Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons Try To Regroup Saturday Against Virginia Tech
1/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2006
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Game No. 20 / Lawrence Joel Coliseum
Wake Forest (12-7/1-5) vs. Virginia Tech (10-8/0-5)
Tip-Off: 3:05 p.m.
TV: Jefferson-Pilot Sports. Tim Brant (play-by-play) and Smilin' Dan Bonner (color) call the action. Rob Reichley is the producer.
Radio: Wake Forest ISP Sports Network. Stan Cotten (play-by-play) and Mark Freidinger (color analysis) call the action.
Live Stats: WakeForestSports.com.
Records: Wake Forest is 12-7 overall and 1-5 in the ACC after a 75-68 loss at home to Florida State Tuesday night. Virginia Tech is 10-8 and 0-5 heading into Thursday night's home game against No. 1-ranked Duke.
Rankings: Wake Forest is not ranked. Virginia Tech is not ranked.
Coaches: Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy `72) is 106-42 (.716) in his fifth season with the Demon Deacons, 271-120 (.693) in his 13th season overall.
Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg (Fairleigh Dickinson `78) is 41-36 in three seasons with the Hokies, 254-206 in 16 seasons overall.
Series: Wake Forest leads the all-time series, 25-20.
On Deck: Wake Forest travels to Miami Tuesday night. Virginia Tech will host Georgia Tech Tuesday night.
Officials: Announced on game day.
Demon Deacons Hungry For Win, Hosts Virginia Tech Saturday In Joel Coliseum
Wake Forest, which lost for the fifth time in six games Tuesday night, hosts Virginia Tech Saturday afternoon in Lawrence Joel Coliseum (3:05 p.m./Jefferson-Pilot Sports TV). The Demon Deacons find themselves in the unfamiliar position of trying to avoid last place in the ACC standings.
The Deacons, 12-7 overall and 1-5 in the ACC, are coming off a disappointing 75-68 loss at home to Florida State Tuesday night. The Deacons shot just 35.1 percent and scored just two fast-break points in the loss to the Seminoles.
Seniors Justin Gray (19.6 ppg) and Eric Williams (16.2 ppg/8.8 rpg), Wake's John R. Wooden Award candidates, have been on a roll over the last two weeks. Gray scored a team-high 19 points Tuesday night and Williams recorded his fourth double-double of the season.
Virginia Tech, 10-8 and 0-5, takes a four-game losing streak into Thursday night's home game against No. 1 Duke. The Hokies lost to the Blue Devils 77-75 on Dec. 4 on a buzzer-beater.
Juniors Coleman Collins (17.0 ppg) and Zabian Dowdell (15.2 ppg) give Virginia Tech a solid one-two scoring punch.
Wake Forest leads the all-time series with Virginia Tech, 25-20. The Demon Deacons have won the last six meetings, including an 83-63 victory in Blacksburg last season.
Saturday's Storylines
- Wake Forest will induct former women's golfer Stephanie Neill Harner and former football standout Michael McCrary into the Deacon Sports Hall of Fame this weekend. After official induction Friday night, the duo will be recognized during Saturday's basketball game.
- Wake Forest, which has been out-rebounded just twice all season, owns the best rebound margin in the ACC and one of the best in the country at +9.6.
- Wake's Justin Gray has scored in double figures in all 19 games; he has made at least one three-point field goal in 68 of his last 70 games; and he enters Saturday's game with 1,717 career points, within striking distance of moving up the Deacon all-time scoring chart.
More From Tuesday's Loss vs. FSU
Wake Forest out-rebounded Florida State, 41-33, made and attempted eight more free throws than the Seminoles and committed a modest 13 turnovers Tuesday night. The Deacons, however, scored just two fast-break points and shot just 35.1 percent. More from Tuesday's game:
- Wake Forest's field goal percentage (.351) was its lowest since shooting 30.0 percent at Richmond Dec. 22.
- Foul problems hurt the Deacons for the second straight game. Wake Forest had two players -- Chris Ellis and Trent Strickland -- foul out for the first time all season.
