Deacs Open ACC Play Sunday Against Florida State
12/11/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 11, 2001
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#19 Wake Forest (6-2/0-0) vs. Florida State (3-3/0-0)
Game #9 / Dec. 16, 2001 Lawrence Joel Coliseum (16,300) Winston-Salem, NC
Tip-Off: 8:10 p.m.
Television: Fox. Bob Neal (play-by-play), Dan Bonner (color analysis), Dwayne Ballen (sidelines) and special guest Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues call the action. Bob Steinfeld is the producer.
Radio: The Deacon Radio Network, distributed by ISP. Stan Cotten (play-by-play) and Mark Freidinger (color analysis) call the action.
The Records: Wake Forest is 6-2 after a 115-75 win over visiting South Carolina State Friday night. Florida State is 3-3 following a 79-69 loss at home to Western Carolina on Saturday.
The Rankings: Wake Forest is ranked 23rd in the Associated Press poll and 22nd in the ESPN/USA Today poll. Florida State is not ranked.
WFU Coach Skip Prosser: Prosser (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy '72) is 6-2 in his first season at Wake Forest. In nine years overall as a head coach, including one season at Loyola (MD) and seven seasons at Xavier, Prosser has a career record of 171-80.
Florida State Coach Steve Robinson: Robinson (Radford '81) is 55-60 in five seasons at FSU, 101-90 in seven seasons overall.
The Series History: Wake Forest leads, 12-11. More series information on page two.
The Officials: Announced on game day.
Deacons Open ACC Play Sunday At Home Versus Florida State
Wake Forest, coming off a 40-point win and in the middle of final exams, kicks off the ACC season Sunday night against Florida State (Fox/8:10 p.m.). The 19th-ranked Demon Deacons, 6-2 overall, destroyed visiting South Carolina State, 115-75, Friday night. Wake Forest shot a season-best 58.1 percent from the field and five players scored in double figures in the win over the Bulldogs. Wake is in the middle of a three-game homestand. The Deacons will host St. Francis (PA) Dec. 19. Florida State, 3-3, was upset Saturday by visiting Western Carolina, 79-69. The Seminoles were outscored 26-9 over the final 4:19 in the loss to the Catamounts. Wake Forest leads the all-time series, 12-11. The two teams have split the last eight meetings. Sunday's game is televised nationally by Fox. Former WFU standout Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues will be a guest commentator. What's at stake for Wake Sunday: - Wake Forest is looking to win its ACC opener for just the second time in five years. - The Deacons are looking to win their seventh ACC home opener in eight years. Wake's only loss in an ACC opener since 1993-94 came against Florida State, 66-64, on Jan. 4, 2000. - Wake Forest, which plays four of its next five games in Lawrence Joel Coliseum, has a four-game homecourt winning streak.
A Quick Look At The Deacons
Wake Forest is coming off perhaps its best performance of the season -- a 40-point (115-75) win over South Carolina State on Dec. 7. The Demon Deacons, 6-2, have a veteran squad with five seniors on the roster, including four in the starting lineup. Wake's experience has proven to be a real asset in several close games this season. The Deacons are 4-0 this season in games decided by five points or less. Wake Forest is averaging 80.9 points per game, out-rebounds opponents by more than five boards per game and shoots a lofty 71.1 percent from the free throw line. Consistent senior Darius Songaila (17.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game) leads the Deacons in scoring, rebounding and free throw percentage (.800). Songaila has scored in double figures in every game this season and he has recorded a double-double in three of his last four games. Senior Antwan Scott (12.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg.) is shooting nearly 60 percent (.597) from the field thanks to several close-range shots. All seven of his field goals against SC State last week were dunks. Senior Craig Dawson (12.1 ppg.) is averaging three 3-point field goals per game and he shoots 41.2 percent from behind the arc. Junior Josh Howard (11.9 ppg., 7.4 rpg.) leads the team in steals (17) but has struggled on the offensive end in each of the last two games. Senior Broderick Hicks (9.4 ppg.) leads the team in assists (30) and has scored in double figures in each of the last two games. Freshman Vytas Danelius (6.9 ppg.) is proving to be a solid sixth man. Junior Steve Lepore, senior Ervin Murray and freshmen Taron Downey and Jamaal Levy are all important parts of the rotation.
