Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Hosts Boston College Wednesday At The Joel
2/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 6, 2006
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Game No. 23 / Lawrence Joel Coliseum
Wake Forest (12-10/1-8) vs. #15/14 Boston College (17-5/5-4)
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN2. Dave O'Brien (play-by-play), Rick Majerus (color) and Stacey Dales-Schuman call the action. Phil Dean 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 12-10 overall and 1-8 in the ACC after a 75-73 loss at Virginia Saturday afternoon. Boston College is 17-5 and 5-4 following a 74-73 win at Virginia Tech Saturday night.
Rankings: Wake Forest is not ranked. Boston College is ranked 15th in the Associated Press poll, 14th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
Coaches: Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy `72) is 106-45 (.702) in his fifth season with the Demon Deacons, 271-123 (.688) in his 13th season overall.
Boston College coach Al Skinner (Massachusetts `74) is 164-105 in nine seasons with the Eagles, 302-231 in 18 seasons overall.
Series: Boston College leads the all-time series, 3-0.
On Deck: Wake Forest hosts Charlotte Saturday at 3:30. Boston College will host Clemson on Saturday.
Officials: Announced on game day.
Wake Forest Plays Four Of Next Five At Home; Hosts Boston College Wednesday
Wake Forest, looking to turn things around in the final month of the regular season, plays four of its next five games at home beginning with nationally-ranked Boston College Wednesday night at Joel Coliseum (7:30 p.m./ESPN2).
The Demon Deacons, 12-10 overall, 1-8 in the ACC and owning a five-game losing streak, have seven conference games and one non-conference game remaining in the regular season.
In each of Wake's last three games, the Deacons have blown halftime leads en route to a loss. On Saturday at Virginia, Wake Forest led by as many as five points in the second half before falling to the Cavaliers, 75-73. J.R. Reynolds' jumper with four seconds remaining lifted Virginia to the win.
Boston College, 17-5 and 5-4, has won six of its last seven games. The Eagles rebounded from a loss to No. 2-ranked Duke by beating Virginia Tech, 74-73, Saturday night in Blacksburg. The Eagles, ranked 15th in the Associated Press poll and 14th in the ESPN poll, are led by forwards Craig Smith (17.3 ppg) and Jared Dudley (17.3 ppg).
Wednesday's game marks the first meeting between Wake Forest and Boston College in 20 years. The Eagles lead the all-time series, 3-0. More series information can be found on page three.
Wednesday's Storylines
- Wake Forest is trying to avoid its first six-game losing streak since 1990.
- Wake's Justin Gray has scored in double figures in all 21 games that he has played in; he has made at least one three-point field goal in 70 of his last 72 games; and he enters Wednesday's game with 1,755 career points, which ranks 11th in Deacon scoring history.
- Wednesday's game will feature four of the ACC's top 13 scorers -- Wake's Gray (19.5 ppg) and Eric Williams (16.0) and Boston College's Smith (17.3) and Dudley (17.3).
- A Deacon win Wednesday could possibly move them out of the ACC cellar, depending on what Virginia Tech does Wednesday and Georgia Tech on Thursday.
More From Saturday's Loss To Virginia
Wake Forest committed a season-low nine turnovers and shot 51 percent from the field, but the Deacons were dominated on the boards in a 75-73 loss at Virginia on Saturday. More from that game:
- The Deacons lost for the first time all season when shooting 50 percent or better (Wake shot 51.0 percent).
- Wake Forest played its ninth game decided by five points or less.
- The Deacons were out-rebounded 47-25 -- Wake's worst rebound margin since Jan. 23, 1999 against North Carolina.
- Wake tied a season-low with five offensive rebounds.
- Virginia's 47 rebounds were the most by a Deacon opponent this season.
- The Deacs had their fewest turnovers (9) since March 2, 2005.
WFU Must Work To Keep Streaks Alive
Wake Forest has eight 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.
Don't Count `Em Out Just Yet
While it has been 16 years (the 1989-90 season) since Wake Forest has struggled like it has this ACC season, the Deacons have rallied from lengthy slumps in the past:
- 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 is Justin Gray," ESPN's Jay Bilas said. "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 seven games, Gray has averaged 23.0 points, 4.2 three-point field goals, 4.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45.3 percent from three-point range and 86.3 percent from the free throw line.
