Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons Close Out Regular Season With 'Pack
3/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 4, 2004
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Game #27
#11/11 Wake Forest (19-7/9-6) vs. #16/19 NC State (18-8/10-5)
Saturday, March 6 n 1:30 p.m. n Lawrence Joel Coliseum (14,665) n Winston-Salem, NC n CBS
Deacs Close Regular Season With 'Pack Wake Forest and NC State, both nationally-ranked, both coming off upset losses and both seeking second place in the ACC standings, meet Saturday afternoon at Lawrence Joel Coliseum (1:38 p.m./CBS). The 11th-ranked Demon Deacons, 17-9 and 9-6, are coming off an 84-82 loss at Virginia Tuesday night, ending Wake's six-game winning streak. The 16th-ranked Wolfpack, 18-8 and 10-5, lost to Maryland Wednesday night, 70-69, at the RBC Center in Raleigh. Wake Forest could tie NC State for second place in the final standings with a win Saturday. The Wolfpack, with a win, would take sole possession of second place. NC State leads the all-time series, 124-92, including a 73-68 win in Raleigh on Feb. 4. The Deacons have won 12 of the 14 meetings with State at Joel Coliseum.
Noteworthy n Saturday's game will be the final home game for two Deacon walk-ons -- senior Alan Williams and junior Scott Benken. n Joel Coliseum will be short on Wake Forest students Saturday because of spring break. n NC State, which beat Wake Forest Feb. 4 in Raleigh, is the only ACC team the Deacons have not beaten this year. In fact, Wake Forest has not been swept in a regular season series by any team since being swept by Maryland and Duke in 2001-02. n The Deacons are one win shy of their 20th win of the season and their 10th ACC win of the year. n NC State has won the last two meetings with Wake Forest, but the Deacons haven't lost to the Wolfpack in Joel Coliseum since Tim Duncan's senior season (1997).
More From The 84-82 Loss At Virginia Devin Smith's layup and free throw with 5.8 seconds left lifted Virginia to an upset of 11th-ranked Wake Forest Tuesday night in Charlottesville. More on that game: n Wake Forest out-rebounded its seventh straight opponent, 41-33. n The Deacons shot just 50 percent (12-of-24) from the free throw line -- their lowest percentage since Nov. 21, 2001. n Virginia shot 60.7 percent (17-of-28) in the second half. n Wake freshman Chris Paul led all scorers with 21 points. n Sophomore Justin Gray continued his hot-scoring streak with 20 points -- the fourth consecutive game in which he has scored at least 20 points. n Wake Forest continued to shoot the ball well from the perimeter, making 12-of-26 three-point field goal attempts (46.2 percent).
Wake Vs. State: 2nd Place On The Line Wake Forest and NC State both have a great deal to play for Saturday: n An NC State victory would give the Wolfpack sole possession of second place in the ACC and a No. 2 seed in the March 11-14 ACC Tournament. The Wolfpack hasn't finished second or higher in the ACC since finishing first in 1989. n If Wake Forest loses Saturday, the Deacons will finish no worse than tied for third place. However, depending on the outcome of other games this weekend, the Deacons' seed in the ACC Tournament could be anywhere from No. 3 to No. 5. n A Deacon victory Saturday would tie them with NC State for second place, which would be just the second time since the Tim Duncan era closed in 1997 that Wake has finished second or higher (Wake finished first in the ACC standings last year). n If Wake Forest wins Saturday and other games fall into place, the Deacons could get the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament. n A Wake victory would give the Deacons a third consecutive 20-win season and its ninth 20-win season over the last 12 years. n One more win would give the Deacons double-digit ACC victories for the second straight year, for the sixth time in 12 years and for the 11th time in the 51-year history of the league.