Deacons Manhandle SC State 115-75 In Most Recent Outing
Wake Forest shot 58.1 percent from the field, out-rebounded SC State 51-36 and went 34-of-46 (.739) from the free throw line in last Friday's 115-75 win over SC State. Senior Darius Songaila scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Deacons. Four other Deacs scored in double figures, including Antwan Scott, who scored 15 points on seven dunks and one free throw. Freshman Vytas Danelius came off the bench for 13 points, including 7-of-7 from the free throw line. The Deacons led 56-24 at halftime. Several Deacons recorded career highs. More from last Friday's win over SC State: - Wake Forest recorded season highs in scoring (115), scoring in one half (59, in the second half), field goals (36), three-point field goal percentage (.563), free throws (34), free throw attempts (46), defensive rebounds (37), total rebounds (51) and blocked shots (10). - Wake's 115 points were a Lawrence Joel Coliseum record and tied for the sixth-most single-game points in school history. - Songaila pulled down his 600th career rebound and earned his third double-double over the last four games. - Freshmen Taron Downey and Jamaal Levy both scored career highs.
Deacons Set Joel Coliseum Record With 115 Points Vs. SC State
Wake Forest's 115 points against SC State last Friday were the most points by a Deacon team since scoring 121 against SUNY-Buffalo on Jan. 5, 1983. The 115 points were also a Lawrence Joel Coliseum record, breaking the old record of 108 points. Wake Forest broke the Joel Coliseum record for free throws made with 34, breaking the old record of 33. WFU's 46 free throw attempts were also a Joel Coliseum record. SC State's 31 person fouls were a Joel Coliseum record. Lawrence Joel Coliseum records broken Dec. 7 in the 115-75 win over SC State:
Most Points 115 vs. SC State (Dec. 7, 2001) 108 vs. Mount St. Mary's (Nov. 16, 2000) 108 vs. Howard (Nov. 23, 1990)
Most Free Throws 34 vs. SC State (Dec. 7, 2001) 33 vs. Clemson (Feb. 8, 2000) 32, two times
Most Free Throw Attempts 46 vs. SC State (Dec. 7, 2001) 41 by Florida vs. Illinois (March 19, 2000) 41 vs. Samford (Jan. 6, 1992)
Most Personal Fouls 31 by SC State (Dec. 7, 2001) 30 by Illinois vs. Florida (March 19, 2000)
Wake-Florida State Series History
- Wake Forest leads the series, 12-11. - The Deacons swept the regular season series from the Seminoles last season for the first time since 1995-96. - Wake Forest is 8-3 when playing at home against Florida State including a 7-3 mark in Lawrence Joel Coliseum. - The Deacons and Seminoles met just twice (in 1958-59 and 1973-74) before Florida State joined the ACC in 1991-92. - The two teams have split the last eight meetings. - Six of the last seven meetings have been decided by six points or less. - Wake's Skip Prosser has never coached against Florida State. He is 1-2 all-time against ACC opponents with the only win coming ironically against Wake Forest. Before coming to Wake, Prosser's teams fell to Clemson and Maryland but beat WFU in 1998-99. - Florida State's Steve Robinson is 4-4 all-time versus Wake Forest.
Wake Forest-FSU Connections
- Florida State has three North Carolinians -- Michael Joiner (Fayetteville), Ryan Lowery (Gastonia) and Anthony Richardson (Raleigh) -- on its roster. - Wake Forest associate director of media relations Joanna Sparkman is a Florida State graduate. - Senior guard Craig Dawson's uncle, Tony Dawson, played at Florida State.
