith Center
Wake Forest travels to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina looking to put back-to-back wins together for the first time since January 12th. The Demon Deacons are coming off a 79-63 win over Clemson on Tuesday night while the Tar Heels topped NC State, 70-62, on Wednesday in Raleigh. Wake Forest won the first meeting of the year between the two schools, 67-53 in Winston-Salem. Today's game will be televised regionally by ABC.
THE LINEUP - The Demon Deacons used the same starting lineup listed in 11 of the first 15 games this season (O'KELLEY, HOWARD, VIDAURRETA, ARINZE, SONGAILA) before using four different lineups in the next five games. Senior JIM FITZPATRICK became the 10th different Demon Deacon to start a game this season Feb. 2 at Davidson when he replaced Arinze in the starting five, and the Deacs have used the starting lineup listed above in each of the last three games. Wake Forest has used seven different lineups this season, while RAFAEL VIDAURRETA is the only individual to start all 23 games. Vidaurreta and DARIUS SONGAILA have started all 10 ACC contests.
In all, 11 different Deacons have started at least one game in their career while eight 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.
UPCOMING - Wake Forest returns to Joel Coliseum for back-to-back home games on Tuesday against NC State (8:00 / RJ) and on Saturday versus Maryland (4:00 / RJ, ESPN2). Five games remain on the 1999-2000 regular season schedule after today, three of which will be played in Winston-Salem's Joel Coliseum.
PROBABLE DEMON DEACON LINEUP
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Class | PPG | RPG |
| 4 | Robert O'Kelley | G | 6'1 | Jr. | 15.0 | 1.9 |
| 10 | Jim Fitzpatrick | G | 6'0 | Sr. | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| 41 | Rafael Vidaurreta | C | 6'9 | Jr. | 3.6 | 6.8 |
| 5 | Josh Howard | F | 6'6 | Fr. | 7.8 | 4.1 |
| 25 | Darius Songaila | F | 6'9 | So. | 12.1 | 4.9 |
TOP RESERVES
| 42 | Craig Dawson | G/F | 6'5 | So. | 8.1 | 2.3 |
| 44 | Josh Shoemaker | F/C | 6'9 | Jr. | 5.5 | 5.2 |
| 34 | Antwan Scott | F | 6'8 | So. | 4.8 | 2.8 |
| 3 | Broderick Hicks | G | 6'1 | So. | 4.7 | 1.5 |
| 31 | Ervin Murray | G | 6'5 | So. | 2.0 | 1.3 |
| 52 | Tate Decker | F | 6'11 | Jr. | 2.9 | 2.3 |
HEAD COACH - Dave Odom (11th year at Wake Forest) / Won 212, Lost 117
(14th year Overall) / Won 250, Lost 159
Wake Forest vs. North Carolina
THE SERIES - Today's game is the 200th meeting between Wake Forest and North Carolina in a series that dates back to 1911. The Demon Deacons trail in the overall competition, 56-143. From 1993 through the 1996 season, the Deacs and Heels split 10 contests. Since Wake Forest won in Winston-Salem in January of 1997, however, North Carolina had won six in a row in the series before a 66-57 Demon Deacon win on January 12th in Joel Coliseum.
North Carolina is the only ACC school to hold a winning record against Wake Forest over the last seven years.
THIS YEAR'S FIRST MEETING - Wake Forest took a 66-57 decision on January 12th in Joel Coliseum, thanks to an outstanding second-half comeback. The Tar Heels led by seven (28-21) at halftime, and quickly pushed the lead to 10 points (35-25) with 13:45 remaining in the second half. The Deacs, however, then went on a 32-11 run over the next 10 minutes to build an 11-point lead (57-46). UNC never got any closer than seven points in the final four minutes as Wake held on for the nine-point victory.
Junior ROBERT O'KELLEY led all scorers with 18 points in the game, although the game was certainly a struggle for him. O'Kelley missed his first 11 field goal attempts before exploding for 18 points in the final 14 minutes of the game. DARIUS SONGAILA added 16 points while RAFAEL VIDAURRETA turned in an 8 point / 9 rebound performance.
INDIVIDUALLY - Guard ROBERT O'KELLEY has enjoyed his share of success against the Tar Heels, averaging 18.0 points in five games against UNC. O'Kelley, however, has been spectacular on three occasions and struggled on two other dates. Last year in Chapel Hill, he poured in 28 points and hit seven "threes" (including a game-tying three-pointer with 2.9 seconds left) and the previous year he scored 25 points (including seven three-pointers) in Joel Coliseum. He scored 18 points in the above-mentioned contest earlier this season in Winston-Salem. O'Kelley's other two performances include a 10-point effort in 1998 in Chapel Hill and a 8-point performance last year in Winston-Salem.