- Senior center Eric Williams endured a viral illness and dehydration to record his fourth double-double of the season (12 points, 12 rebounds).
- The Wake Forest bench was outscored, 37-6.
Seniors Justin Gray And Eric Williams On Remarkable Individual Rolls
Wake Forest may have lost four of its last five games, but the efforts of Wake Forest's two All-ACC and All-America candidates -- seniors Justin Gray and Eric Williams -- have been superb:
- Over the last five games, Gray has averaged 24.6 points, 3.8 three-point field goals, 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 43.2 percent from three-point range and 85.7 percent from the free throw line.
- Williams, during that same stretch, has averaged 16.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocked shots per game while shooting 58.6 percent.
- Gray scored at least 25 points in three straight games, including a career-high 38 points at Maryland Jan. 15, before being "held" to 33 points over his last two games. Gray's 38-point effort against the Terrapins tied for the most points by a Deacon player in the Skip Prosser era.
- Williams has three double-doubles over the last five games, including a 12-point, 12-rebound effort Tuesday night against Florida State. He managed those numbers despite suffering from a viral illness and dehydration.
- Williams had 20 rebounds at Clemson Jan. 11 -- the most by a Deacon player since Tim Duncan in 1997.
- Gray and Williams form one of the most prolific scoring duos in Wake Forest history. Gray (1,717 career points) and Willliams (1,490) have combined for more than 3,200 points.
Comparing The Wins And Losses
When comparing Wake Forest's 12 wins this season with its seven losses, the glaring statistical differences are on defense.
The Deacons average just over 75 points per game in both wins and losses and they have rebounded consistently well throughout the season.
However, Wake opponents have averaged just 63.1 points per game in Deacon victories, compared to 82.0 points per game in Deacon losses. In the 12 wins, Wake has held opponents to just 35.4 percent shooting. In the losses, the opponent's field goal percentage balloons to 48.0 percent.
In Wake's seven losses, Deacon opponents have gone to the free throw line often (23.3 times per game) and Wake has blocked an average of just 3.3 shots per game.
Prosser: 106 Wake Wins & Counting
In just five seasons at Wake Forest, Skip Prosser's teams have accumulated 106 victories, meaning his Deacons have averaged 21.3 wins per season during his tenure.
Prosser's record at Wake Forest stands at 106-42 (.716). His career record is 271-120 (.693) in 13 seasons overall.
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 ACC and earned an NCAA Tournament berth.
Prosser will coach his 149th Wake Forest game Saturday. What his teams have accomplished statistically in his tenure is remarkable:
- Over the last four seasons combined (including this season), Wake Forest has won 36 ACC games. Only Duke, with 40 wins, has won more league games during that time.
- Wake Forest is 66-9 at home with just two losses coming to a non-conference opponent.
- Prosser's teams are 13-7 in games decided by three points or less.
- His teams are 100-6 when leading with 5:00 remaining.
- Wake Forest has out-rebounded its opponent in 112 of 148 games under Prosser.
- The Deacons have scored 100-plus points nine times under Prosser.
- Prosser is a combined 45-6 in games played in November and December.
Two Going Into HOF This Weekend
Two of Wake Forest's all-time greats - golfer Stephanie Neill Harner and football standout Michael McCrary - will be inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame Friday.
The induction ceremony will take place Friday at Bridger Field House. Harner and McCrary will also be recognized at halftime of Saturday's basketball game between the Demon Deacons and Virginia Tech.
Wake vs. Tech: The Series History
- Wake Forest leads the all-time series, 25-20.
- Virginia Tech will play its second game in Lawrence Joel Coliseum, but its first as a member of the ACC.
- The Deacons and Hokies will meet just one time during the regular season for the second straight year.
- Wake Forest has won the last six meetings, including an 83-63 win in Blacksburg last season.
- The two teams will meet in Winston-Salem for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
- Two of the last seven meetings have gone into overtime.
- In Blacksburg, Virginia Tech leads the series, 8-6.
- The Hokies last beat Wake Forest on Feb. 19, 1977, 98-97 in overtime, in Winston-Salem.
- Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser is 8-4 all-time against Virginia Tech, including a 1-0 record while at Wake Forest and a 7-4 mark while coaching at Xavier.
- Hokie coach Seth Greenberg is 0-1 all-time against Wake Forest.
- Wake Forest is 184-101 all-time against Division I teams from the commonwealth of Virginia.
Deacon-Hokie Connections
- Virginia Tech assistant coach Ryan Odom is the son of former Demon Deacon head coach, Dave Odom. Ryan Odom attended high school in Winston-Salem at R.J. Reynolds.
- Two Deacon seniors -- Justin Gray (Oak Hill Academy) and Trent Strickland (Hargrave) -- played on the prep level in Virginia.
- Strickland and Tech's A.D. Vassallo both played previously at Hargrave Academy.
- Wake Forest's Chris Ellis (Marietta) and Virginia Tech's Wynton Witherspoon (Atlanta) and Coleman Collins (Stone Mountain) are all from the Atlanta area.
Comparing The Campuses
Wake Forest Virginia Tech
Winston-Salem, NC Location Blacksburg, VA
1834 Founded 1872
4,037 Undergrad Enrollment 21,400
Private Private/Public Public
Muggsy Bogues 90s Charlotte Teammates Dell Curry
Wake Forest College Founded As Virginia A&M
Wachovia Center Tallest Building In Town Slusher Tower
Deacons Getting Share Of Close Ones
If playing close games is good experience for March, Wake Forest should be well-prepared for the postseason.
The Demon Deacons have played eight games decided by five points or less, earning a 4-4 record. No other team in the ACC has played in more than four such games.
The Deacons have played in an ACC-high three overtime games.
Wake's Close Calls In 2005-06
Result Opponent Site Date
L, 86-90 Maryland A Jan. 15, 2006
L, 73-74 (ot) Clemson A Jan. 11, 2006
W, 58-54 East Carolina H Jan. 3, 2006
L, 81-84 DePaul H Dec. 13, 2005
W, 91-88 Wisconsin H Nov. 29, 2005
W, 78-73 (2ot) Texas Tech ny Nov. 18, 2005
L, 72-77 Florida ny Nov. 17, 2005
W, 83-78 (ot) George Mason H Nov. 11, 2005
Wake Playing Extra Minutes
There have been four overtime games this season involving ACC teams and Wake Forest has been a part of three of them.
The Deacons beat George Mason in overtime at home, topped Texas Tech in double-overtime in New York, and lost to Clemson in overtime Jan. 11.
More on Wake Forest and overtime games:
- This year's Wake Forest team has done something last year's team did not do -- win an overtime game. 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 46-48 all-time in overtime games, including a 5-5 mark under coach Skip Prosser.
- The Deacons have lost three straight road overtime games.
Rebounding A Real Deacon Strength
Rebounding is always an emphasis of a Skip Prosser-coached team and this season is no different.
Wake Forest ranks first in the ACC and fifth nationally in rebound margin (+9.6). In 19 games this season, the Deacons have been out-rebounded just two times. More on the Deacons' rebounding:
- Wake's rebound margin ranks second in school history.
- Wake is producing a rebound margin of +9.0 or higher for just the third time in school history. In 2003, the Deacons led the nation in rebound margin (+9.7). In 1961, Wake used a +9.0 margin to help win its first ever ACC championship.
- Three of the top five rebounding teams in Wake Forest history have come under coach Skip Prosser.
- Eric Williams (8.8 rpg) ranks third in the ACC in rebounding and Trent Strickland (7.5) ranks seventh.
- In conference games only, Williams leads the league in rebounding (11.2 rpg).
- On Dec. 17 against Princeton, Wake out-rebounded the Tigers 39-15, setting a school record for fewest rebounds by an opponent.
- Wisconsin entered its game against Wake with a +12.7 rebound margin. The Deacons out-rebounded the Badgers, 45-36.
- Against Texas Tech on Nov. 18, the Deacons pulled down 66 rebounds -- the second-most single-game boards in school history.