Gray On Roll; Earns ACC Weekly Honor Deacon sophomore Justin Gray was named ACC Player of the Week for the second straight week on Monday after leading Wake Forest to wins over Florida State and Maryland. Gray is the first Deacon to win ACC Player of the Week one season after earning an ACC Rookie of the Week honors since Darius Songaila in 1999 and 2000. Against Florida State, Gray scored a career-high 31 points, including five three-point field goals. In the win over Maryland, Gray scored 22 points and made five more three-pointers. Deacon-Wolfpack Series History n NC State leads the all-time series, 124-92. n Saturday's game will be the 217th meeting between the two schools -- the third-most frequently played series in the ACC. n The Wolfpack has won the last two meetings, including a 73-68 win in Raleigh on Feb. 4. NC State overcame a 16-point halftime deficit to win the game. n The Deacons have won 19 of the last 26 meetings. n Six of the last nine meetings have been decided by six points or less. n Wake Forest has won 12 of 14 meetings, including the last six, at Lawrence Joel Coliseum. n Wake and State have met in postseason play three times in the last five years, including the ACC Tournament in 2003 and 1999, and the postseason NIT semifinals in 2000. n The Deacons and Wolfpack first met on the hardwood back in 1910-11. n Deacon coach Skip Prosser is 4-2 all-time against NC State. n Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek is 6-12 all-time against the Deacons. Wake Forest-NC State Connections n Wake Forest freshman Todd Hendley's family has strong NC State connections. Todd's brother, Dickson, attended NC State. Sister, Kristy, is working on a sports management master's degree at State and last year she served as an academic counselor for the Wolfpack basketball team. n Deacon sophomore Trent Strickland and State sophomore Cameron Bennerman were teammates at Hargrave Military Academy. n Strickland and Wake's Richard Joyce joined NCSU's Bennerman and Adam Simons on the same AAU team. n Former Wake assistant media relations director Bill Newton now works in a similar capacity at NC State. n Wake Forest women's assistant basketball coach Sharon Manning played at NC State.
The Last Meeting: State 73, Wake 68 Marcus Melvin had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and North Carolina State rallied from an 18-point deficit to upset No. 16 Wake Forest 73-68 on Feb. 4. Julius Hodge scored 18 points for the Wolfpack, while Scooter Sherrill added 16. Justin Gray scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half to lead the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest overwhelmed the Wolfpack's defense in the first half, shooting 59 percent to take a 46-30 lead at the break. But the Wolfpack played better defense in the second half, tightening up on the perimeter and slowing the Deacons' up-tempo attack. After seeming to score from everywhere on the court in the first half, Wake struggled to 16 points in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Wake Forest shot just 24 percent after the break. The Deacons led 62-56 on a free throw from Williams, but the Wolfpack responded with an 11-1 run by taking the ball to the hole and getting to the free-throw line. Sherrill, a senior, came through with eight straight points that put N.C. State ahead to stay. After a three-point play from Melvin, Sherrill drained a 3 off a turnover to tie it at 62 with 4:41 to play. He followed with two free throws for N.C. State's first lead at 64-62 with 3:46 left. Then, after a free throw from Jamaal Levy, Sherrill scored on a putback and completed the three-point play for a 67-63 lead with 3:02 left. Rebounding, 3-Point Shooting Key Recently Over its last seven games, Wake Forest has gone 6-1, beating three nationally-ranked teams and winning three road games. In those seven games, the Deacons have excelled in two categories -- rebounding and three-point shooting. n Wake has out-rebounded each of its last seven opponents, by an average of 7.7 boards per game. n The Deacons have moved up to first in the ACC in rebound margin (ACC games only) with a +4.9 margin. n Individually, junior Jamaal Levy has averaged 9.6 rebounds over the last seven games. n Wake Forest has shot 46.9 percent (68-of-145) from three-point range over those seven games. n In ACC games only, Wake Forest now leads the ACC in three-point field goal percentage (.393). n The Deacons have made 11 or more three-point field goals in a game five times this season. Three of those have come in their last three games. n The two games in which Wake Forest has made its most three-point field goals this season have come in its last two games.
