Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons Begin February At Virginia On Saturday
2/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 1, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Game No. 22 / University Hall / Charlottesville, VA
Wake Forest (12-9/1-7) at Virginia (10/7-4-3)
Tip-Off: 1:30 p.m.
TV: Jefferson-Pilot Sports. Tim Brant (play-by-play) and former Virginia standout Dan Bonner (color) call the action. Lance Stewart produces.
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 12-9 overall and 1-7 in the ACC after a 78-69 loss at Miami Tuesday night. Virginia is 10-7 and 4-3 heading into Wednesday's game at NC State.
Rankings: Wake Forest is not ranked. Virginia is not ranked.
Coaches: Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy `72) is 106-44 (.707) in his fifth season with the Demon Deacons, 271-122 (.689) in his 13th season overall.
Virginia coach Dave Leitao (Northeastern `83) is 10-7 in his first season with the Cavaliers, 90-76 in six seasons overall.
Series: Wake Forest leads the all-time series, 63-57.
On Deck: Wake Forest hosts Boston College on Wednesday. Virginia plays at Maryland on Tuesday.
Officials: Announced on game day.
Deacons Hope For Better Fortunes In Second
Half Of ACC Schedule; Plays At UVA Saturday
Wake Forest, which won just two of eight games in the month of January, hopes for a fresh start in February as the Demon Deacons embark on the second half of the ACC schedule beginning Saturday at Virginia (1:30 p.m./Jefferson-Pilot Sports).
The Demon Deacons, 12-9 overall, 1-7 in the ACC and owning a four-game losing streak, have a lot of ground to make up. Wake is in last place in the ACC standings with eight league games and one nonconference game left.
Wake Forest's last two losses -- 78-69 at Miami Tuesday night and 76-70 against Virginia Tech last Saturday -- have been especially dis- appointing. The Deacons led Miami at halftime and they held a 12- point second-half advantage in the Virginia Tech game.
Virginia, 10-7 and 4-3, plays at NC State Wednesday night. The Cavaliers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end last Saturday at Duke.
Wake Forest will face one of the best backcourts in the ACC Saturday in Virginia's Sean Singletary (18.4 ppg) and J.R. Reynolds (14.9 ppg).
Saturday's game is the first and only meeting this season between Wake Forest and Virginia. The Deacons lead the all-time series, 67-53, including a sweep of the regular season series last year.
Saturday's Storylines
- Wake Forest's Justin Gray (19.6 ppg) and Virginia's Sean Singletary (18.4 ppg) rank second and third, respectively, in the ACC in scoring behind Duke's J.J. Redick.
- Gray has scored in double figures in all 20 games that he has played in; he has made at least one three-point field goal in 69 of his last 71 games; and he enters Saturday's game with 1,737 career points, which ranks 12th in Deacon scoring history.
- Wake Forest will be trying to avoid losing five straight games for the first time since 1999.
- A Deacon win on Saturday would possibly move Wake into a tie
for 10th or 11th place in the ACC standings.
More From Tuesday's Loss To Miami
Wake Forest out-rebounded Miami 33-23, but the Deacons forced just five Hurricane turnovers and did not score a point off the fast break. More from the 78-69 loss:
- Wake Forest used its seventh different starting lineup as freshman Kevin Swinton made his first career start.
- The Deacons were credited with just one steal -- their fewest since Dec. 13, 2004.
- Miami's five turnovers were the fewest by a Deacon opponent since March 9, 1996 when Clemson had just five errors in an ACC Tournament game.
- Robert Hite's seven three-point field goals tied for the third-most ever by a Wake Forest opponent.
- Wake Forest out-rebounded its opponent for the 16th time this season.
WFU Must Work To Keep Streaks Alive
Wake Forest has nine regular season games remaining to keep some impressive streaks alive:
- The Deacons have appeared in five straight NCAA Tournaments.
- Including the NIT, Wake Forest has participated in postseason play an ACC-best 15 consecutive years.
- Wake Forest has finished fifth or higher in the ACC standings every year since 1993.