Defense Has Been Better This Season
The statistics show that Wake Forest is a much better defensive team this season.
The Deacons are holding opponents to 39.8 percent shooting, ranking third in the ACC and 26th nationally for field goal percentage defense. Last year Wake Forest opponents shot nearly 44 percent.
Only DePaul, Duke and Maryland shot better than 48.1 percent against the Deacons. Wake has held eight opponents to less than 40 percent shooting, including three foes to less than 30 percent.
Wake Forest's field goal percentage defense is its lowest since the 1996-97 season.
On This Date In Deacon History
January 28th -- Wake Forest is 10-6 all-time on this date. The Deacons last played on Jan. 28th in 2003 -- an 81-60 win at Clemson. The Deacons have played Virginia Tech on two seperate occasions on this date.. On Jan. 28, 1997, No. 2-ranked Wake beat the Hokies, 61-44 behind senior Tim Duncan. On Jan. 28, 1961, three Deacons had double-doubles in a 100-84 win over the Hokies.
Big E 4th Nationally In FG Percentage
Deacon senior Eric Williams has always produced a high field goal percentage. This season, however, he has rarely missed.
Williams leads the ACC and ranks fourth nationally in field goal percentage (.651). He is one of just two players in the ACC shooting better than 60 percent.
Williams is a remarkable 125-of-192 from the field. It helps that he has 35 dunks this season and 161 dunks for his career.
His 65.1 field goal percentage, if it held throughout the season, would shatter the Wake Forest single-season record of 63.5 percent. Williams' percentage this season would also rank as the eighth-best in the 53-year history of the ACC.
Williams' career field goal percentage (.595) ranks second in Wake Forest history and 13th in ACC history.
Highest Season Field Goal Percentage In ACC History
Brendan Haywood, UNC 2000 .697
Dale Davis, Clemson 1989 .670
Bobby Jones, UNC 1972 .668
Carlos Boozer, Duke 2002 .665
Horace Grant, Clemson 1987 .656
Rasheed Wallace, UNC 1995 .654
Cherokee Parks, Duke 1993 .652
Eric Williams, WFU 2006 .651
Buck Williams, Maryland 1981 .647
Strickland, Williams Have 4 Doubles
Senior Trent Strickland, prior to this season, had never recorded a double-double. This season, he is tied for sixth in the ACC with four.
Strickland entered his senior season with a career-high of eight rebounds. This season he has five games with at least 10 rebounds, including a 16-rebound effort against Texas Tech.
Senior Eric Williams also has four double-doubles this season and 18 for his career. Only 12 players in Wake Forest history have more career double-doubles.
Statistically Speaking
- Wake Forest leads the ACC and ranks fifth nationally in rebound margin (+9.6)... in ACC games, the Deacons own a +10.3 rebound margin... Wake ranks first in rebound average (42.2)... the Deacons rank third in the league in field goal percentage defense (.398)... Wake ranks last in the ACC in turnover margin (-3.5)... the Deacons are 11th in the league in scoring defense, steals and assist-turnover ratio.
- Justin Gray ranks in the top 10 in the ACC in six statistical categories... he is second in the ACC and 41st nationally in scoring (19.6)... ranks second in the ACC and 30th nationally in three-point field goals per game (3.0)... averaging 3.33 three-point field goals per game in conference play... he is third in the ACC in three-point percentage (.393) and sixth in the ACC in free throw percentage (.835)... leads the team and ranks ninth in the league in assists per game (4.0)... averaging 5.2 assists per game in league play, which ranks second... averaging 34.95 minutes of action per game, which ranks fourth in the ACC... averaging 23.3 points in ACC games only (2nd in the ACC).
- Eric Williams leads the ACC and ranks fourth nationally in field goal percentage (.651)... ranks second in the league in defensive rebounds (6.0)... ranks third in the ACC rebounding (8.8) and 11th in scoring (16.2)... in conference games, Williams ranks first in the ACC in rebounding (11.2)... only six players in the ACC attempt more free throws per game... averaging 16.8 ppg in league games only... tied for sixth in the ACC with four double-doubles.