Last 7 Games Rebound Margin 3-Point Percentage at Clemson +3 37.5 (6-16) vs. Cincinnati +5 66.7 (10-15) vs. Duke +3 38.9 (7-18) at Georgia Tech +10 56.3 (9-16) vs. Florida State +8 35.5 (11-31) at Maryland +17 56.5 (13-23) at Virginia +8 46.2 (12-26) Combined Average +7.7 46.9
Deacs To Face Ninth Ranked Opponent Wake Forest will face its ninth nationally-ranked opponent on Saturday. n Wake Forest, 4-4 against ranked teams this season, played just six ranked teams all of last season. n Wake has defeated four ranked teams for the first time since beating six ranked teams in 1996-97. n The Deacs have beaten two teams ranked in the top five -- No. 4 North Carolina and No. 3 Duke -- for the first time since 1994-95. n Wake has two road wins this season against ranked teams -- at then-No. 4 North Carolina on Dec. 20 and at No. 18 Georgia Tech Feb. 22 -- for the first time since 1996-97. n The Deacs beat three ranked teams -- No. 13 Cincinnati, No. 3 Duke and No. 18 Georgia Tech -- in consecutive games for the first time in school history. Prosser: 65 Wins In Three Seasons At WFU Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser has guided Wake Forest to 65 wins -- or an average of 21.7 victories per season -- in his three years with the Demon Deacons. His ACC coaching start is one of the best in league history: n Prosser's winning percentage in ACC league games (.659/31-16) is the third-highest percentage ever by a coach in his first three seasons in the conference. Vic Bubas (.667) and Bill Guthridge (.667) are tied for first. n His overall winning percentage at Wake Forest (.714/65-26) gives him the fifth-highest percentage in the 51-year history of the ACC. Only Dean Smith (.776), Mike Krzyzewski (.776), Bubas (.761) and Guthridge (.741) have/had higher percentages. n Prosser's career winning percentage (.689/230-104) is the 15th-highest among all active Division I coaches. n Wake Forest's 65 wins in three seasons ties for the fifth-most wins over a three-year period in school history. n The Deacons have won 31 ACC regular season games in three years under Prosser. Only Duke (36 wins) and Maryland (31) join Wake Forest as the teams to win more than 30 conference games over the last three seasons combined. n In Prosser's three years with the Deacons, Wake has scored 100-plus points six times. Before his arrival, the Deacons reached 100 points just five times in the previous 13 years. n Prosser was the unanimous selection for ACC Coach of the Year in 2003.
One Of The Nation's Toughest Schedules Wake Forest has faced one of the nation's most difficult schedules this season: n The Wake schedule is ranked as the third-toughest by Sagarin and the eighth-most difficult by CollegeRPI. n Seven Wake Forest opponents are in the AP top 20 -- (3) Duke, (10) Texas, (13) Cincinnati, (14) North Carolina, (16) NC State, (19) Georgia Tech and (20) Memphis. n Ten Wake opponents have an RPI of 47 or better. n Wake's final 17 games of the regular season included 15 ACC games, plus dates with nationally-ranked Texas and Cincinnati.
Wake Among Nation's Top-Scoring Teams After averaging nearly 88 points over the last six games, Wake Forest has taken over first place in the ACC for scoring offense (84.3 points per game). The Deacons rank third nationally in scoring offense. The Deacons are averaging more points per game than any Wake Forest team since 1976.
The "Big Four" The "Big Four" -- Wake Forest, Duke, North Carolina and NC State -- have all enjoyed great seasons. All four teams are ranked in the top 20 of both major polls. If North Carolina (at Duke) and Georgia Tech (vs. Florida State) both have the same result on Saturday, the Big Four would rank 1-2-3-4 in the final ACC standings. That has happened three previous times in the 51-year history of the league -- 1991, 1961 and 1956. North Carolina and Georgia Tech enter Saturday tied for fourth place with 8-8 records. A Wake Forest win Saturday would give the Deacons a .500 record this season against "Big Four" opponents Duke, North Carolina and NC State. The Deacons have already split regular season series with Duke and North Carolina. Coach Skip Prosser is 11-8 versus Big Four schools in his three years with the Deacons.
