Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Deacons Face Michigan Wolverines for Historical ACC/B1G Matchup
11/8/2024 10:35:00 AM | Men's Basketball
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – For just the second time in Wake Forest history, the Demon Deacons will face off against the Michigan Wolverines on Nov. 10, 2024 at First Horizon Coliseum for a seismic non-conference matchup.
The two non-conference teams previously competed in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 10, 2000 at the Wolverines home court in Crisler Center as part of the ACC/B1G Challenge.
At the time, the Deacons were coached by Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Dave Odom. The '09 inductee had 11 postseason appearances prior to the 2000-01 season and cemented his name in the Wake Forest record book with 240 wins in his coaching career, second most in school history.
Odom brought the 2000-01 squad to a 19-11 overall record, as well as returning to the NCAA tournament for the first time after a three year absence and finished the season ranked No. 23 overall in the AP poll. During the previous season, the former head coach coached the Deacs to their first ever NIT championship.
Leading the opposing team was Brian Ellerbe who coached the Wolverines from 1997 to 2001, and made history as the first African-American head coach at the University of Michigan. In his first year as head coach, Ellerbe led the 1997-98 team to a 25-9, as well as a B1G championship title and NCAA tourney berth.
The 2000-01 Deacons featured former NBA players Josh Howard and Darius Songaila, both of whom aided in winning the first 13 of 14 games during the 2000-01 season, including the first 12 in a row. During his four years at Wake Forest, Howard averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
The 2003 draftee was selected 29th overall in the first round by the Dallas Mavericks and stayed with the Mavs for seven years. In his 10 years in the league, he played a total of 507 games, including 6 postseason runs and collected 2886 total rebounds in regular season games. Howard also attended the 2007 NBA All-Star Games, playing alongside former Demon Deacon Tim Duncan.
Playing alongside Howard was 2002 No. 50 overall draft pick Darius Songaila, who towered over opponents at an impressive 6-9. Through four years at Wake, Songaila averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 rebound, and 1.7 assists. Prior to joining the NBA, the Lithuanian-born forward joined CSKA Moscow, winning the Russian Basketball Super League in 2003. Songaila played in the NBA for eight years, totaling 495 games and played for five different teams.
Other notable performances include that of senior Robert O'Kelley who was Wake's highest scorer of the game with 19 points, while also collecting 11 defensive rebounds. O'Kelley finished the season with 20 games with double-figure scoring. During his final season with the Deacs, he entered the NCAA tournament with 1,865 points and led the ACC in most career points of active ACC players.
With the win over Michigan, Wake would continue on to win 13 of their 14 first games on the season, including a 12-game win streak. Two of those wins came against top-10 opponents, with home victories over No. 3 Kansas and No. 8 Virginia.
Additionally, the team earned a No. 4 rank in the AP poll and multiple top-10 and top-25 rankings throughout the season. Wake Forest entered the NCAA tournament as No. 7 seed, but fell to No. 10 ranked Butler in the first round.
How It Happened
Michigan opened the game with an uncontested jumper off of a Wake Forest turnover, flashing their offensive prowess early on. The Deacons began their scoring with a jumper from 6-9 junior Darius Songaila and built an early lead with points from senior Robert O'Kelley.
With a pair of free throws from senior Josh Asselin and sophomore LaVell Blanchard pushed the Wolverines to a 32-29 advantage headed into halftime.
Despite falling behind 40-29 with 16:14 left in the game, Wake Forest outscored the Wolverines 42-20 in the final 16 minutes, shooting 48 percent for the game and holding their opponent to 35 percent. Songaila scored 13 points for the Deacons and led with as many as 12 points in the half.
Odom's squad hit 80 percent of their free throws, including the 6 of 8 from over line, aided by junior Antwan Scott who shot 100 percent from the field and foul line throughout the entire game. Senior Josh Shoemaker collected 13 rebounds for Wake Forest, bringing his career total to 500.
The 71-60 victory over Michigan pushed the Deacons' record in the ACC/B1G Challenge to 2-0, in addition to their Final Four victory over Wisconsin during the 1999 season.
Present Day
Returning for the Deacs from the 2023-24 season is the senior trio of Hunter Sallis, Cameron Hildreth, and Efton Reid III. Wake enters Sunday's matchup 2-0 at home, with victories against non-conference opponents Coppin State and NC A&T.
