Wake Forest To Host Unbeaten Wisconsin Tuesday Night
11/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2005
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Game No. 7
#24/24 Wake Forest (5-1) vs.
Wisconsin (4-0)
Tip-Off: 7:02 p.m.
TV: ESPN. Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Jimmy Dykes (color) and Stacey Dales-Schuman (sidelines) call the action. Jay Kutlow attempts to produce.
Radio: ISP/Deacon Radio Network. Stan Cotten (play-by-play) and Mark Freidinger (color analysis) call the action.
Records: Wake Forest is 5-1 after a 91-78 win over previously unbeaten Appalachian State Friday night. Wisconsin is 4-0 following a 92-54 win over visiting Coastal Carolina Saturday night.
Rankings: Wake Forest is ranked 24th in the Associated Press poll and 24th in the ESPN/USA Today polls. Wisconsin is receiving votes for both national polls.
Coaches: Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy `72) is 99-36 (.733) in his fifth season with the Demon Deacons, 264-114 (.698) in his 13th season overall. Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan (Wilkes College `69) is 97-37 in his fifth season with the Badgers, 480-140 in 22 seasons overall.
Series: Wake Forest leads the all-time series, 2-0.
On Deck: Wake Forest plays Elon Dec. 3 (Saturday) in the Greensboro Coliseum. Wisconsin hosts Pepperdine Dec. 3 in Madison.
Officials: Announced on game day.
Deacons, Badgers Meet Tuesday In ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Wake Forest, 5-1 this season and 5-1 all-time in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, hosts undefeated Wisconsin Tuesday night at Lawrence Joel Coliseum (7:02/ESPN).
The 24th-ranked Demon Deacons, riding a three-game winning streak, are coming off a 91-78 win over Appalachian State Friday night. After playing three straight games decided by five points, Wake Forest has won its last two by a combined 29 points.
Wisconsin, 4-0, whipped visiting Coastal Carolina Saturday night, 92-54, after winning all three games at the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. Four Badgers average at least 11 points per game, paced by Kammron Taylor (18.5 ppg).
Tuesday's game is part of the seventh annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Wake Forest won five straight in the Challenge before losing at Illinois last season.
Wake Forest leads the all-time series with Wisconsin, 2-0, with both previous meetings coming in the Challenge. The Deacons won the last meeting, 90-80, at Madison on Dec. 4, 2002.
Deacon Streaks And Trends
- Wake Forest will put its 20-game home court winning streak on the line Friday. The Deacons have not lost in Joel Coliseum since March of 2004 and own the fifth-longest current streak in the country.
- Wake has won 50 of its last 51 home games against non-conference opponents.
- The Deacons have been ranked in the Associated Press poll for 54 straight weeks, tying a school record.
- Wake Forest has out-rebounded all six opponents this season while holding each opponent to less than 50 percent shooting.
Deacons Have Enjoyed Success In ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Aside from last year's thrashing by eventual NCAA runner-up Illinois, the ACC/Big Ten Challenge has been a highly successful event for Wake Forest.
The Demon Deacons are 5-1 all-time in the Challenge, including a 3-0 record at home and a 2-1 mark on the road. Only Duke, which is 6-0, has produced a better record in the Challenge than Wake Forest.
More on Wake Forest in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge:
- The ACC has won all six previous Commissioner's Cups. Wake is 34-19 all-time in the Challenge. North Carolina, in fact, is the only ACC team with a sub-.500 record.
- Tuesday's game will mark the third time Wake Forest has been paired with Wisconsin. The Deacons won both previous meetings.
- The Deacons beat the Badgers in Winston-Salem in 1999, the first year of the event. That Wisconsin team eventually made it all the way to the Final Four that season.
- In 2002, the Deacons won on the road against the nationally-ranked Badgers, igniting a memorable regular season for the Deacons. Josh Howard-led Wake beat Wisconsin and the Deacons went on to win their first ACC regular season championship in more than 40 years.
- Wake Forest has yet to play a "neutral" site game in the Challenge, at arenas like the Greensboro Coliseum and United Center, for example, like a few other teams in the ACC.
Challenge Opponent Date Result
at Illinois Dec. 1, 2004 L, 73-91
vs. Indiana Dec. 2, 2003 W, 100-67
at Wisconsin Dec. 4, 2002 W, 90-80
vs. Minnesota Nov. 27, 2001 W, 85-79
at Michigan Nov. 28, 2000 W, 71-60
vs. Wisconsin Nov. 30, 1999 W, 67-48
Prosser Closing In On 100th Wake Win
Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser is one win shy of his 100th victory with the Demon Deacons. That is significant because Prosser is in just the first month of his fifth season at Wake.