IN THE SMITH CENTER - Wake Forest's only win in 14 visits to this building required outstanding performances by two outstanding players as Randolph Childress (26 pts) and Tim Duncan (25 pts) combined to lead the Demon Deacons to a 79-70 win here in 1995.
On four other recent occasions (1992, 1996, 1998 & 1999), Wake Forest has led at halftime against UNC on this floor, but each time it fell victim to a North Carolina rally. That includes last year when an underdog Deacon squad held a 31-22 edge over the 14th-ranked Tar Heels, before UNC eventually prevailed in overtime, 68-65.
Noting the Demon Deacons
ARINZE OUT FOR THE SEASON - Sophomore forward Niki Arinze, a starter in 18 games this year, will miss the remainder of the 1999-2000 season after being diagnosed with a dislocating tendon near his right ankle. School medical officials confirmed the diagnosis of a subluxing peroneal tendon on Monday evening with a MRI. The injury limits Arinze's ability to make sharp cuts or jump off his right ankle. The Wake Forest medical staff will use an initial conservative treatment of placing Arinze in a walking boot for the next four to six weeks. At that point his condition will be reevaluated to determine if other medical procedures will be necessary.
Arinze, who missed all but five games last year with a dislocated left shoulder, played in each of the team's first 21 games this season before suffering the injury. The 6'5 forward was averaging 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
KEY STRETCH BEGINS - Of course all games within the ACC are important, but this afternoon's game at North Carolina starts a critical three-game stretch where the Demon Deacons will play three teams just ahead of them in the league standings. After today's game, Wake Forest (currently 4-6 in conference play) hosts Maryland (6-4) and NC State (5-5) next week in Joel Coliseum, giving the Deacs an outstanding opportunity to move up in the ACC standings.
LINEUP ADJUSTMENT - Wake Forest made a lineup adjustment prior to the game at Davidson on Feb. 2, moving junior ROBERT O'KELLEY off the point and to the shooting guard position in an attempt to get him better looks at the basket and jump-start his offense. Senior JIM FITZPATRICK, perhaps the team's best pure "point guard," has stepped into the starting lineup the last three games and O'Kelley has responded with 49 points in the last two games (16.3 ppg) while totaling eight assists and just one turnover in 116 minutes of play.
DEACS HIT MAGIC NUMBER OF "70" - Wake Forest is a perfect 9-0 when the Deacons score 70 or more points this season. The Demon Deacons had not topped 70 points for 12 straight games (since Dec. 29 vs Ohio) before scoring 79 in Tuesday's win over Clemson. Wake is just 4-10 when scoring under 70 points, including a 0-4 mark when failing to break the 60-point plateau.
DEFENSE DOES THE JOB - Thirteen of 23 opponents have shot under 43% from the floor against Wake Forest this year -- the Demon Deacons are 12-1 in those games. Florida State became the first team to shoot under 43% (38.8%) and win the game last weekend in Tallahassee. When the opposition has shot over 43%, the Deacs are just 1-9.
CLOSE CALLS - Three of Wake Forest's losses this season have come by two points or less. Two defeats came with the opponents hitting a very difficult shot within the final five seconds of the game -- Georgia's Adrian Jones hit a three-pointer at the buzzer and Oregon's Alex Scales hit a fade-away 16-footer with four seconds left. Wake lost to Florida State, 66-64, on Jan. 4. Wake Forest is now 1-5 in games decided by five points or less. In contrast, the Deacs are 12-5 in games decided by more than five points.
AT THE HALF - Wake Forest has held a halftime lead in 15 of 23 games, and the Deacons are 11-4 in those contests. However, since building a halftime lead in 12 of the first 14 games, Wake has trailed at the half in six of the last nine contests.
A SENIOR CITIZEN - When JIM FITZPATRICK joined the starting lineup for the Davidson game, he became the first senior to start a game for the Deacons this season. Wake Forest had been one of only two teams in the ACC that have not had a senior in the starting lineup at any point this season (Maryland was the other). The other seven conference schools have already had one or more seniors start games this season.
Wake Forest gained attention two years ago when the Deacs became the first team in ACC history to start five freshman in a league game. Those freshmen are now juniors and last year's freshmen are now sophomores, but the Deacs are still a team with no four-year scholarship seniors (former walk-ons Tim Fuller and Jim Fitzpatrick were both awarded scholarships for their final season).
GETTING TO THE LINE IMPORTANT - The old adage that whomever attempts more free throws will usually win the game certainly holds true this season. The team that has shot more free throws is 17-5 this year -- including a 11-5 mark by Wake Forest. [Temple and Wake Forest each shot 23 free throws].