- Trent Strickland ranks seventh in the ACC in rebounding (7.5) and fifth in defensive rebounds (5.0)... one of three Deacons in the top 25 in the ACC in scoring (24th at 12.4)... ranks tied for sixth in the ACC with four double-doubles.
- Kyle Visser ranks seventh in the ACC in blocked shots per game (1.5).
Justin Gray One Of The Most Prolific Three-Point Shooters In ACC History
Senior guard Justin Gray has made 281 career three-point field goals -- the third-most in Wake Forest history and the 10th-most in ACC history.
Gray is eight three-point field goals away from passing former Deacon Robert O'Kelley (288 career three-pointers) for second place in Wake Forest history and ninth place in ACC history. He has a chance to become just the ninth player in ACC history to sink 300 career three-pointers.
Gray has made at least one three-point field goal in 68 of his last 70 games.
He has attempted 742 career three-point field goals, ranking third in Deacon history.
More Milestones On The Horizon
- Eric Williams ranks 18th in Wake Forest scoring history with 1,490 career points... he is the fifth-leading active career scorer in the ACC... is 10 points shy of his 1,500th career point... he ranks 13th in Wake Forest career rebounding history with 725 boards... is three rebounds away from passing Rafael Vidaurreta for 12th place... he ranks 10th in Wake history with 571 career free throw attempts... with 95 career blocked shots, Williams has a chance to become just the eighth player in Deacon history with 100 career blocks... he has the eighth-most starting appearances in Wake Forest history (106)... Williams can breathe easier knowing it's almost mathematically impossible for him to break the school record for career personal fouls -- although, with 344 fouls, he will come close.
- Justin Gray is the third-leading active career scorer in the ACC with 1,717 points... he ranks 14th on Wake Forest's all-time scoring list... with just five more points, he will pass both Rodney Rogers and Chris King for 12th place on Wake's scoring chart... he ranks third among active players in the ACC for career assists with 317... he ranks 10th on Wake's all-time career assists list... he is just the 10th Deacon all-time to record 300 career assists.
- Trent Strickland is two assists shy of 100 for his career... has played in 109 career games.
- Kyle Visser ranks 14th in Wake Forest history for career blocked shots with 63.
Deacons Broke School Record After
Earning 60th Straight Ranking
Wake Forest's streak of being ranked in the Associated Press top 25 ended Jan. 9 after 60 consecutive weeks.
Wake was ranked in every AP poll from Dec. 23, 2002 through Jan. 2, 2006. In five seasons under coach Skip Prosser, Wake Forest has been ranked in the AP poll every week but seven. Earlier this season, Wake broke the school record of 54 straight weeks ranked held by Deacon teams of the Tim Duncan era from 1995 to 1997.
Deacon Schedule A Strong One
Officially, Wake Forest has played three games against a nationally-ranked opponent. That statistic is certainly misleading considering that two of Wake's losses have come against teams currently ranked No. 2 (Duke), No. 5 (Florida) and No. 15 (NC State) in the national polls.
To clarify, Florida was not ranked when the Gators beat the Deacons back in November. Florida has since shot up the polls to as high as No. 2.
More on the difficulty of Wake Forest's schedule:
- Wisconsin was not ranked in the top 25 when the Deacons beat the Badgers in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Wisconsin is ranked this week.
- Six Wake Forest opponents are ranked in the AP top 25 -- 2. Duke, 5. Florida, 15. NC State, 18. Maryland, 20, Boston College and 23. Wisconsin.
- Other opponents, North Carolina and Miami, are receiving votes for both polls.
- Wake Forest has 11 regular season games remaining. Five of those games come against teams ranked this week in the AP top 25.
Deacons Shuffle Starting Lineup
Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser continues to tinker with the starting lineup. The Deacons have used five different starting fives this season.
Two players -- seniors Justin Gray and Eric Williams -- have started all 19 games. Juniors Kyle Visser and Michael Drum and freshmen Harvey Hale and Shamaine Dukes have all started at least five games each.
Wake Forest's Record When...