Deacon Streaks
- The Deacons have a modest four-game homecourt winning streak with wins over UNC-Wilmington, Elon, Minnesota and SC State this season. The Deacs' final two home games last season were losses to Final Four-bound Duke and Maryland. - Wake Forest has won four of its last five road games. - Wake Forest has made at least one three-point field goal in 263 consecutive games. - The Deacons are 4-0 this season in games decided by five points or less. - Wake has used the same starting lineup -- Broderick Hicks, Craig Dawson, Antwan Scott, Darius Songaila and Josh Howard -- in all eight games. - Songaila has scored in double figures in nine straight games dating back to last season. - Dawson has made at least two three-point field goals in every game this season.
Songaila Gaining Reputation As Clutch Performer
Senior Darius Songaila has made the game-winning shot in two games this season decided by one point. Songaila hit a lay-up with 2.7 seconds remaining to lift Wake Forest to a 79-78 win over UNC-Wilmington in the season opener. Without Songaila's basket, Wake Forest would own a 3-2 record right now. Nov. 21 against Fresno State, Songaila's follow tip with 1.7 seconds left gave the Deacons a 62-61 win over the Bulldogs in the semifinals of the Preseason NIT at Madison Square Garden.
Scott Leads ACC In Blocked Shots
Senior Antwan Scott, in his first year as a starter, is making the most of his senior season: - He leads the ACC in blocked shots (2.25). - Scott leads the team in minutes (30.0). - He ranks fifth in the ACC in field goal percentage (.597). - He ranks 15th in the ACC in scoring (12.5 ppg.) and 14th in rebounding (6.1 rpg.). - With 111 career blocked shots, Scott ranks sixth in Wake Forest history and is closing in on Rod Griffin (113 blocks) for fifth place.
Antwan Scott This Season Last Season Minutes Per Game 30.0 16.2 Points Per Game 12.5 6.8 Rebounds Per Game 6.1 3.6 Field Goal Percentage 59.7 48.7 Blocks Per Game 2.3 1.3
Deacon Linebacker Joins Roster
R.D. Montgomery, a 6-6, 231-pound redshirt freshman linebacker on the Deacon football team, joined Wake's basketball squad last week. Montgomery, who was a standout basketball and football player at Wilmington's Laney High School, practiced with the Deacons for the first time last Thursday. He dressed out for last Friday's game against South Carolina State and promptly saw three minutes of action. He scored one point and had one rebound.
The Skip Prosser Era In Full Swing At Wake Forest Skip Prosser, who previously served as the head coach at Loyola (MD) and Xavier, is beginning his first season at Wake Forest. His record at Wake Forest is 6-2. His career record, in nine seasons, is 171-80. Prosser comes to Winston-Salem after serving seven seasons as the head coach at Xavier, where he compiled a record of 148-65 (.695) and led the Musketeers to six postseason appearances. A 1972 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Prosser's teams won 20 games or more six times in seven years at Xavier. He has the 18th-highest winning percentage among active Division I coaches and he helped Xavier earn one of the nation's highest graduation rates. Joining Prosser on the coaching staff are former Xavier assistants Jeff Battle and Dino Gaudio and former Musketeer players Chris Mack (assistant coach) and Pat Kelsey (director of basketball operations).