In each of Prosser's four previous seasons with the Deacons, Wake Forest has won at least 20 games, produced a winning record in the rugged ACC and earned an NCAA Tournament berth.
Prosser will coach his 136th Wake Forest game Tuesday night. What his teams have accomplished statistically in his tenure is remarkable:
- Wake Forest is 61-6 at home with just one loss coming to a non-conference opponent.
- Prosser's teams are 12-5 in games decided by three points or less.
- His teams are 93-5 when leading with 5:00 remaining.
- Wake Forest has out-rebounded its opponent in 102 of 135 games under Prosser.
- The Deacons have scored 100-plus points nine times.
- Prosser is a combined 40-5 in games played in November and December.
Deacs Own 20-Game Home Win Streak
Wake Forest has the nation's fifth-longest current homecourt winning streak at 20 games. The Deacons have not lost in Lawrence Joel Coliseum since March 6, 2004 versus NC State.
The 20-game home court win streak is the third-longest in school history.
The Deacons have won 50 of their last 51 non-conference home games.
On This Date In Deacon History
November 29th -- Wake Forest is a perfect 8-0 all-time on this date. The Deacons last played on November 29th in 2003, an 86-61 win over Yale in Bridgeport, CT.
The Deacons' most memorable win on this date was a 69-53 victory over Oklahoma State in 1995 as part of the Great Eight. Tim Duncan was a junior on that Deacon team.
More From Friday's Win vs. App State
- Wake Forest improved to 19-0 all-time against Appalachian State.
- The Deacons scored a season-high 91 points.
- Wake made a season-high 10 three-point field goals.
- The Deacs had season-highs for free throws (23) and attempts (37).
- Wake also had a season-high 18 assists while committing a season-low 13 turnovers.
- Seniors Justin Gray and Trent Strickland scored in double figures for the sixth consecutive game.
- Senior Eric Williams recorded his first double-double of the season and the 15th of his career.
- Freshman Harvey Hale had a career-best two three-point field goals.
Wake vs. Wisconsin: Series History
- Wake Forest leads the all-time series, 2-0.
- Both previous meetings came in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
- The Deacons and Badgers were paired in the very first Challenge in 1999, when Wake Forest beat eventual Final Four participant Wisconsin, 67-48.
- The last meeting between the two teams came on Dec. 4, 2002 -- a 90-80 Deacon victory in Madison. That win was a turning point in a memorable Wake Forest season.
- Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser is 1-1 all-time against Wisconsin. While at Xavier, his Musketeers lost to the Badgers.
- Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan is 0-1 all-time against Wake Forest.
- Wake Forest is 13-14 all-time against teams currently in the Big Ten Conference.
- The Deacons have won seven of their last eight games against Big Ten teams.
- Wake Forest is 10-5 all-time against Division I teams from the state of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin's Chappell The Son Of Former Demon Deacon Great
Wisconsin junior Jason Chappell is the son of Len Chappell, one of Wake Forest's all-time greats.
Len Chappell, a 1961 and 1962 All-American, led the Deacons to consecutive ACC championships and to the 1962 Final Four. He went on to play 10 seasons in the NBA.
Jason's brother, John, previously played at South Carolina under former Wake Forest head coach Dave Odom.
More Deacon-Badger Connections:
- Both coaches -- Skip Prosser (Pittsburgh) and Bo Ryan (Chester) -- were born in Pennsylvania.
- Both Prosser and Ryan have sons in the coaching business. Prosser's son, Mark, is an assistant coach at Bucknell. Ryan's oldest son, Will, is director of basketball operations for the Badgers.
- Former Demon Deacon Tim Duncan and former Badger Michael Finley are teammates with the San Antonio Spurs.
- Recent Deacon Josh Howard and former Badger Devin Harris both play for the Dallas Mavericks.
The Last Wake-Wisconsin Game
ACC Player of the Year Josh Howard scored 31 points to lead Wake Forest past 23rd-ranked Wisconsin, 90-80, in Madison on Dec. 4, 2002.
Four current Deacons played in that game as freshmen. Justin Gray scored 20 points, Eric Williams started and scored six points, Chris Ellis came off the bench to play 23 minutes and score six points, and Trent Strickland came off the bench to play 22 minutes and score six points.