11-0 when leading at the 10:00 mark
7-0 when shooting 50 percent or better
7-0 when shooting 40 percent-plus from 3-point range
12-1 when leading at the half
12-1 when shooting a higher percentage than the opponent
2-1 in overtime
0-3 when the opponent has more free throw attempts
0-3 when the opponent shoots 50 percent or better
0-6 when trailing at the half
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 14-of-34 (.412) from three-point range this season.
Ellis had no three-pointers as a freshman or sophomore, and he made 11 all of last season as a junior.
Ellis would rank third in the ACC in three-point percentage, but does not have enough attempts to qualify. He ranks second on the team with 23 blocked shots.
Quick Player Updates
Michael Drum -- Jr., G, 6-6, Rural Hall, NC Has been on the floor at crunch time the last two games... played 20 minutes Tuesday against Florida State... had a career-high 18 points in just 21 minutes against NC State last Saturday... made 6-of-7 field goals and 5-of-5 free throws... has the best assist-to-turnover ratio on the team with 31 assists and 19 miscues... started five games this season... one of five Deacons with at least 10 three-point field goals (he has 12).
Shamaine Dukes -- Fr., G, 6-1, Cuthbert, GA Lost a spot in the starting lineup three games ago... saw just brief action Tuesday against Florida State... had two solid efforts recently against Maryland and Georgia Tech... made a three-point field goal and had just one turnover in 12 minutes against Tech... matched a career-high with two three-point field goals at Maryland... three of his five career three-point field goals have come over the last four games.
Chris Ellis -- Sr., F, 6-9, Marietta, GA Moved into the starting lineup three games ago... took just one shot and fouled out in 19 minutes Tuesday against FSU... scored seven points -- including two SportsCenter-quality dunks -- and had a career-high 11 rebounds at NC State last Saturday despite foul trouble limiting him to 21 minutes... also tied a career high with three blocked shots... shooting 41.2 percent (14-of-34) from three-point range... has made more three-pointers this season than he did in his previous three seasons combined... recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds Jan. 15 at Maryland... playing an average of 20 minutes per game... ranks second on the team with 23 blocked shots.
Justin Gray -- Sr., G, 6-2, Charlotte, NC Has cooled off only slightly since going on the best three-game stint of his career... has become the target of opposing defenses... has 33 points over his last two games, but has made just 9-of-37 field goal attempts... matched a career-high with seven rebounds Tuesday against Florida State... averaging 23.3 points in ACC games... averaging 3.33 three-point field goals in ACC games... leads the team in scoring, three-point field goals, free throws, free throw percentage and assists... scored a career-high 38 points at Maryland Jan. 15... his 38 points tied for the most by a Deacon player in the Skip Prosser era... his assists are up too, with 27 over the last five games... he is in elite Deacon company with more than 1,700 career points, 300 assists, 200 three-point field goals and 100 steals... going to the free throw line more frequently -- he is 36-of-42 (.857) from the stripe over the last five games... his scoring average (19.6) is Wake's highest since Tim Duncan averaged 20.8 ppg in 1997... he was named ACC Player of the Week Dec. 5, an honor he has earned three times in his career... his 37 points against Wisconsin Nov. 29 tied a Lawrence Joel Coliseum record and also tied an ACC/Big Ten Challenge record.
Harvey Hale -- Fr., G, 6-2, Albuquerque, NM Has played his best basketball since the ACC season began and the freshman is back in the starting lineup... has been one of the real bright spots for Wake this season... tied a career high with 16 points Tuesday against Florida State... has scored in double figures three times in the last four games... averaging 10.7 points in ACC games... playing an average of more than 26 minutes in ACC games... seven of his 12 career three-pointers have come in the last six games.
Cameron Stanley -- r-Fr., F, 6-6, Raleigh, NC The redshirt freshman is seeing limited, but key minutes since the ACC season began... played eight minutes and did not attempt a field goal last Saturday against NC State.