The Wolverines will look for their second win of the season under new head coach Dusty May, after defeating Cleveland State 101-53 at Crisler Center.
The two non-conference teams previously competed in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 10, 2000 at the Wolverines home court in Crisler Center as part of the ACC/B1G Challenge.
At the time, the Deacons were coached by Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Dave Odom. The '09 inductee had 11 postseason appearances prior to the 2000-01 season and cemented his name in the Wake Forest record book with 240 wins in his coaching career, second most in school history.
Odom brought the 2000-01 squad to a 19-11 overall record, as well as returning to the NCAA tournament for the first time after a three year absence and finished the season ranked No. 23 overall in the AP poll. During the previous season, the former head coach coached the Deacs to their first ever NIT championship.
Leading the opposing team was Brian Ellerbe who coached the Wolverines from 1997 to 2001, and made history as the first African-American head coach at the University of Michigan. In his first year as head coach, Ellerbe led the 1997-98 team to a 25-9, as well as a B1G championship title and NCAA tourney berth.
The 2000-01 Deacons featured former NBA players Josh Howard and Darius Songaila, both of whom aided in winning the first 13 of 14 games during the 2000-01 season, including the first 12 in a row. During his four years at Wake Forest, Howard averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
The 2003 draftee was selected 29th overall in the first round by the Dallas Mavericks and stayed with the Mavs for seven years. In his 10 years in the league, he played a total of 507 games, including 6 postseason runs and collected 2886 total rebounds in regular season games. Howard also attended the 2007 NBA All-Star Games, playing alongside former Demon Deacon Tim Duncan.
Playing alongside Howard was 2002 No. 50 overall draft pick Darius Songaila, who towered over opponents at an impressive 6-9. Through four years at Wake, Songaila averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 rebound, and 1.7 assists. Prior to joining the NBA, the Lithuanian-born forward joined CSKA Moscow, winning the Russian Basketball Super League in 2003. Songaila played in the NBA for eight years, totaling 495 games and played for five different teams.
Other notable performances include that of senior Robert O'Kelley who was Wake's highest scorer of the game with 19 points, while also collecting 11 defensive rebounds. O'Kelley finished the season with 20 games with double-figure scoring. During his final season with the Deacs, he entered the NCAA tournament with 1,865 points and led the ACC in most career points of active ACC players.
With the win over Michigan, Wake would continue on to win 13 of their 14 first games on the season, including a 12-game win streak. Two of those wins came against top-10 opponents, with home victories over No. 3 Kansas and No. 8 Virginia.
Additionally, the team earned a No. 4 rank in the AP poll and multiple top-10 and top-25 rankings throughout the season. Wake Forest entered the NCAA tournament as No. 7 seed, but fell to No. 10 ranked Butler in the first round.
How It Happened
Michigan opened the game with an uncontested jumper off of a Wake Forest turnover, flashing their offensive prowess early on. The Deacons began their scoring with a jumper from 6-9 junior Darius Songaila and built an early lead with points from senior Robert O'Kelley.
With a pair of free throws from senior Josh Asselin and sophomore LaVell Blanchard pushed the Wolverines to a 32-29 advantage headed into halftime.
Despite falling behind 40-29 with 16:14 left in the game, Wake Forest outscored the Wolverines 42-20 in the final 16 minutes, shooting 48 percent for the game and holding their opponent to 35 percent. Songaila scored 13 points for the Deacons and led with as many as 12 points in the half.
Odom's squad hit 80 percent of their free throws, including the 6 of 8 from over line, aided by junior Antwan Scott who shot 100 percent from the field and foul line throughout the entire game. Senior Josh Shoemaker collected 13 rebounds for Wake Forest, bringing his career total to 500.
The 71-60 victory over Michigan pushed the Deacons' record in the ACC/B1G Challenge to 2-0, in addition to their Final Four victory over Wisconsin during the 1999 season.
Present Day
Returning for the Deacs from the 2023-24 season is the senior trio of Hunter Sallis, Cameron Hildreth, and Efton Reid III. Wake enters Sunday's matchup 2-0 at home, with victories against non-conference opponents Coppin State and NC A&T.
The Wolverines will look for their second win of the season under new head coach Dusty May, after defeating Cleveland State 101-53 at Crisler Center.
Players Mentioned
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