- Gray has scored in double figures in every game this season, including 38 points at Maryland and 37 points against Wisconsin.
- 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 senior teammate Eric Williams form one of the most prolific scoring duos in Wake Forest history. Gray (1,755 career points) and Willliams (1,534) have combined for nearly 3,300 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 106-45 (.702). His career record is 271-123 (.688) 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 152nd Wake Forest game Wednesday. 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 44 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 13-8 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 151 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. BC: The Series History
- Boston College leads the all-time series, 3-0.
- The Demon Deacons and Eagles will meet for the first time in more than 20 years, and Wednesday's meeting will be the first ACC encounter between the two schools.
- Boston College won the last meeting, 62-60, in Winston-Salem on Dec. 7, 1985. Wake's Muggsy Bogues had 12 assists in that game.
- In the only previous meeting in Chestnut Hill, the Eagles beat the Deacons 82-76 on Dec. 2, 1984. Kenny Green scored 25 points for Wake in that game.
- The first meeting between the two teams came in the 1981 NCAA Tournament in Tuscaloosa, AL. Boston College won that game, 67-64. The Eagles were led by John Bagley, who scored 35 points.
- All three previous meetings have been decided by a total of 11 points.
- Wake Forest and BC will meet again in just three weeks (Feb. 28) in Chestnut Hill.
- Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser has never coached against Boston College.
- Boston College coach Al Skinner is 0-2 all-time against Wake Forest with both losses coming while coaching at Rhode Island.
- Wake Forest is 4-5 all-time against Division I teams from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Deacon-Eagle Connections
- Both head coaches came to their respective ACC schools from the Atlantic 10. Wake's Skip Prosser coached at Xavier and BC's Al Skinner coached at Rhode Island.
- Wake Forest signee Anthony Gurley hails from Newton, MA.
- Boston College freshman Evan Neisler is from Cary, NC.
- Wake's Justin Gray and BC's Craig Smith are two of the ACC's four representatives on the list of 30 midseason candidates for the Wooden Award.
On This Date In Deacon History
February 8th -- Wake Forest is 4-9 all-time on this date. The Deacons last played on February 8th in 2000 -- a 79-63 win over visiting Clemson.
On Feb. 8, 1986, Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues tied his own school record by dishing out 17 assists at No. 1 North Carolina.
On Feb. 8, 1984, Anthony Teachey played all 50 minutes of a double-overtime game against Maryland.
Wake vs. ACC "Expansion" Teams
Wake Forest will play its first ACC game against the league's newest member, Boston College, Wednesday night. So, how have the Deacons performed against teams in their first year in the ACC?
Last year the Demon Deacons swept two games from Miami and won their only meeting with Virginia Tech.
In 1992, newcomer Florida State swept two games from the Deacons. In 1980, Wake swept two games from Georgia Tech.
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 10 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 10 losses this season, Deacon opponents have shot better than 40 percent from behind the arc. In Wake's 12 wins, the Deacons have shot almost 40 percent from three-point range.
Deacons Usually Dominant On Boards
Rebounding is always an emphasis of a Skip Prosser-coached team and this season is no different.
Wake Forest ranks second in the ACC and in the top 20 nationally in rebound margin (+7.4). In 22 games this season, the Deacons have been out-rebounded just four times. More on the Deacons' rebounding:
- Wake's rebound margin ranks fourth in school history.
- Three of the top five rebounding teams in Wake Forest history have come under coach Skip Prosser.
- Eric Williams (8.5 rpg) ranks third in the ACC in rebounding and Trent Strickland (7.2) ranks ninth.
- In conference games only, Williams is second in the league in rebounding (9.7 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 40.5 percent shooting, ranking third 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.
Wake Playing Extra Minutes
There have been seven 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:
n 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 NCAA Tournament.
n Wake Forest is 46-48 all-time in overtime games, including a 5-5 mark under coach Skip Prosser.
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 nine games decided by five points or less, earning a 4-5 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, 73-75 Virginia A Feb. 4, 2006
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
Williams Seeing Double-Double
Senior Eric Williams has four double-doubles in his last eight games and a total of five for the season, which ranks fifth in the ACC.