INCONSISTENT AT THE LINE - While the Deacons have been successful in getting to the free throw line this season (22.7 attempts per game), they have struggled to capitalize on that advantage for much of the season. As a team, Wake Forest is shooting just 65.1%. from the line (the second lowest figure in the ACC). The Deacs had just 51.7% (30-58) from the stripe in three previous games before hitting 33-of-40 attempts (82.5%) on Tuesday against Clemson.
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL - Wake Forest has done a solid job of protecting the basketball this season, and the Deacs lead the ACC with an average of 13.8 turnovers per game. In fact, Wake Forest has turned the ball over a total of 31 times (10.3 per game) in the last three games.
THREE-POINT ACCURACY DOWN - Wake Forest has struggled with their long range accuracy this season. The Deacons are shooting 31.3% behind the arc, the lowest team mark since the three-point shot was instituted in 1986-87.
The three-point shooting percentage has taken a downturn in recent weeks -- the Deacs are hitting just 29.7% on long range attempts in 10 ACC games. In fact, the Deacs had failed to shoot at least 30% from 3-point territory in six straight games before hitting 12-of-32 attempts (37.5%) in the last two games against Florida State and Clemson.
O'KELLEY CLIMBS THE CHARTS - Last season, guard ROBERT O'KELLEY became just the third player in Wake Forest history to reach the 1,000 point plateau by the end of his sophomore year (Dickie Hemric and Rodney Rogers are the others). O'Kelley currently has 1,385 points, good for 16th place on the Wake Forest all-time scoring list. O'Kelley needs 57 points to pass No. 15 Alvis Rogers (1979-83).
Wake Forest Career Scoring
| 1. Dickie Hemric (52-55) | 2,587 |
| 2. Randolph Childress (91-95) | 2,208 |
| 3. Len Chappell (60-62) | 2,165 |
| 4. Tim Duncan (94-97) | 2,117 |
| ... | |
| 14. Jack Williams (53-57) | 1,453 |
| 15. Alvis Rogers (79-83) | 1,441 |
| 16. Robert O'Kelley (98- ) | 1,385 |
O'KELLEY ENTERS ELITE COMPANY - With 15 points this afternoon against North Carolina, ROBERT O'KELLEY could became only the sixth junior in Wake Forest history to score 1,400 points. Last year, the Demon Deacon guard completed became only the third Wake Forest player to score 1,000 points by the end of his sophomore season (joining Rodney Rogers and Dickie Hemric). Below is a list of the school's all-time scoring leaders at the end of their junior season. (Of course, from the mid-50s until the 1972-73 season freshmen did not play on the varsity level.)
Deacon Junior Scoring Leaders
(1300+ Points at End of Junior Year)
| Dickie Hemric (1952-55) | 1,841 |
| Rodney Rogers (1991-93) | 1,720 |
| Randolph Childress (1991-95) | 1,564 |
| Skip Brown (1974-77) | 1,476 |
| Tim Duncan (1994-97) | 1,472 |
| ROBERT O'KELLEY (1998- ) | 1,385 |
SONGAILA MAKES HIS MARK - Since returning to the lineup on a full time basis from a knee injury on Jan. 4 against Florida State, sophomore forward DARIUS SONGAILA has raised his level of play and is making a strong push for All-ACC honors. Songaila is second on the team in scoring in ACC games only (13.9 ppg), he currently ranks 1st in the conference in free throw percentage (88.1%), 3rd in field goal percentage (55.4%), and 10th in steals (1.6 per game) in league games only.
HOWARD IMPRESSES, TOO - Freshman JOSH HOWARD has made an impact as the only freshman on a team full of veteran players. Howard has started 21 of 23 games, an impressive feat considering that 10 other Demon Deacons had started at least one game in their career entering this season. He is currently 4th on the team in both scoring (7.8 ppg) and rebounding (4.1 rpg). In the last six games, however, Howard's numbers have improved to 11.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg while shooting 51.0% from the floor.
"EL TORO" ANCHORS THE MIDDLE - While junior center RAFAEL VIDAURRETA has struggled at times offensively this season, head coach DAVE ODOM praises him as one of the top defensive post players in the ACC. Vidaurreta leads the Demon Deacons with 6.8 rebounds per game and he is second on the squad with 25 steals. Defensively, Vidaurreta anchors a post defense that has held opponent starting centers to 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
VIDAURRETA & THE GLASS - Junior RAFAEL VIDAURRETA became the 24th member of the 500 rebound club at Wake Forest against North Carolina on Jan. 12. He is currently 20th on the Wake Forest career rebounding chart with 557 boards.