Winningest Active Division I Coaches
Rk. Coach, Current School Pct. 1. Jerry Tarkanian, Fresno State .802 2. John Kresse, Charleston .801 3. Roy Williams, Kansas .800 4. Rick Majerus, Utah .742 4. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse .742 6. Rick Pitino, Louisville .739 7. Lute Olson, Arizona .738 8. Tom Izzo, Michigan State .736 8. Bob Huggins, Cincinnati .736 10. John Chaney, Temple .734 11. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke .731 12. Nolan Richardson, Arkansas .721 13. Eddie Sutton, Oklahoma State .716 14. John Calipari, Memphis .712 15. Tubby Smith, Kentucky .711 16. Jim Calhoun, Connecticut .682 17. Mike Montgomery, Stanford .680 18. Skip Prosser, Wake Forest .679 19. Larry Eustachy, Iowa State .673 20. Billy Tubbs, TCU .672 *Entering the 2001-02 season
Deacons Move Into Top 20 In Both National Polls
Wake Forest used a solid performance in a loss at 4th-ranked Kansas and a 40-point blowout of South Carolina State to move up a couple of notches in both major national polls. The Demon Deacons are ranked 19th this week (up from 23rd) in the Associated Press poll and 20th (up from 22nd) in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll. Wake Forest has been ranked in both polls for three consecutive weeks and the Deacons have been in the AP poll in 22 of the last 23 weeks. Using the AP poll as an indicator, Wake Forest is facing one of the nation's most difficult schedules this season. Six teams ranked in the top 14 are on the Deacon schedule: No. 1 Duke, No. 3 Maryland, No. 4 Kansas, No. 7 Virginia, No. 13 Syracuse and No. 14 Marquette. Three other Deacon foes -- Cincinnati, NC State and Fresno State -- received votes for the AP poll. More on Wake Forest and the national polls: n The Deacons' win over No. 23 Fresno State Nov. 21 snapped an eight-game losing streak against nationally-ranked teams. Wake Forest went 2-8 against ranked teams last season. n Wake is 1-2 against ranked foes this year -- a win over No. 23 Fresno State and losses to No. 18 Syracuse and No. 4 Kansas. n Wake Forest is ranked 17th by CBS Sportsline, 19th by The Sporting News, 22nd by CollegeRPI.com and 25th in the Sagarin ratings. n Wake's next ranked opponent will likely be undefeated and 16th-ranked Marquette on Dec. 29 in Lawrence Joel Coliseum. n If the rankings hold up, Wake would play back-to-back games against the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams Jan. 19 (Duke) and Jan. 23 (Maryland).
Prosser Has No. 1's Number
Wake Forest's Skip Prosser has coached against the nation's No. 1-ranked team three times and he has come away a winner twice. Prosser's Xavier teams beat No. 1 Cincinnati in 1999-00 and in 1996-97. His only loss to a No. 1-ranked team was an overtime decision to No. 1 Massachusetts in 1995-96. Prosser, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and Maryland's Gary Williams are the only current Atlantic Coast Conference coaches to own more than one victory against a No. 1-ranked team.
Beating The Highly-Ranked
Over the last eight seasons, Wake Forest has defeated 12 teams ranked in the top 10. That includes wins last season over No. 3 Kansas and No. 8 Virginia.
Recent Wake Wins Vs.Top 10 Teams
Opponent Site Date Result No. 8 Virginia H Jan. 2, 2001 W, 96-73 No. 3 Kansas H Dec. 7, 2000 W, 84-53 No. 4 Maryland H Jan. 31, 1999 W, 85-72 No. 7 Clemson H Feb. 12, 1997 W, 55-49 No. 7 Maryland A Feb. 1, 1997 W, 74-69 No. 2 Clemson A Jan. 23, 1997 W, 65-62 No. 10 Duke A Jan. 11, 1997 W, 81-69 No. 7 Utah A Dec. 31, 1996 W, 70-59 No. 4 N. Carolina N March 12, 1995 W, 82-80ot No. 2 N. Carolina A Feb. 28, 1995 W, 79-70 No. 7 Maryland H Feb. 15, 1995 W, 63-54 No. 5 N. Carolina H March 2, 1994 W, 68-61
Consistent Songaila Continues To Climb In Deacon Record Books