Williams has 19 career double-doubles, 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 21 times this season and 87 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 (.647). Williams and Duke's Shelden Williams are the only players in the ACC shooting better than 60 percent. Williams is a remarkable 143-of-221 from the field. It helps that he has 38 dunks this season and 164 dunks for his career.
His 64.7 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.
Statistically Speaking
- Wake Forest leads the ACC in one statistical category -- defensive rebounds (26.59)... the Deacons rank second in the ACC and in the top 20 nationally in rebound margin (+7.4)... in ACC games, the Deacons rank first in offensive rebounds... the Deacons rank third in the league and 33rd nationally in field goal percentage defense (.405)... Wake ranks fifth in the ACC and 36th nationally in blocked shots (4.9)... the Deacs rank last in the ACC in just one category -- turnover margin (-3.68)... the Deacons are 11th in the league in scoring defense, three-point field goal percentage defense and steals... Wake Forest has two of the top 13 scorers in the ACC (Justin Gray and Eric Williams) and two of the top nine 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 (19.5)... ranks second in the ACC and 32nd nationally in three-point field goals per game (3.19)... leads the ACC for three-point field goals in conference games only (3.75)... he is third in the ACC in three-point percentage (.406) and seventh in the ACC in free throw percentage (.839)... leads the team and ranks seventh in the league in assists per game (3.95)... averaging 4.7 assists per game in league play, which ranks third... averaging 35.2 minutes of action per game, which ranks fourth in the ACC... averaging 22.3 points in ACC games only (2nd in the ACC).
- Eric Williams leads the ACC and ranks third nationally in field goal percentage (.647)... ranks third in the ACC in rebounding (8.5) and 13th in scoring (16.0)... ranks second in the league in defensive rebounds (5.73)... in conference games, Williams averages 9.7 boards per game... ranks fifth in the ACC with five double-doubles.
- Trent Strickland ranks ninth in the ACC in rebounding (7.2) and sixth in defensive rebounds (4.73)... one of three Deacons in the top 20 in the ACC in scoring (19th at 13.1)... ranks tied for seventh in the ACC with four double-doubles.
n Kyle Visser ranks fifth in the ACC in blocked shots per game (1.5).
Wake Forest vs. Ranked Opponents
Wake Forest, 0-3 this season against teams nationally-ranked in the AP poll at tip-off, is looking for its first win against a ranked club since beating No. 4 Duke on Feb. 2, 2005.
Boston College is ranked 15th in the AP poll and 14th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
Justin Gray One Of The Most Prolific Three-Point Shooters In ACC History
Senior guard Justin Gray has made 292 career three-point field goals -- the second-most in Wake Forest history and the ninth-most in ACC history.
Only Randolph Childress, who made 329 three-point field goals between 1991 and 1995, owns more career three-pointers than Gray. Gray needs 38 three-pointers to tie Childress and the Deacons have eight regular season games remaining.
Gray 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 70 of his last 72 games. He has made at least two three-point field goals in 17 of his last 19 games.
He has attempted 762 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 1,534 career points... he will pass Sam Ivy for 17th place with 18 more points... he is the fifth-leading active career scorer in the ACC... he ranks 11th in Wake Forest career rebounding history with 745 boards... is seven rebounds away from passing Jack Williams for 10th place... he ranks eighth in Wake history with 588 career free throw attempts... with 98 career blocked shots, Williams will become just the eighth player in Deacon history with 100 career blocks... he needs two blocks to pass Chris King for the eighth-most in Wake history... he has the fifth-most starting appearances in Wake Forest history (109)... he has the highest single-season field goal percentage (.647) in Wake history... Williams can breathe easier knowing it's almost mathematically impossible for him to break the school record for career personal fouls -- although, with 350 fouls, he will come close.
- Justin Gray is ready to pass former teammate Josh Howard and move into the top 10 on Wake Forest's all-time career scoring list... with 1,755 points, Gray needs 11 points to pass Howard for 10th place... the third-leading active career scorer in the ACC... he ranks fourth among active players in the ACC for career assists with 324... 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 five 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 has since been ranked most of the season.
- 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 22 games. Senior Justin Gray has started 21 games (he missed one game with a virus). Juniors Kyle Visser and Michael Drum and freshmen Harvey Hale, Shamaine Dukes and Kevin Swinton have also started at least two games each.