Two current Badgers played in the game as well. Alando Tucker played 28 minutes and scored 13 points. Ray Nixon played three minutes.
Wake's ACC/Big Ten Challenge History
#5 Illinois 91, #1 Wake Forest 73 -- Dec. 1, 2004/Champaign, IL
Eventual NCAA runner-up Illinois ambushed Wake Forest, 91-73, knocking the Deacons from their No. 1 ranking. Eric Williams paced Wake Forest with 18 points.
#18 Wake Forest 100, Indiana 67 -- Dec. 2, 2003/Winston-Salem, NC
Eric Williams (25 points) and Chris Paul (20) combined for 45 points and Jamaal Levy grabbed 12 rebounds in a runaway win over the Hoosiers in Joel Coliseum.
Wake Forest 90, #23 Wisconsin 80 -- Dec. 4, 2002/Madison, WI
Josh Howard erupted for 31 points to lead the Deacons to a big road win.
Wake Forest 85, Minnesota 79 -- Nov. 27, 2001/Winston-
Salem, NC
Broderick Hicks' three-pointer with 58 seconds left sealed Wake's win over the visiting Gophers.
Wake Forest 71, Michigan 60 -- Nov. 28, 2000/Ann Arbor, MI
The Deacons overcame a three-point halftime deficit and Robert O'Kelley scored 19 points for Wake Forest.
Wake Forest 67, Wisconsin 48 -- Nov. 30, 1999/Winston-
Salem, NC
Wake led 32-14 at intermission and dominated the boards in beating eventual Final Four participant Wisconsin.
Deacons Owning The Glass So Far
Rebounding is a key to Wake Forest's success and so far the Deacons have responded.
Wake Forest has out-rebounded all six opponents this season and owns a rebound margin of +9.2. Yes, we know it's early, but the last two times the Deacons had a rebound margin of +9.0 or better, they won an ACC championship (1961) and won an ACC regular season title (2003).
Against Texas Tech on Nov. 18, the Deacons pulled down 66 rebounds -- the second-most single-game boards in school history.
Deacs Already 2-0 In Overtime Games
This year's Wake Forest team has already done something last year's team did not do -- win an overtime game. And the Deacons have done it twice.
Wake beat George Mason in overtime on Nov. 11, then topped Texas Tech in double-overtime on Nov. 18.
Last year the Deacons went 0-3 in overtime games, including a double-overtime loss to West Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Deacs have a long way to go to tie the school and ACC record of seven overtimes in one season, set in 1984.
Wake Forest is 46-47 all-time in overtime games.
Wake Forest Ties School Record With 54th Consecutive Week In AP Poll
When Wake Forest was ranked 24th in last Monday's Associated Press poll, the Deacons tied a school record by earning a spot in the poll for 54 consecutive weeks. Wake was also in the AP top 25 for 54 straight weeks ending in 1997.
The Deacons' No. 24 ranking is their lowest ranking since being ranked 25th on Dec. 23, 2002. Wake is also ranked 24th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
Only Duke, Kentucky and Arizona have been ranked in more consecutive polls than the Deacons.
In five seasons under coach Skip Prosser, Wake Forest has been ranked in the AP poll every week but four.
Seniors Have Accomplished Much
Wake Forest's senior class has combined to go 78-23 over the last four years, including a 35-13 mark in the ACC. No team has won more ACC games during that stretch.
The seniors are 19 victories away from tying the school record for the most wins over a four-year period. That record of 97 wins was set from 1994 to 1997 when Tim Duncan played for the Deacons.
Wake's five seniors are John Buck, Chris Ellis, Justin Gray, Trent Strickland and Eric Williams.
Strickland May Be One Of The Nation's Most Improved Players
Wake Forest senior Trent Strickland has often been compared to former Deacon Josh Howard. That's an unfair comparison, seeing how Howard was an NBA first-round draft pick and is currently the Dallas Mavericks' second-leading scorer.
Yet Strickland continues to play much like Howard, the 2003 ACC Player of the Year.
- He earned a double-double in three of the first six games of the season -- the first three double-doubles of his career.
- Strickland leads the Deacons in scoring (17.8 ppg) and rebounding (8.8 rpg).
- He has tripled his scoring average from one year ago.
- Against Texas Tech Nov. 18, Strickland had 16 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.