Wake Forest senior Darius Songaila continues his rise in the Wake Forest record books. Songaila ranks 17th in Wake Forest history with 1,390 career points. He will join the top 15 when he passes Alvin Rogers (1,441 points from 1979-83) and Jack Williams (1,453 from 1953-57). Last Friday, Songaila pulled down his 600th career rebound and ranks 19th all-time in that category. More on Songaila: - Songaila played in his 104th career game and started in his 94th career game last Friday against SC State. - His career free throw percentage (.817) is tied for the eighth highest in WFU history. - With 10 more points, Songaila will become just the 11th player in Wake history with 1,400 points and 600 rebounds. - Songaila ranks ninth in Wake Forest history for career blocked shots with 77. - Only eight players in school history have made more free throws than Songaila (426). - He has scored in double figures 81 times in his career and he is the only Deacon to score in double digits in every game this season. - Songaila has produced 13 career double-doubles including four this season. - He has scored 20 or more points in a game 13 times, including three times this season. - His senior season is shaping up to be his best yet. He leads the team and ranks 6th in the ACC in scoring (17.3 ppg.). He ranks 7th in the ACC in rebounding (7.9 rpg.), 8th in the ACC in field goal percentage (.548), 5th in the ACC in free throw percentage (.800) and 10th in offensive rebounds (2.50). - Songaila was named to the Preseason NIT All-Tournament team after his performances against Fresno State and Syracuse. - Over his last three games, Songaila has averaged 19.3 points per game while going 25-of-27 (.926) from the free throw line. - He has two double-doubles over his last three games.
Where Songaila Ranks In The ACC
Scoring 6th (17.3) Rebounding 7th (7.9) Field Goal Percentage 8th (.548) Free Throw Percentage 5th (.800) Offensive Rebounds 10th (2.57)
Downtown Dawson
Senior Craig Dawson is proving to be one of the most prolific and accurate perimeter shooters in the ACC. Dawson leads Wake Forest and ranks third in the ACC for three-point field goals made (3.0 per game) and he is shooting 42.1 percent (24-of-57) from behind the arc. More on Dawson: - He has made at least two three-point field goals in every game this season. - Dawson has made three or more three-pointers in a game four times this season, 24 times in his career. - He ranks fourth in Wake Forest history with 179 career three-point field goals. - With seven more three-point field goals, Dawson will rank 25th in ACC history for career three-point field goals. - Dawson played just 13 minutes in last Friday's blowout of SC State, but managed to go 3-of-4 from three-point range and score 12 points.
Murray, Dawson Rank High In ACC Statistics
Senior Ervin Murray, who led the ACC last season in assist-to-turnover ratio, currently ranks fourth in that category (2.25). Senior Broderick Hicks ranks 12th (1.11). Senior Craig Dawson ranks third in the ACC for three-point field goals (3.0). Dawson has made at least two three-pointers in every game this season. Hicks ranks 14th in the same category with 1.50 three-pointers per game. Dawson ranks 5th in the ACC for three-point field goal percentage (.396).
Freshman Trio Making Immediate Impact For The Deacons
Wake Forest's three freshmen -- forwards Vytas Danelius and Jamaal Levy and guard Taron Downey -- are becoming more and more a part of the regular rotation. Danelius has provided instant offense off the bench. Last Friday against South Carolina State, Danelius scored 13 points, grabbed five rebounds and blocked a career-high four shots. He scored eight points in 19 minutes at 4th-ranked Kansas Dec. 4. Danelius is shooting 64.7 percent from the floor and 84.6 percent from the free throw line. Downey came off the bench last Friday for a career-high seven points including a career-best two three-point field goals (on two attempts). Levy had career highs of seven points, eight rebounds and three assists last Friday against SC State.