Quick Player Updates
Michael Drum -- Jr., G, 6-6, Rural Hall, NC The non-scholarship junior is an integral part of the rotation... came off the bench to play 27 minutes Saturday at Virginia... scored seven points, dished out two assists and sank a three-pointer against the Cavaliers... ranks third on the team with 18 three-pointers... has started six times... has the best assist-to-turnover ratio on the team with 37 assists and 26 miscues.
Shamaine Dukes -- Fr., G, 6-1, Cuthbert, GA Has not played the last two games after playing in every game since Dec. 13... started at the point five times earlier this season... usually plays 8-10 minutes per game off the bench.
Chris Ellis -- Sr., F, 6-9, Marietta, GA Had a standard Chris Ellis-like game Saturday at Virginia... played 20 minutes, scored five points, grabbed four rebounds, took just two shots and had just one turnover... plays an average of 20 minutes per game and has started four times this season... 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... ranks second on the team with 24 blocked shots.
Justin Gray -- Sr., G, 6-2, Charlotte, NC Was "held" to 18 points Saturday at Virginia... added five assists to go with just two turnovers, made 4-of-10 three-point attempts and played 38 minutes against the Cavaliers... has 10 three-point field goals over the last two games... averages more three-point field goals per game in ACC games than any player in the league, including Duke's J.J. Redick... scored a team-high 20 points and was 6-of-10 from three-point range in last Tuesday's loss at Miami... did not play against Virginia Tech because of a stomach virus... has become the target of opposing defenses... averaging 23.0 points, 4.9 assists and 4.1 three-point field goals over his last seven 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 third 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 44-of-51 (.863) from the stripe over his last seven games... his scoring average (19.5) 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 seven games... getting more comfortable at point guard... has seven assists and three turnovers over the last two games... scored five points and dished out three assists Saturday at Virginia... averaging 9.2 ppg in ACC play... has started 13 games... playing an average of more than 26 minutes in ACC games... ten of his 15 career three-pointers have come in the last nine games.
Cameron Stanley -- r-Fr., F, 6-6, Raleigh, NC The redshirt freshman did not see action in Saturday's game at Virginia... one week earlier he played a season-high 19 minutes against Virginia Tech... did not score, but doubled his career-high for rebounds with eight against the Hokies... typically sees limited but important minutes for the Deacons... has not scored over the last five games.
Trent Strickland -- Sr., G-F, 6-5, East Flat Rock, NC Has come on strong the last six games after a mid-season slump... scored 17 points, went 3-of-4 from three-point range and dished out three assists at Virginia on Saturday... has 11 three-point field goals over the last three games... averaging 17 points over the last three games... is four points away from his 800th career point... has scored in double figures in six straight games... has four double-doubles on the season... shooting 49.1 percent (28-of-57) from three-point range... one of the ACC's most improved players, Strickland has doubled his scoring average from a year ago... he ranks 19th in the ACC at 13.1 points per game... shooting an even 50 percent from the field... has five double-figure rebound games this season including 16 against Texas Tech on Nov. 18... has made 28 three-point field goals, compared to just 10 all of last season... playing an average of 33.2 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 Has made the first two starts of his career over the last two games...scored four points and blocked a shot in 12 minutes Saturday at Virginia... made his first career start and played 19 minutes last Tuesday at Miami... scored four points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out the first three assists of his career... the freshman's numbers -- 2.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg -- don't reflect how valuable he has been... struggles at the free throw line (36.4 percent).
Kyle Visser -- Jr., C, 6-11, Grand Rapids, MI Had a solid performance at Virginia Saturday... came off the bench for six points, three rebounds and one steal in 18 minutes... played a season-low four minutes and scored two points last Tuesday at Miami... has not scored in double figures since Dec. 30... has come off the bench the last six 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 39 of his last 40 games and in 18 straight contests... averaging 16.1 points and 9.7 rebounds in ACC games... ranks second in the league in rebounding in ACC games... has four double-doubles over his last eight games... had a season-low four rebounds at Virginia on Saturday... 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.
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 5.8 points per game, has made 18 three-point field goals, is one of Wake's best free throw shooters at 77.8 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.
- The Deacons have not lost a home opener since Nov. 28, 1988, against Richmond, 74-61.