- He made his first six three-point field goal attempts of the season and is currently shooting 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from behind the arc.
- He is shooting 63.6 percent from the field.
- Strickland has already made nine three-point field goals. He made 10 all of last season.
- Strickland was named MVP of the 2k Classic Winston-Salem Regional.
- He was named ACC Player of the Week Nov. 14.
Strickland In 2005-06
vs. Mississippi Valley 16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 6-7 FGs
vs. George Mason 18 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 6-9 FGs
vs. Florida 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2-2 3pt FGs
vs. Texas Tech 16 points, *16 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
vs. UNC-Asheville 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
vs. Appalachian State *25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
* Career high
Strickland's Yearly Improvement
Season G-GS Ppg Rpg FG% FT% 3Pt-A
2005-06 6-6 17.8 8.8 .636 .800 9-16
2004-05 31-2 5.9 3.5 .489 .592 10-38
2003-04 30-6 6.4 3.4 .482 .545 13-34
2002-03 31-0 4.3 1.9 .377 .788 7-20
Big E Off And Dunking
Wake Forest senior Eric Williams, who flirted with the NBA Draft before returning to school, is off to the start he had hoped for.
Williams is averaging 16.0 points per game to go with 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals. The 6-9 Williams is shooting 65.6 percent (40-of-61) from the field, bolstered by 13 dunks.
"Big E" scored in double figures in 21 straight games until that streak ended Nov. 18 against Texas Tech. He has scored at least 20 points in a game twice this season.
Williams Joins Group With 600 Boards
Eric Williams will leave his name etched in the Wake Forest record books.
- "Big E" recorded his 600th rebound Nov. 25th and is now tied for 23rd all-time at Wake Forest with 608 boards.
- Williams is shooting 58.6 percent for his career, which ranks second in Wake Forest history and 18th in ACC history.
- He ranks 24th in Wake Forest scoring history with 1,279 career points.
- He has played in 101 games and has started 93 times. Williams will soon be the 10th player in Wake Forest history to start 100 games.
- He needs nine free throws to have 300 for his career.
- Williams ranks 12th in Wake history with 81 career blocked shots.
- With 97 career steals, he is closing in on 100.
- Williams has 139 career dunks.
Gray Finding All-American Form
Senior Justin Gray's streak of making at least one three-point field goal in 51 straight games ended in the season opener. Gray, in fact, did not make a three-pointer in either of the first two games of the season.
Since then, however, Gray has made a team-high 15 three-point field goals over the last four games.
Gray is doing more than making three-pointers. He is averaging 16.5 points per game and he has twice as many assists (30) as any other Deacon.
Against Texas Tech Nov. 18, Wake trailed 64-60 with a minute left in the first overtime. That's when Gray buried a deep 3-pointer to cut the lead to one. After Martin Zeno of the Red Raiders hit two free throws to push it to 66-63 Gray hit another long three to tie it with 3.7 seconds left. The Deacons went on to win 78-73 in two overtimes.
Not Bad For A Non-Scholarship Guy
Junior transfer Michael Drum started in the season opener, becoming the first non-scholarship player to start for the Deacons since Jim Fitzpatrick in 1999-00.
Drum started the first four games of the season. Fitzpatrick made five starts as a walk-on senior.
Even when coming off the bench, Drum has been solid. He averages 7.2 points per game, has made seven three-point field goals and shoots a team-best 82.4 percent fom the free throw line.
Hale Not Freezing Over
Freshman Harvey Hale was inserted into the starting lineup at point guard Nov. 21 against UNC-Asheville. Since then, the Deacons have gone 2-0, winning by an average of 14.5 points.
Hale is averaging 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. But more importantly, Hale has allowed Justin Gray to see more time at his natural position of shooting guard.
Not Quite Like Dad, But Pretty Good
Senior Chris Ellis isn't the perimeter shooter his dad, Dale, was at Tennessee and in the NBA. Then again, few are.
Chris, however, has emerged as a dangerous three-point shooter, despite a somewhat awkward shot. He is 8-of-13 (.615) from three-point range this season.
Ellis had no three-pointers as a freshman and sophomore, and he made 11 all of last season as a junior.
ESPN Crew Travels Many Miles To WFU
When ESPN sends Jay Kutlow to produce a game, you know it's an important game.
Kutlow travelled to Winston-Salem from Maui, where he had the difficult task of spending a week on the Hawaii island. Fortunately for Kutlow, Winston-Salem and Maui are very similar.