Magic Number: 83 Wake Forest is undefeated (13-0) when it scores at least 83 points. The Deacons are averaging 84.3 points per game this season. The Deacons are also undefeated (9-0) when they shoot 50 percent or better. Paul A Finalist For Wooden, Cousy Awards Deacon freshman Chris Paul is a finalist for two of college basketball's most prestigious individual awards -- the John R. Wooden Award and the Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard Award. He is one of 30 finalists for the Wooden Award and Wooden All-America Team Paul is one of just two freshmen on the Wooden list, joining Minnesota's Kris Humphries. He is one of five ACC players on the list, joining Duke's Chris Duhon, Georgia Tech's B.J. Elder, NC State's Julius Hodge and UNC's Sean May. Paul is one of 16 finalists for the Cousy Award and he is the only freshman on the list of candidates. North Carolina's Raymond Felton is the other ACC player on the list of candidates.
Deacons Up To 11th In The Polls Wake Forest remained stationary in the Associated Press and ESPN/ USA Today polls this week at No. 11. More on Wake in the polls: n The Deacons, ranked as high as 4th this season, are at their highest position in the Associated Press poll since being ranked 10th on Jan. 19. n Four other ACC teams are in the AP poll -- (3) Duke, (14) North Carolina, (16) NC State and (19) Georgia Tech. n The Deacons have been ranked in the AP poll for 30 consecutive weeks dating back to last season. Duke is the only ACC team with a longer current streak. n Wake has been ranked in the AP poll 44 times in 51 weeks under Skip Prosser. n Wake is ranked 5th in the Sagarin Ratings, 7th at CollegeRPI.com, 11th at CBS Sportsline and 12th by Blue Ribbon Yearbook.
Wake Forest 2-0 In Extra Minutes Wake Forest is 2-0 this season in overtime games this season after it beat visiting Florida State, 90-87, Feb. 25. The Deacons beat North Carolina in triple-overtime back on Dec. 20, 119-114. Oddly, the Florida State game was Wake's first overtime game that didn't go to at least a second overtime since Jan. 31, 2001.
Wake One Of Nation's Youngest Teams n With no scholarship seniors on the roster, Wake Forest is one of college basketball's youngest teams. In fact, the Deacons are one of just six Division I schools with no scholarship seniors on the roster. n Walk-on Alan Williams is the only senior on the Deacon roster. n Wake Forest has just three juniors on the roster to go with five sophomores and four freshmen. n Wake's top three scorers are all freshmen or sophomores. In fact, freshmen and sophomores have combined to produce 68.8 percent of the Deacons' point total (1,508 of 2,191 points). n In the last seven games, Wake has started two freshmen and one sophomore.
Deacons Reach Victory Milestones Wake Forest earned all-time win No. 1,300 Feb. 22 at Georgia Tech. Wake's win at Maryland Feb. 28 was its ninth ACC win of the season, securing a winning record in league play for the third straight year. The win at Maryland also guaranteed Wake Forest at least tied for third place in the ACC standings for the third straight year and for the eighth time in the last 12 years.
Last Hurrah For Senior Walk-Ons Wake Forest had "Senior Night" Feb. 25 to honor two Deacon players and two student-managers. Walk-on Alan Williams is the only true senior and the only fourth-year player on the Deacon roster. Williams' career began as a walk-on under coach Dave Odom in the 2000-01 season. He has been a part of one of the best four-year runs in Wake Forest history as the Deacons have won 83 games in the last four seasons combined. Scott Benken, who earned a spot on the roster with his remarkable work ethic, is in his second year with the Deacons. He will graduate in the spring and enroll in pharmacy school. Also honored were managers Tom Norton and Adam Ampuja.
Deacons Have Had Their Share Of Injuries Wake Forest head trainer, assistant athletic director Greg Collins, has been one of the most active people on the Deacon staff this season as Wake has suffered more than its share of injuries. Four different Deacons have missed a combined 14 games. Junior Vytas Danelius (high ankle sprain) missed five straight games before returning to action Jan. 13 at Texas. Sophomore Chris Ellis is back in the fold after breaking a bone in his foot on the first day of practice. Freshmen Kyle Visser and Todd Hendley missed one game each.