- The Deacons have won 20 games or more in each of the last four seasons.
- Wake Forest has not endured a losing season since 1990.
- The Deacons have finished .500 or better in the ACC in each of the last five seasons.
History Shows It Can Be Done
Many don't remember that in the 2003-04 season, Wake Forest suffered a losing skid similar to the one it is experiencing currently. The Deacons lost six of eight games in January and early February that season, but Wake rallied to finish 9-7 in the ACC and ultimately advance to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.
In 2001-02, Skip Prosser's first season at Wake Forest, the Deacons lost eight of 13 games in January and February, but scrapped their way to a 9-7 ACC record and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
In 1993-94, Wake lost four of five January games but finished 9-7 in the league and went to the NCAA Tournament.
The 1976-77 Deacons lost four consecutive February games, but rallied to go 8-4 in the ACC and advance all the way to the NCAA regional championship game.
The 1960-61 Wake Forest team dropped four of five February games, but managed to win the ACC championship and advance to within one game of the Final Four.
Justin Gray One Of The ACC's Best
Lost in Wake Forest's recent skid is the play of senior guard Justin Gray, who is putting up numbers similar to those of recent Deacon greats Josh Howard and Tim Duncan.
"One player who has flown under the radar because of the turnover in personnel on his team is Wake Forest's Justin Gray," ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said. "Because the Deacons have struggled, Gray's excellence has gone underappreciated.
"There is not a tougher player, mentally and physically, in the ACC than Gray, and he should be given proper attention for being what he is -- one of the best players in the conference and one of the best guards Wake Forest has had."
More on Gray:
- Over his last six games, Gray has averaged 23.8 points, 4.2 three-point field goals, 4.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 46.3 percent from three-point range and 86.4 percent from the free throw line.
- Gray scored at least 25 points in three straight January games, including a career-high 38 points at Maryland Jan. 15. Gray's 38-point effort against the Terrapins tied for the most points by a Deacon player in the Skip Prosser era.
- He ranks in the top 10 in the ACC in six different statistical categories -- scoring, free throw percentage, assists, three-point field goals, three-point percentage and minutes played.
- Gray and and senior teammate Eric Williams form one of the most prolific scoring duos in Wake Forest history. Gray (1,737 career points) and Willliams (1,520) have combined for more than 3,200 points.
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 106-44 (.707). His career record is 271-122 (.689) 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 151st 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 42 wins, has won more league games during that time.
- Wake Forest is 66-10 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 113 of 150 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.
Wake vs. Virginia: The Series History
- Wake Forest leads the all-time series, 63-57.
- The Demon Deacons and Cavaliers will meet just one time this season -- the first time since 1954 that the two teams have not met at least twice in a season.
- Wake Forest swept the regular season series last year, breaking a streak of seven consecutive years that the Deacs and Wahoos had split two regular season meetings. Wake won 90-68 in Winston-Salem and 89-70 in Charlottesville.
- Last year's win in Charlottesville snapped a streak of four consecutive Deacon losses in University Hall.
- Virginia leads the series in Charlottesville, 35-20, including a 29-10 advantage in University Hall.
- The Deacons and Cavaliers first met on the hardwood during the 1910-11 season.
- Wake and UVa have not met in the ACC Tournament since 1996.
- Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser is 5-3 all-time against Virginia.
- New Cavalier coach Dave Leitao has never coached against Wake Forest.
- Wake Forest is 184-102 all-time against teams from the Commonwealth of Virginia, including wins over George Mason and Richmond earlier this season.
Deacon-Cavalier Connections
- Two Deacon seniors -- Justin Gray (Oak Hill Academy) and Trent Strickland (Hargrave) -- played on the prep level in Virginia.
- Gray and Virginia's J.R. Reynolds both attended Oak Hill Academy.
- Virginia radio play-by-play man Mac McDonald previously worked in a similar capacity for the Demon Deacons (back when Mac was young).
- Wake Forest's fifth head coach was J.L. White, a 1917 Virginia graduate.