Color analyst Jimmy Dykes also travelled many miles to get to Winston. He worked this past weekend at the Great Alaska Shootout. Anchorage is also similar to Winston-Salem, except for the sun actually does make an appearance here.
Also working Tuesday's game is Brad Nessler, one of the best play-by-play guys in the business, and Stacey Dales-Schuman, who will be playing next season in the WNBA.
Kutlow and Dykes enjoyed solid college basketball careers at Columbia and Arkansas, respectively. Dykes is listed among Arkansas' distinguished alumni along with J. William Fulbright and Jerry Jones.
Gray Moving Up Records Ladder
Senior Justin Gray ranks 18th in Wake Forest history with 1,444 career points. He needs 10 points to pass Jack Williams for 17th place.
Gray is moving up in other categories in the Wake Forest record book:
- Gray has 239 career three-point field goals, which rank fifth in Wake Forest history and 17th in ACC history.
- With 640 career three-point attempts, he ranks fourth in Wake Forest history.
- He has 271 career assists, which ranks 13th in Demon Deacon history.
- Gray has 108 career steals, also approaching the top 10 in that category.
Wale Forest Career Scoring Leaders
Rk. Player Years GP Points
1. Dickie Hemric 1952-55 113 2,587
2. Randolph Childress 1991-95 120 2,208
3. Len Chappell 1960-62 87 2,165
4. Tim Duncan 1994-97 128 2,117
5. Skip Brown 1974-77 108 2,034
6. Rod Griffin 1975-78 107 1,985
7. Charlie Davis 1969-71 79 1,970
8. Robert O'Kelley 1998-01 127 1,885
9. Darius Songaila 1999-02 130 1,859
10. Josh Howard 2000-03 127 1,765
11. Frank Johnson 1977-81 120 1,749
12. Chris King 1988-92 113 1,721
13. Rodney Rogers 1991-93 89 1,720
14. Bob Leonard 1964-66 80 1,637
15. Lefty Davis 1953-56 84 1,564
16. Sam Ivy 1987-90 111 1,551
17. Jack Williams 1953, 56-57 82 1,453
18. Justin Gray 2003- 93 1,444
19. Alvis Rogers 1979-83 114 1,441
20. Jerry Schellenberg 1974-77 109 1,366
21. Craig Dawson 1999-02 128 1,342
22. Delaney Rudd 1982-85 114 1,329
23. Billy Packer 1960-62 89 1,316
24. Eric Williams 2003- 101 1,279
25. Tony Rutland 1995-98 122 1,273
Deacons Saw Doubles Against Tech
Three Wake Forest players -- Trent Strickland (16 rebounds), Kyle Visser (16) and Eric Williams (10) -- had double-figure rebounds against Texas Tech Nov. 18. That hasn't happened very often. In fact, three Deacons have pulled down double-digit boards in the same game just three times in the last 25 years.
Strickland and Visser, each of whom had 16 points and 16 rebounds, gave Wake Forest two players with a double-double. The previous time that happened came on Feb. 13, 2003 against Duke -- also a double-overtime Wake Forest win.
Most Players With Double-Figure Rebounds/Last 25 Seasons
3 vs. Texas Tech at New York Nov. 18, 2005
3 vs. Temple at Winston-Salem Dec. 1, 2002
3 vs. Marquette at Milwaukee Dec. 12, 1981
Deacons Renew Four In-State Rivalries
The Wake Forest schedule has a strong state of North Carolina flavor this year as the Demon Deacons play eight different teams from within the state boundaries.
Four of those opponents -- UNC-Asheville, Appalachian State, East Carolina and Charlotte -- are back on the schedule after a lengthy layoff.
Appalachian State, which Wake Forest beat 91-78 on Nov. 25, is back on the schedule for the first time in 10 years. The two teams have met 19 times since 1950.
UNC-Asheville, which Wake Forest beat Nov. 21, played the Deacons for the first time in more than 20 years. It has also been nearly 20 years since the Deacons played East Carolina.
The Deacons also play Elon, a team that has been a regular part of the Wake non-conference schedule recently. There are also a combined five games against in-state ACC opponents Duke, North Carolina and NC State.
Deacons Sign Five To Letters Of Intent
Five highly-regarded high school seniors have signed letters-of-intent to play basketball at Wake Forest next season.