Wake Forest Career Rebounding
| 1. Dickie Hemric (52-55) | 1,802 |
| 2. Tim Duncan (94-97) | 1,570 |
| 3. Len Chappell (60-62) | 1,213 |
| ... | |
| 19. Trelonnie Owens (91-94) | 581 |
| 19. Jim Johnstone (79-82) | 573 |
| 20. Rafael Vidaurreta (98- ) | 557 |
ODOM CRACKS ACC'S TOP 10 - 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 in 10th place on the ACC's all-time victory list (212-117). Wake Forest's win over North Carolina moved Odom into 10th place on the ACC's all-time victory list past NC State legend Jim Valvano. Odom's overall record as a head coach is now 250-159 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 90 ACC victories (he's 90-76), however, are the most for any Demon Deacon coach.
DOUBLE DIGIT DEACONS - Eight different Deacons have scored in double figures at least once this season. Only two Deacs (ROBERT O'KELLEY and DARIUS SONGAILA), though, are averaging more than 10 points per contest. O'KELLEY has reached double digits in 20 games (including 19 of the last 20) while SONGAILA has scored in double figures on 16 occasions (including 27 of the last 39 overall dating to last season).
POINTS OFF THE BENCH - Given Wake Forest's balanced offensive production, it comes as no surprise that the Demon Deacons have received solid contributions off the bench this season. Through 23 games, the Wake Forest bench is averaging 27.1 points per game while the starting five has totaled 41.7 ppg. The bench has actually outscored the starters on three occasions this season (Arkansas, High Point and MD-Eastern Shore) while the starting five has topped 50 points just four times.
TIME SHARING - Through 23 games, the Demon Deacons have operated with a very deep bench. Nine different players are averaging better than 10 minutes per game while only one player is playing more than 30 minutes per contest. ROBERT O'KELLEY, who averaged 35.0 mpg last season, leads the team with 33.8 mpg.
THREE-POINT STREAK CONTINUES - Wake Forest enters the UNC game having made at least one three-point field goal in 253 consecutive games. The last time that the Deacs did not make a three-pointer was a 1992 homecourt victory over Tulane.
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 six of their eight ACC foes, with only North Carolina and Florida State holding an advantage over the Deacs the past 10 years.
Wake Forest vs the ACC
| CLEM | DUKE | FSU | GT | MD | UNC | NCST | UVA | TOTAL | |
| Last 7 Years* | 12-4 | 8-6 | 9-6 | 9-6 | 7-6 | 6-10 | 9-5 | 10-5 | 70-48 |
| Last 10 Years* | 17-5 | 11-9 | 9-10 | 12-9 | 11-8 | 7-16 | 14-6 | 14-9 | 95-72 |
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.
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 the past two seasons.
Consecutive Postseason Appearances by ACC Schools
| North Carolina | 33 | Duke | 4 |
| WAKE FOREST | 9 | NC State | 3 |
| Clemson | 7 | Georgia Tech | 2 |
| Maryland | 6 |
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 129-32 (80% 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 (55-21) on its homecourt since 1990. North Carolina and Duke are the only ACC visitors 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.
Deacon Homecourt Advantage - Record in Joel Coliseum
| Non-ACC | ACC | Overall Record | |
| 1989-90 | 7-0 | 1-6 | 8-6 |
| 1990-91 | 7-1 | 6-1 | 13-2 |
| 1991-92 | 8-0 | 5-3 | 13-3 |
| 1992-93 | 7-0 | 5-3 | 12-3 |
| 1993-94 | 7-1 | 6-2 | 13-3 |
| 1994-95 | 5-0 | 7-1 | 12-1 |
| 1995-96 | 6-0 | 8-0 | 14-0 |
| 1996-97 | 6-0 | 5-3 | 11-3 |
| 1997-98 | 7-2 | 5-3 | 12-5 |
| 1998-99 | 7-1 | 6-2 | 13-3 |
| 1999-00 | 6-0 | 2-3 | 8-3 |
| Totals | 73-5 | 56-27 | 129-32 |
| (93.6%) | (67.5%) | (80.1%) |
ALL IN THE FAMILY - 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 | 8-3 |
| On Opponent Court | 4-4 |
| On Neutral Court | 1-3 |
| Leading at Halftime | 11-4 |
| Trailing at Halftime | 2-6 |
| Leading with 10:00 Left | 12-3 |
| Trailing with 10:00 Left | 1-7 |
| Final Margin Fewer than 5 Pts | 0-3 |
| Final Margin 5-to-9 Pts | 5-3 |
| Final Margin in Double Figures | 8-4 |
| WF Scores 80+ Pts | 4-0 |
| WF Scores 70-79 Pts | 5-0 |
| WF Scores 60-69 Pts | 4-6 |
| WF Scores Under 60 Pts | 0-4 |
| WF Shoots 50%+ | 4-1 |
| WF Shoots Under 50% | 9-9 |
| Opponent Shoots 50%+ | 0-2 |
| WF Atts More FTs than Opp | 11-4 |
| WF Out-Rebounds Opp | 9-6 |
| Opp Out-Rebounds WF | 4-4 |