Home Court Streak Ends At 24 Wake Forest's home loss to Georgia Tech Jan. 20 ended a 24-game home court win streak and marked the Deacons' first loss at Joel Coliseum since Feb. 21, 2002, against Duke. The 24-game streak fell one short of tying the school record for consecutive home court wins.
Wake Signs One In Early Signing Period Cameron Stanley, a 6-7 senior at Raleigh Millbrook High School, signed a letter-of-intent to play basketball at Wake Forest, Demon Deacon head coach Skip Prosser confirmed November 19. Stanley averaged 21.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game as a junior in 2002-03 while leading Millbrook to a 26-5 record. He was a finalist for North Carolina's Mr. Basketball, he earned a spot on the all-conference team and he emerged as one of the nation's top prospects at the ABCD camp in Teaneck, N.J.. Stanley was also invited to USA Basketball's Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs, Colo. As a sophomore, Stanley averaged 19.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The current Wake Forest roster includes no scholarship seniors. Assuming the roster remains intact, Stanley will be one of nine North Carolina natives on the 2004-05 Deacon roster.
Wake Forest Retires Howard's Jersey Wake Forest retired the jersey of former consensus All-American Josh Howard during a ceremony at halftime of Wake's Jan. 29 game against Maryland. Howard, currently a rookie with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, attended the ceremony. In 2003, Howard enjoyed a remarkable season. He was the first unanimous selection for ACC Player of the Year since NC State's David Thompson in 1975. Howard, a consensus first team All-American last season, is one of five players in the history of the ACC to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 200 steals and 100 blocked shots. He led Wake Forest to a 25-6 record in 2003 and the Deacons won the ACC regular season title for the first time in more than 40 years. Howard's jersey is the 10th to be retired at Wake Forest and the first since Tim Duncan in 1997. Other Deacons to have their jerseys retired: Tyrone Bogues, Skip Brown, Len Chappell, Randolph Childress, Charlie Davis, Rod Griffin, Dickie Hemric and Rodney Rogers.
Downey Made Remarkable Recovery To Lead Deacons To Season-Opening Win Junior guard Taron Downey was expected to play sparingly -- if at all -- in Wake Forest's season opener Nov. 13 against Memphis in Madison Square Garden. After all, just eight days earlier, Downey had an emergency appendectomy. He took part in just one practice and avoided all contact drills prior to the team's departure to New York. Freshman Chris Paul started in Downey's spot at point guard. When sophomore guard Justin Gray got into foul trouble, Downey was inserted into the game. Coach Skip Prosser continually consulted with Downey on his condition and the junior ended up playing 29 minutes. Downey scored a career-high 20 points, made 4-of-7 three-point field goals and he added five assists, five rebounds and a blocked shot. For his efforts, he was named Coaches vs. Classic game MVP. A chronological look at Downey's week: Nov. 4 -- Downey began feeling poorly and had difficulty sleeping. Nov. 5 -- After consulting with head trainer Greg Collins, Downey's blood was tested. Later that night, an appendectomy was performed. Nov. 6 -- Downey was released from the hospital. Nov. 10 -- Downey dressed out for practice but limited only to shooting. Nov. 11 -- Downey went through a full practice, although avoiding contact drills. Nov. 12 -- Team takes a turbulent flight to New York. Nov. 13 -- Downey comes off the bench to play 29 minutes, score a career-high 20 points, make four three-point field goals, dish out five assists, grab five rebounds and block one shot.