Senior Class' Accomplishments Continue To Grow
With five fourth-year seniors on its roster, including four seniors in the starting lineup, Wake Forest has one of the ACC's most experienced groups. Four of Wake's top five scorers -- Darius Songaila (17.3 ppg.), Antwan Scott (12.5 ppg.), Craig Dawson (12.1 ppg.) and Broderick Hicks (9.4 ppg.) -- are all seniors. Seniors lead Wake in every statistical category except for steals and minutes played, which junior Josh Howard leads. Those five seniors -- Songaila, Dawson, Hicks, Ervin Murray and Scott -- have enjoyed much success over the last four years. Consider: - Wake's senior class has appeared in postseason play every season, including an NCAA Tournament appearance last season. - Over the last four seasons, Wake Forest is a combined 64-41 (.609). - The seniors have been a part of three wins over teams ranked in the top 10. - In 2001, Wake Forest won the postseason NIT championship. - The five seniors have combined to play in 515 career games.
Career Games Played/WFU History
Rk. Player (Years) Games 1. Tim Duncan (1994-1997) 128 2. Robert O'Kelley (1998-01) 127 3. Josh Shoemaker (1998-01) 126 4. Danny Young (1981-1984) 122 Tony Rutland (1995-98) 122 6. Anthony Teachey (1981-84) 121 7. Frank Johnson (1977-81) 120 Randolph Childress (1991, 93-95) 120 9. Tyrone Bogues (1984-87) 119 Rafael Vidaurreta (1998-01) 119 11. Lee Garber (1982-85) 116 12. Trelonnie Owens (1991-94) 115 Jerry Braswell (1995-98) 115 nr. Broderick Hicks (1998- ) 105 Darius Songaila (1998- ) 104 Antwan Scott (1998- ) 103 Craig Dawson (1998- ) 102 Ervin Murray (1998- ) 101
Deacons Win For Third Straight Year In ACC/Big Ten Challenge
The ACC/Big Ten Challenge, now in its third year, has been an enjoyable event for Wake Forest. The Deacons beat Minnesota Nov. 27 to improve to 3-0 all-time in the event. In 1999-00, Wake Forest beat visiting and eventual Final Four participant Wisconsin in the inaugural event. Last year, the Deacons traveled to Ann Arbor to beat Michigan. Wake Forest and Duke are the only teams that have won three games in the Challenge.
Josh Howard Is Second Team Preseason All-ACC
Junior Josh Howard was named second team Preseason All-ACC in a vote by the media. Howard finished the 2000-01 season on the All-ACC second team. He received 11 first team votes. The preseason All-ACC first team includes Jason Williams (Duke), Mike Dunleavy (Duke), Carlos Boozer (Duke), Juan Dixon (Maryland) and Lonny Baxter (Maryland).
Deacons Picked To Finish Fifth In ACC By The Media
Duke was the overwhelming choice to finish first in the ACC as voted on by the media Oct. 28 at ACC Operation Basketball. Wake Forest was picked to finish fifth -- the same place the Deacons finished in 2000-01. Duke earned 661 out of a possible 666 points. The Blue Devils were followed by Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Wake Forest. Georgia Tech was predicted to finish sixth, followed by NC State, Florida State and Clemson.
ACC Preseason Poll
Rk. Team 1st Place Total Points 1. Duke 69 661 2. Maryland 5 596 3. Virginia 483 4. North Carolina 421 5. Wake Forest 407 6. Georgia Tech 254 7. NC State 242 8. Florida State 140 9. Clemson 126
Miscellaneous Deacon Items
- Antwan Scott is just the sixth player in WFU history to block 100 career shots. He has 111 career rejections. - Seniors Broderick Hicks and Darius Songaila are serving as team co-captains in 2001-02. - With a 79-78 win over UNC-Wilmington on Nov. 12, Wake Forest is 69-28 all-time in season openers. The Deacons haven't lost a season opener since losing at Alaska-Anchorage in the opening round of the 1993 Great Alaska Shootout. - Wake Forest added three walk-ons to the roster in October: Alan Williams (6-3), Brett Hickman (6-6) and Walt Chancellor (6-1). On Dec. 7, football player R.D. Montgomery (6-7) was added to the roster. - In Wake's Oct. 26 Black/Gold scrimmage game, Craig Dawson canned a remarkable 11 consecutive shots, including nine from three-point range, without a miss. Dawson scored 43 points in the game.