On This Date In Deacon History
February 4th -- Wake Forest is 12-3 all-time when playing on February 4th. The last time the Deacons played on this date came in 2004 -- a 73-68 loss at NC State, snapping a streak of nine consecutive wins on February 4.
The Deacons are 1-0 all-time on this date when playing Virginia. In 1978, Wake beat the 11th-ranked Cavaliers, 74- 62, in Winston-Salem.
On Feb. 4, 1995, Tim Duncan pulled down 23 rebounds in a win over Winthrop.
On Feb. 4, 1991, the Deacons made 8-of-10 three-point goals in a win at William & Mary.
On Feb. 4, 1955, Wake Forest whipped visiting Clemson, 120-65. The Deacons have not scored more than that in any ACC game since. The 120 points remain as the third-most points ever scored by the Deacons in a home game. Dickie Hemric grabbed a school-record 36 rebounds in the game.
Comparing The Wins And Losses
When Wake Forest has won this season, the Deacons have usually been superior on the boards, shot a solid percentage from the perimeter and kept the opponents off the free throw line. In Wake's nine losses, the opposite has usually happened.
In WFU's 12 wins, the Deacons have limited opponents to 63.1 points while out-rebounding foes by more than 10 boards per game. In the losses, however, opponents have scored nearly 81 points per game and Wake's rebound margin is significantly lower.
Another glaring statistic is three-point field goal percentage. In Wake's nine losses this season, Deacon opponents have shot better than 41 percent from behind the arc. In Wake's 12 wins, the Deacons have shot almost 40 percent from three-point range.
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 sixth nationally in rebound margin (+8.8). In 21 games this season, the Deacons have been out-rebounded just three times. More on the Deacons' rebounding:
- Wake's rebound margin ranks third in school history.
- Wake is close to 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 (7.3) ranks eighth.
- In conference games only, Williams is second in the league in rebounding (10.4 rpg).
- Against Princeton (Dec. 17), 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 40.4 percent shooting, ranking second in the ACC and 33rd nationally for field goal percentage defense. Last year Wake Forest opponents shot nearly 44 percent.
Only four teams 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.
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 six 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 six 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.
Williams Seeing Double-Double
Senior Eric Williams has four double-doubles in his last seven games and a total of five for the season, which ranks fifth in the ACC.
Williams has 19 career doubledoubles, which ranks 13th in Wake Forest history. He has pulled down double-figure rebounds six times this season and 21 times in his career. Williams has scored in double figures 20 times this season and 86 times in his career.
Big E 3rd 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 third nationally in field goal percentage (.649). Williams and Duke's Shelden Williams are the only players in the ACC shooting better than 60 percent. Williams is a remarkable 137-of-211 from the field. It helps that he has 38 dunks this season and 164 dunks for his career.
His 64.9 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 .649
Buck Williams, Maryland 1981 .647
Statistically Speaking
- Wake Forest leads the ACC and ranks sixth nationally in rebound margin (+8.8)... in ACC games, the Deacons own a +10.2 rebound margin... Wake also ranks first in defensive rebounds (26.9)... the Deacons rank second in the league and 33rd nationally in field goal percentage defense (.404)... Wake ranks fifth in the ACC and 36th nationally in blocked shots (5.05)... the Deacs rank last in the ACC in just one category -- turnover margin (-3.95)... the Deacons are 11th in the league in scoring defense and steals... Wake Forest has two of the top 12 scorers in the ACC (Justin Gray and Eric Williams) and two of the top eight rebounders (Williams and Trent Strickland).
- Justin Gray ranks in the top 10 in the ACC in six statistical categories... he is second in the ACC and 34th nationally in scoring (19.6)... ranks second in the ACC and 32nd nationally in three-point field goals per game (3.15)... averaging 3.71 three-point field goals per game in conference play... he is third in the ACC in three-point percentage (.406) and sixth in the ACC in free throw percentage (.838)... leads the team and ranks ninth in the league in assists per game (3.9)... averaging 4.7 assists per game in league play, which ranks fourth... averaging 35.1 minutes of action per game, which ranks fourth in the ACC... averaging 22.9 points in ACC games only (2nd in the ACC).