Trent Strickland -- Sr., G-F, 6-5, East Flat Rock, NC Has scored in double figures in three straight games... barely missed his fifth double-double Tuesday night with 12 points and nine rebounds against Florida State... went 2-of-2 from three-point range against the `Noles, raising his season three-point percentage to .425... has four three-pointers over the last two games... one of the ACC's most improved players, Strickland has doubled his scoring average from a year ago... he ranks 24th in the ACC at 12.4 points per game... shooting 49.4 percent from the field... has five double-figure rebound games this season including 16 against Texas Tech on Nov. 18... has already made 17 three-point field goals, compared to just 10 all of last season... playing an average of 32.5 minutes per game (compared to 16.9 last season)... named MVP of the 2k Classic Winston-Salem Regional... named ACC Player of the Week Nov. 14.
Strickland's Yearly Improvement
Season G-GS Ppg Rpg FG% FT% 3Pt-A
2005-06 19-18 12.4 7.5 .494 .727 17-40
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
Kevin Swinton -- Fr., F, 6-7, Greensboro, NC Played eight minutes Tuesday against Florida State, scoring two points and grabbing three rebounds... had two points and four rebounds last Saturday at NC State... the freshman's numbers -- 2.0 ppg and 3.5 rpg -- don't reflect how valuable he has been... playing time has increased to since ACC play began... has been solid off the bench in January... struggling at the free throw line (8-of-26).
Kyle Visser -- Jr., C, 6-11, Grand Rapids, MI Has come off the bench the last three games... played extremely well in November and early December, but has struggled in January... went scoreless in 10 minutes Tuesday against FSU... has scored just 12 points over the last seven games... has scored in double figures just once in his last 11 games... played eight minutes last Saturday at NC State and produced two points, three rebounds and two blocks... Wake's leader in blocked shots with 29... made his only three-point field goal attempt of the year, at Elon.
Eric Williams -- Sr., C, 6-9, Wake Forest, NC Has scored in double figures in 36 of his last 37 games... has averaged 16.8 points and 11.2 rebounds in ACC games... leads the league in rebounding in conference games... has three double-doubles over his last five contests... has 12 points and 12 boards Tuesday against FSU despite a viral illness that left him dehydrated... led the Deacons with 19 points last Saturday at NC State... enjoyed a 22-point, career-high 20-rebound performance against Clemson Jan. 11... his 20 rebounds were the most by a player in the ACC this season, the most by a Deacon since 1997... is a respectable 21-of-32 from the free throw line over the last six games... has scored at least nine points in every game this season.
Not Bad For A Non-Scholarship Guy
Junior transfer Michael Drum may be a non-scholarship player, but he's not your typical walk-on. Drum played two seasons at Presbyterian College before transferring to Wake Forest, where his mother is employed.
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 5.3 points per game, has made 12 three-point field goals, is one of Wake's best free throw shooters at 76.7 percent and he owns the team's best assist-to-turnover ratio.
Dukes Tied Record In First Start
Freshman Shamaine Dukes made his first career start Dec. 30 against Charleston Southern and he did so in impressive fashion. Dukes scored 11 points and tied a Wake Forest freshman record by dishing out 10 assists. His 10 assists tied the school freshmen record held by both Chris Paul (at Maryland on Feb. 28, 2004) and Derrick McQueen (vs. New Mexico on Dec. 28, 1988). Dukes was named the ACC co-Rookie of the Week for his efforts.
Season Tickets All Gone
Wake Forest established a first this season by completely selling out of season tickets. Capacity at Lawrence Joel Coliseum is 14,665.
Miscellaneous Notes
- Former Deacon Scott Benken, a walk-on who graduated in the spring of 2004, has re-surfaced in college basketball. A graduate student at the University of Cincinnati. Benken has joined the Bearcat squad for his final year of eligibility.
- Wake Forest and Lawrence Joel Coliseum will host NCAA Tournament 1st and 2nd round games in March of 2007.
- Wake Forest saw its 21-game home court win streak end Dec. 13 against DePaul.
- The Deacons have won their last five non-conference road games.
- 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.
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 Shelden Williams.
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.
Deacon Basketball Calendar
January
26 - 3-6, practice at Miller Center
27 - 3-5, practice at Joel Coliseum