Miscellaneous n Several members of the Deacon basketball team took part in Santa's Helpers Dec. 12-13. Some 60 Deacon student-athletes from all sports helped purchase gifts for area needy families. They wrapped the gifts and delivered them personally to the families. Wake's Chris Paul dressed as Santa Claus. n The Wake Forest-Texas game on Jan. 13 drew the largest crowd (16,837) in the history of UT's Erwin Center. n Apparently, the basket is bigger in Texas -- at least for sophomore Justin Gray. In two games this season in the Lone Star State (vs. SMU and Texas), Gray made 14 three-point field goals (6 vs. SMU, 8 vs. Texas). n Sophomore Trent Strickland is wearing jersey No. 33 this year after wearing No. 34 last season. n Wake Forest has played against the sons of some pretty famous dads this season -- North Carolina's Sean May (Scott May), Indiana's Patrick Ewing, Jr., and Yale's John Shumate. Last season the Deacons played SC State's Moses Malone, Jr. Of course, Wake's own Chris Ellis is the son of Dale Ellis. n Four former Deacons -- Tim Duncan (San Antonio), Rodney Rogers (New Jersey), Josh Howard (Dallas) and Darius Songaila (Sacramento) -- are on NBA rosters. n Deacon head coach Skip Prosser has never lost a season opener in 11 years of coaching.
"The Mayor" n One of just two freshmen -- joining Minnesota's Kris Humphries -- on the midseason list of 30 candidates for the John R. Wooden Award. n The only freshman candidate for the Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard Award. n Named ACC Rookie of the Week five times -- the most since Georgia Tech's Dion Glover won the award five times in 1997-98. Only Kenny Anderson (10 times), Sam Perkins (6), Bryant Stith (6) and Joe Smith (6) won ACC Rookie of the Week more than five times since the award originated in 1970-71. n Over the last eight games, Paul has averaged 17.0 points, 6.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 60.9 percent (14-of-23) from three-point range. n Ranks third in the nation and first in the ACC in steals per game (2.85). n Leads all ACC freshmen and ranks fourth in the ACC in assists per game (5.69). n Ranks fifth in the ACC in assist-turnover ratio (2.11). n His 74 steals are the third-most single-season steals in Wake Forest history. Only Muggsy Bogues, who had 89 steals in 1986 and 85 steals in 1985, ranks ahead of Paul. Paul's 74 steals shatter the Wake Forest freshman record of 53 held by Rodney Rogers. n He also owns Wake Forest freshman records for assists (148) and three-point percentage (.465). n His is the co-holder of Wake freshman single-game records for assists (10) and steals (6). n Attempting to be the first freshman to lead the ACC in steals since NC State's Chris Corchiani in 1988. n Attempting to become the first Deacon player, regardless of class, to lead the ACC in steals since Bogues did it three straight years from 1985-87. n His free throw percentage (.827) is the second-highest ever by a Deacon freshman, ranks second overall in the ACC and he goes to the line more than any Deacon. n Has started every game and leads the team in minutes played (33.4 mpg.). n The shortest player on the roster, Paul (6-0) has 10 blocked shots. n Paul (13.7 points per game) ranks second among ACC freshmen in scoring.
"J-Gray" On a very balanced team, sophomore guard Justin Gray has emerged as one of the top players in the ACC -- a prime candidate for first team All-ACC honors. n Since Jan. 29, Gray has been arguably the ACC's hottest player, averaging 22.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 three-point field goals and 2.7 assists per game. n He was named ACC Player of the Week in consecutive weeks (Feb. 23 and March 1). n Gray seems to play his best in big games. Against nationally-ranked teams, Gray averages 18.9 points, 3.1 assists and 3.8 three-point field goals per game. n He averages more points on the road (20.1) than overall (17.1). n He ranks third in the ACC in scoring (17.1) and second in ACC games only (19.1). n With 82 three-point field goals in 26 games this season, Gray ranks second in the ACC for three-pointers per game (3.15). In ACC games only, he is tied for first (3.27). n Gray ranks in the ACC's top 15 in seven different statistical categories -- three-point field goals (2nd), free throw percentage (3rd), scoring (3rd), assist-turnover ratio (10th), assists (11th), field goal percentage (11th) and three-point field goal percentage (9th). Only NC State's Julius Hodge (9 categories) ranks in more statistical categories than Gray. n He has turned his game up a notch by being more aggressive on offense. He has gone to the line more often over his 10 eight games (58) than he did in his first 16 games (43). n Gray has made at least one three-point field goal in 37 out of his last 38 games. n He has made 19 three-point field goals over the last four games. n He is shooting 82.2 percent from the free throw line, which ranks third in the ACC. n Even though he missed eight games last season because of a broken jaw, he has already amassed 737 career points. n With 117 career three-point field goals, he already ranks 8th in Wake Forest history. n His 82 three-pointers this season are the fifth-most single-season three-pointers in Wake history. n Gray made a career-high eight three-point field goals Jan. 13 at Texas en route to 27 points. His eight three-pointers were the most in the ACC this season and tie for the 11th-most in ACC history. n His 18 three-point attempts at Texas broke a Wake Forest single-game record and tie for the third-most in ACC history.