- Eric Williams leads the ACC and ranks third nationally in field goal percentage (.649)... ranks third in the ACC rebounding (8.8) and 12th in scoring (16.0)... ranks second in the league in defensive rebounds (5.81)... in conference games, Williams averages 10.4 boards per game... ranks fifth in the ACC with five double-doubles.
- Trent Strickland ranks eighth in the ACC in rebounding (7.3) and sixth in defensive rebounds (4.81)... one of three Deacons in the top 20 in the ACC in scoring (20th at 13.0)... ranks tied for seventh in the ACC with four doubledoubles... ranks 10th in the ACC in minutes played (33.0).
n Kyle Visser ranks sixth in the ACC in blocked shots per game (1.57).
Justin Gray One Of The Most Prolific Three-Point Shooters In ACC History
Senior guard Justin Gray has made 288 career three-point field goals -- the third-most in Wake Forest history and the 10th-most in ACC history.
Gray is two 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 will soon 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 69 of his last 71 games.
He has attempted 752 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 1,520 career points... he is the fifth-leading active career scorer in the ACC... he ranks 12th in Wake Forest career rebounding history with 741 boards... is three rebounds away from passing Jamaal Levy for 11th place... he ranks eighth in Wake history with 584 career free throw attempts... with 97 career blocked shots, Williams should become just the eighth player in Deacon history with 100 career blocks... he has the fifth-most starting appearances in Wake Forest history (108)... Williams can breathe easier knowing it's almost mathematically impossible for him to break the school record for career personal fouls -- although, with 346 fouls, he will come close.
- Justin Gray is the third-leading active career scorer in the ACC with 1,737 points... he ranks 12th on Wake Forest's all-time scoring list... with 13 more points, he will pass Frank Johnson for 11th place on Wake's scoring chart... he ranks fourth among active players in the ACC for career assists with 319... he ranks 10th on Wake's all-time career assists list... he is just the 10th Deacon all-time to record 300 career assists... he needs six steals to reach 131 for his career and to rank 12th in Wake history.
- Kyle Visser ranks 14th in Wake Forest history for career blocked shots with 67.
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 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.
- Four Wake Forest opponents are ranked in the AP top 25 -- 2. Duke, 8. Florida, 15. Boston College and 18. NC State. Maryland is ranked No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
- Four other opponents -- North Carolina, Wisconsin, George Mason and Miami -- are receiving votes for one or both national polls.
- Wake Forest has nine 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 seven different starting fives this season. Nine different players have started at least one game.
Only senior Eric Williams has started all 21 games. Senior Justin Gray, juniors Kyle Visser and Michael Drum and freshmen Harvey Hale, Shamaine Dukes and Kevin Swinton have also started at least once each.
Quick Player Updates
Michael Drum -- Jr., G, 6-6, Rural Hall, NC The non-scholarship junior is an integral part of the rotation... played 17 minutes Tuesday at Miami... enjoyed perhaps his best game of the year last Saturday... scored 17 points on a career-high five 3-point field goals and dished out four assists against Virginia Tech... has started six times... over the last four games he has averaged 10.2 points per contest... has the best assist-to-turnover ratio on the team with 35 assists and 24 miscues.
Shamaine Dukes -- Fr., G, 6-1, Cuthbert, GA Did not see action Tuesday at Miami for the first time since Dec. 13... started at the point five times earlier this season... usually plays 8-10 minutes per game off the bench... made a three-point field goal and had just one turnover in 12 minutes Jan. 18 against Georgia Tech.
Chris Ellis -- Sr., F, 6-9, Marietta, GA Came off the bench Tuesday at Miami after starting four straight games... has been sluggish in the scoring department over the last four games with just 18 points... averaging 5.4 rebounds per game in ACC play... scored seven points -- including two SportsCenter-quality dunks -- and had a career-high 11 rebounds at NC State Jan. 21... shooting 42.9 percent (15-of-35) from three-point range... has made more three-pointers this season than he did in his previous three seasons combined... playing an average of 20 minutes per game... ranks second on the team with 24 blocked shots.