L.D. Williams (East Bend, NC), Jamie Skeen (Charlotte, NC), Ishmael Smith (Concord, NC) , Anthony Gurley (Newton, MA) and Chas McFarland (Lovington, IL) all signed official letters of intent.
"I am thrilled with this recruiting class," Prosser said. "It answers many of our needs for the future. While recruiting is the most inexact of sciences, I am confident that this class will allow Wake Forest to compete with the best in the ACC and the best in the nation."
Rivals.com rated the Wake Forest recruiting class 18th nationally.
Williams, 6-4 and 185 pounds, is from the Winston-Salem area but is completing high school at Monteverde Academy in Florida. He is ranked among the top prospects nationally by Rivals.com. Williams chose Wake Forest after receiving a great deal of attention from several schools in the ACC and the SEC.
Skeen, 6-8 and 215, is embarking on his senior season at North Mecklenburg High School. Ranked among the nation's top 150 prospects, he is considered one of the nation's top high school senior small forwards. An all-state performer in 2005, Skeen led his team to the state 4A championship last season. Skeen was North Carolina's Mr. Basketball in 2005.
Smith, 5-11 and 155, gives Wake Forest an outstanding prospect at point guard. He plays for Central Cabarrus High School. Smith is considered one of the quickest players in this year's class. Smith led Central Cabarrus to a 20-8 record and to the sectional finals last season as a junior. He plays for coach Scott Brewer.
Gurley is ranked among the nation's top prep prospects by Rivals. The 6-3, 185-pound Newton North High School senior is ranked as the 22nd-best shooting guard prospect. He averaged 24 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game last season for coach Paul Connolly's team, which won the state championship last season.
McFarland, 7-0, averaged 16.7 points, 14.3 rebounds and 7.5 blocked shots per game last season at Lovington High School in Illinois, where he was an all-state selection. McFarland is playing this season at Worcester (Mass.) Academy for coach Ed Reilly.
Gray, Williams Are Wooden Candidates
Wake Forest seniors Justin Gray and Eric Williams were named two of the 50 preseason candidates for the John R. Wooden Award, which goes annually to the nation's top college player.
Gray and Williams are two of eight ACC players on the list, joining Maryland's Nik Caner-Medley, Miami's Guillermo Diaz, Boston College's Jared Dudley and Craig Smith, and Duke's J.J. Redick and Sheldon Williams.
Miscellaneous Notes
- Wake Forest has won 12 straight season openers dating back to a Nov. 25, 1993 loss to Alaska-Anchorage in the opening round of the Great Alaska Shootout.
- The Deacons have not lost a home opener since Nov. 28, 1988, against Richmond, 74-61.
Three Walk-Ons Added To Roster
Three freshmen non-scholarship walk-on players, including two with local ties, were added to the Wake Forest 2005-06 men's basketball roster.
Joining the Deacons are 6-7 forward Bobby Hoekstra (Lewisville, NC), 6-2 guard Matt Smith (Advance, NC) and 6-1 guard Mike Lepore (Flemington, NJ).
Hoekstra is a local product who enjoyed an outstanding prep career at Forsyth Country Day. A basketball and baseball standout for the Furies, Hoekstra averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds per game last season.
Smith played his prep basketball at Davie County High School, where he was all-conference and offensive team MVP.
Lepore played on the high school level at Lawrenceville Prep in New Jersey, where he lettered in both basketball and golf.
Celebrating 100 Seasons
Wake Forest is celebrating its 100th season of basketball in 2005-06 and festivities will go on throughout the year.
A commemorative 100-year logo (see top of box at right) is in place. On the agenda is a reunion of former players and coaches, a throwback (or turn-back-the-clock game) and more.
Deacon Basketball Calendar
November
28 - 3:30-7:00, practice at Joel Coliseum
28 - Freshman Matt Smith's birthday (born Nov. 28, 1985)
29 - 7:00, Wake Forest vs. Wisconsin at Joel Coliseum (ACC/Big Ten Challenge), ESPN
December
1 - 3:30-7:00, practice at the Miller Center
1 - San Antonio Spurs (Tim Duncan) at Dallas Mavericks (Josh Howard), 8:00
2 - 3:30-7:00, practice at the Miller Center
3 - 2:00, Wake Forest vs. Elon, Greensboro Coliseum
3 - New Orleans Hornets (Chris Paul) at Dallas Mavericks (Josh Howard), 8:30
4 - off