Hicks Serving On Student Basketball Council
For the second year now, Broderick Hicks will voice his opinions about college basketball and being a student-athlete to a group that truly cares. Hicks is part of the National Association of Basketball Coach's Student Basketball Council. The Council is comprised of 40 student-athletes from all over the country. The group meets periodically throughout the year via teleconference to discuss issues such as monthly stipends for student-athletes. Hicks is the only ACC player on the Council.
St. John's, Unbeaten Marquette Loom On December Schedule
As if opening Atlantic Coast Conference play in December weren't difficult enough, Wake Forest has a pair of extremely difficult non-conference games remaining this holiday season. Following Sunday's game against Florida State in the ACC opener for both teams, Wake Forest will host St. Francis (PA) next Wednesday. On Dec. 22, the Deacons will play St. John's at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Red Storm is 4-2 this season. On Dec. 29, Wake will host undefeated and 16th-ranked Marquette. The Golden Eagles, 9-0, are one of college basketball's biggest surprises in 2001-02. Marquette has already won the Great Alaska Shootout and has beaten Tennessee, Indiana, Gonzaga and Dayton.
Postseason Streak At 11
Wake Forest enters the 2001-02 season with a streak of 11 consecutive postseason tournament appearances. The last time the Deacons failed to play in the postseason came in 1989-90. In fact, Deacon freshman Jamaal Levy was seven years old the last time Wake Forest didn't play past the ACC Tournament. Wake's streak of 11 consecutive postseason appearances ranks second among ACC schools. Only North Carolina, which has a streak of 35 straight postseason appearances, owns a longer streak.
Good Bloodlines
Deacon senior Craig Dawson is the nephew of NBA standout Jerry Stackhouse. Dawson spent part of last year's Christmas break at "Uncle Jerry's" wedding. Wake Forest senior guard Ervin Murray has a sister, Nicole, who is a junior guard on the UNC Greensboro women's team. Wake junior Steve Lepore's brother, Chris, was an All-American football player at Navy last year.
Redshirt Freshman Dshamal Schoetz Will Miss 2001-02 Season
Wake Forest redshirt freshman center Dshamal Schoetz will sit out the 2001-02 season after tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee. Schoetz, 7-0, injured the knee during the Oct. 19 practice session at the Kenneth D. Miller Center. The injury was confirmed by an MRI examination. Dr. Walt Curl, director of sports medicine, performed successful surgery on Schoetz Nov. 2. Expected recovery time is 9-12 months. A native of Cottbus, Germany, Schoetz redshirted last season. He came to Wake Forest after playing two seasons on the high school level at High Point Wesleyan Academy. "I feel horrible for Dshamal," Prosser said. "Of course he sat out all of last season and he had worked hard to prepare himself for this season."
Foreign Influence
Wake Forest has four foreign players on its roster -- more than any other ACC school. Two Deacons -- senior Darius Songaila and freshman Vytas Danelius -- hail from Lithuania. Redshirt freshman Dshamal Schoetz is from Germany and freshman Jamaal Levy calls Panama home.
Keeping The Streak Alive
Wake Forest has finished fifth or higher in the final ACC standings every season since 1993. Wake and North Carolina are the only two teams to achieve that feat. Over the last 11 seasons, the Deacons have finished lower than fifth just once (1992).
The Ohio Players
There's not really a coaching pipeline from the state of Ohio to Wake Forest. It only seems that way. Skip Prosser came to Wake Forest from Xavier and his three assistant coaches -- Jeff Battle, Dino Gaudio and Chris Mack -- joined him. Prosser's director of basketball operations, Pat Kelsey, played for and graduated from Xavier. First-year Deacon football coach Jim Grobe has an Ohio background. He came to Wake Forest from Ohio University and brought eight of his Bobcat assistant coaches, and a strength coach, along with him. Athletic director Ron Wellman attended college in Ohio at Bowling Green.