Justin Gray -- Sr., G, 6-2, Charlotte, NC Scored a team-high 20 points and was 6-of-10 from threepoint range in Tuesday's loss at Miami... did not play last Saturday against Virginia Tech because of a stomach virus -- his first missed game since breaking his jaw as a freshman... has become the target of opposing defenses... averaging 23.8 points, 4.9 assists and 4.2 three-point field goals over his last six games... averaging 3.71 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, ranking fourth in the ACC in league games only... 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 38-of-44 (.864) from the stripe over his last six 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 Joel Coliseum record and an ACC/Big Ten Challenge record.
Harvey Hale -- Fr., G, 6-2, Albuquerque, NM Has been one of Wake's bright spots during the recent losing skid... has scored in double figures in four of his last six games... struggled somewhat at Miami Tuesday with four points, but he led the team with four assists... scored 10 points, sank two three-point field goals and dished out a career-best six assists against Virginia Tech last Saturday... averaging 9.8 ppg in ACC play... has started 12 games... playing an average of more than 27 minutes in ACC games... nine of his 14 career three-pointers have come in the last eight 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 19 minutes against Virginia Tech last Saturday... did not score, but doubled his career-high for rebounds with eight... has not scored over the last four games.
Trent Strickland -- Sr., G-F, 6-5, East Flat Rock, NC Three second-half three-point field goals Tuesday at Miami helped him score in double figures (14 points) for the fifth straight game... enjoyed his best performance since November last Saturday... scored 23 points and made a career-best five three-point field goals against Virginia Tech... has 12 three-point field goals over the last four games... has four double-doubles on the season... shooting 47.2 percent (25-of-53) from three-point range... one of the ACC's most improved players, Strickland has doubled his scoring average from a year ago... he ranks 20th in the ACC at 13.0 points per game... shooting 49.7 percent from the field... has five double-figure rebound games this season including 16 against Texas Tech on Nov. 18... has made 25 three-point field goals, compared to just 10 all of last season... playing an average of 33.0 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.
Kevin Swinton -- Fr., F, 6-7, Greensboro, NC Made his first career start and played 19 minutes Tuesday at Miami... scored four points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out the first three assists of his career... played just three minutes last Saturday against Virginia Tech... the freshman's numbers -- 2.0 ppg and 3.5 rpg -- don't reflect how valuable he has been... went 2-of-2 from the free throw line Tuesday after previously going 8-for-26.
Kyle Visser -- Jr., C, 6-11, Grand Rapids, MI Played a season-low four minutes and scored two points Tuesday at Miami... enjoyed his best January game last Saturday when he scored eight points, blocked four shots and went 4-of-5 from the field against Virginia Tech... has not scored in double figures since Dec. 30... has come off the bench the last five games after starting the first 16... played extremely well in November and early December, but has struggled since... Wake's leader in blocked shots with 33... made his only three-point attempt of the year, at Elon.
Eric Williams -- Sr., C, 6-9, Wake Forest, NC Has scored in double figures in 38 of his last 39 games... averaging 16.4 points and 10.4 rebounds in ACC games... ranks second in the league in rebounding in ACC games... has four double-doubles over his last seven games... had 18 points and 11 boards Tuesday at Miami... also blocked two shots... 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... has scored at least nine points in every game this season.
Wake Forest's Record When...
7-0 when shooting 50 percent or better
2-0 when scoring at least 90 points
2-1 in overtime
0-5 when the opponent takes more free throw attempts
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 15-of-35 (.429) 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 second in the ACC in three-point percentage, but does not have enough attempts to qualify. He ranks second on the team with 24 blocked shots.
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 5.7 points per game, has made 17 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.
Gray A Midseason Candidate For Wooden Award
Senior Justin Gray is one of 30 players named to the midseason list of candidates for the John R. Wooden Award and Wooden All-America team.
Gray is one of just four ACC players on the midseason list of 30, joining Duke's J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams and Boston College's Craig Smith.
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 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.