TaronDOWNEY Junior / Guard / 6-2 / Oxford, NC Junior guard Taron Downey has proven to be productive as a starter (54 career starts) or as Wake's sixth man. n Downey is playing his best basketball of the season. Over his last four games, including wins against Georgia Tech, Florida State and Maryland -- Downey has averaged 14.5 points and 3.5 assists per game while making 11-of-20 three-point field goal attempts. n Downey has made a three-point field goal in 16 straight games. n Downey's career free throw percentage (.835) is the fifth-highest in Wake Forest history. His free throw percentage this season (.828) would be one of the highest percentages in Wake history. n His three-point percentage in ACC games (44.4) ranks third in the league. n He has 122 career three-point field goals, which ranks as the seventh-most in Wake Forest history. n With 276 career assists, Downey ranks 11th in Wake history. n With 742 career points, he is on track to become the 42nd Deacon to score 1,000 career points. n Downey leads the team with 91 career games played. n He is one of three team captains.
JamaalLEVY Junior / F / 6-9 / Panama City, Panama At 6-9 and just 180 pounds, Jamaal Levy is a good example of one of Skip Prosser's favorite sayings: "It's not how big you are, it's how big you play." Levy uses his thin frame and quickness to his advantage as one of the ACC's best rebounders: n Levy ranks third in the ACC in rebounding (8.5 rpg.), and in ACC games only he is averaging 9.2 rebounds per game, which also ranks third. n In ACC games only, he leads the league in offensive rebounds per game. n Over his last two games, Levy has 23 rebounds to go with 22 points. n He has pulled down double-figure rebounds in eight games this season including three of the last four games. n Levy's production is not limited to rebounding and defense. He scored a career-high 19 points against North Carolina Feb. 7 and he has scored in double figures 13 times this season. n At 6-9, he has the ability to shoot from the perimeter. Levy has six three-point field goals this season and 20 for his three-year career. n He had three double-doubles in February and has five overall this season. n Levy is shooting a team-best 54.6 percent from the field, which would easily lead the ACC if he had enough field goals made to qualify. n He leads the team and ranks 11th in the ACC in blocked shots. n With 62 career blocked shots, he already ranks 12th in Wake Forest blocked shots history.
EricWILLIAMS Sophomore / C / 6-9 / Wake Forest, NC Sophomore center Eric Williams weighs about the same as he did last year (275 pounds), but he has gotten stronger and lowered his body fat. The Wake Forest (NC) native has also re-shaped his game. n Williams has improved his scoring average from 8.7 ppg. last season to 12.3 ppg. this season. n He has scored in double figures in five of his last six games. n Williams is shooting 52.6 percent from the floor and he shoots 67.6 percent from the free throw line. n "Big E" has been instrumental in two of Wake Forest's biggest victories this season. He scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the Feb. 18 win over No. 3 Duke. He hit what proved to be the game-winning shot in the third overtime of the Dec. 20 win at No. 4 North Carolina. He scored 24 points against the Tar Heels. n Williams ranks among the ACC leaders in three statistical categories -- offensive rebounds (6th), rebounds (11th) and scoring (18th). n He was ACC Player of the Week Dec. 22.
