Jan. 10, 2002

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#19 Wake Forest (12-3/2-0) vs. Clemson (11-5/2-1)

Game #16 / Jan. 12, 2002 Lawrence Joel Coliseum (14,665) Winston-Salem, NC

Tip-Off: 2:09 p.m.

Television: Jefferson Pilot Sports. Tim Brant (play-by-play) and Mike Gminski (color analysis) call the action. Beverly Rumley produces.

Radio: The Deacon Radio Network, distributed by ISP. Stan Cotten (play-by-play) and Mark Freidinger (color analysis) call the action.

The Records: Wake Forest is 12-3 overall and 2-0 in the ACC after an 87-65 non-conference win at Navy Monday night. Clemson is 11-5 and 2-1 after beating visiting 7th-ranked Virginia Tuesday night, 68-52.

The Rankings: Wake Forest is ranked 19th in the Associated Press poll and 19th in the ESPN/USA Today poll last week. Clemson is not ranked.

WFU Coach Skip Prosser: Prosser (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy '72) is 12-3 in his first season at Wake Forest. In nine years overall as a head coach, including one season at Loyola (MD) and seven seasons at Xavier, Prosser has a career record of 177-81.

Clemson Coach Larry Shyatt: Shyatt (College of Wooster '73) is 53-59 in four seasons with the Tigers, 72-68 in five years overall.

The Series History: Wake Forest leads, 87-49. More series information on page two.

The Officials: Announced on game day.

No. 19 Wake Forest Hosts Clemson Saturday At The Joel

Wake Forest, sitting atop the ACC standings and riding a four-game winning streak, hosts red-hot Clemson Saturday at Lawrence Joel Coliseum (2:09 p.m./JP Sports). The Demon Deacons, 12-3 overall and 2-0 in the ACC, have won their last two games by a combined 44 points with wins at North Carolina (84-62) last Saturday and at Navy (87-65) Monday night. Senior Craig Dawson sank a career-best seven three-point field goals en route to 21 points in Monday's win over the Midshipmen. Wake Forest is ranked 19th nationally in the Associated Press poll and in the ESPN/USA Today poll. Clemson, 11-5 and 2-1, is coming off consecutive wins at Georgia Tech (83-76) last Saturday and against 7th-ranked Virginia (68-52) Tuesday night. The Tigers have won four of their last five games. Wake Forest leads the all-time series 87-49. The Deacons have defeated Clemson six straight times and they haven't lost at home to the Tigers since 1990.

What's at stake for Wake Saturday:
- Wake Forest needs a win Saturday to remain on top of the ACC standings. The Deacons join Maryland as the only two teams undefeated in ACC play. - The Deacons are looking for their ninth consecutive homecourt victory. Wake hasn't lost at home since Feb. 24, 2001 versus No. 4 Duke. - WFU is looking for its best ACC start since beginning league play 5-0 in 1996-97.

A Quick Look At The Deacons
Wake Forest, a veteran squad that features four seniors and one junior in the starting lineup, is beginning to get strong support from a youthful bench. Freshman Taron Downey, for example, came off the bench for a career-high 15 points at Navy on Monday. The Deacons have a balanced attack with four players averaging double-figure points per game. In each of the last four games a different Deacon player has led the team in scoring. Senior forward Darius Songaila (17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game) is having an All-ACC-type season. He ranks among the league leaders in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage (.532), free throw percentage (.835) and blocked shots (16). Junior Josh Howard (13.7 ppg. and 8.1 rpg.) has been on a roll since mid-December. Over his last six games, Howard has averaged 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Senior Craig Dawson (11.7 ppg.) ranks among the ACC leaders in three-point field goals made (43) and in three-point field goal percentage (.417). At Navy Monday he poured in a career-high seven three-point field goals. Senior Antwan Scott (10.3 ppg. and 5.5 rpg.) is in a three-game scoring slump, but he leads the ACC in blocked shots (30). Senior Broderick Hicks (8.6 ppg.) leads the team in assists (51) but he's getting competition from Downey, who has played a combined 35 minutes over the last two games. Freshman Vytas Danelius (5.9 ppg. and 3.5 rpg.) is shooting 62.1 percent from the field. Junior Steve Lepore (4.7 ppg.) had a career-high 15 points at North Carolina last Saturday. Freshman Jamaal Levy and senior Ervin Murray are also part of the rotation.

Deacons Bomb Navy From The Perimeter For An 87-65 Victory
Wake Forest sank a season-high 12 three-point field goals, including nine in the second half by Craig Dawson (six) and Taron Downey (three) to beat host Navy, 87-65 Monday night. Dawson finished the game with a career-best seven three-pointers for 21 points. Downey was 3-of-4 from three-point range en route to a career-high 15 points. Darius Songaila earned his sixth double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Wake Forest shot 52.5 percent including a season-best 69.2 percent in the second half. The Deacons shot 52.2 percent (12-of-23) from behind the three-point arc. The win was Wake's fourth straight, tying for its longest win streak of the season. More from Monday's win at Navy: - Wake's 12 three-point field goals tied for the most ever in one game by a Navy opponent. - Dawson's seven three-pointers were two shy of tying Randolph Childress' school record. - Songaila's 12 rebounds tied for the most by a Deacon player this season. All 12 boards came on the defensive end. - Navy's first-half field goal percentage (.211) was the lowest in any half by a Deacon opponent this season.

Deacon Streaks
- The Deacons have an eight-game homecourt winning streak with a perfect 8-0 record this season. Wake has not lost in Lawrence Joel Coliseum since an 82-80 defeat to No. 4-ranked Duke on Feb. 24, 2001. - Wake Forest has won 23 consecutive non-conference home games. Wake's last non-conference loss at home came against 19th-ranked Arkansas on Dec. 23, 1998. - Wake Forest begins ACC play with a 2-0 record for the first time since 1996-97. - Wake Forest has made at least one three-point field goal in 270 consecutive games. - The Deacons are 5-0 this season in games decided by five points or less. - Wake Forest is 7-0 when scoring 80 points or more. - WFU is 11-0 this season when shooting a higher field goal percentage than its opponent. - Wake has used the same starting lineup -- Broderick Hicks, Craig Dawson, Antwan Scott, Darius Songaila and Josh Howard -- in all 15 games. - Dawson has made at least one three-point field goal in every game this season. Throw out the game against Maryland in last year's ACC Tournament when Dawson played just one minute before getting injured, he has made at least one three-pointer in 26 straight games.

Wake-Clemson Series History
- Wake Forest leads the all-time series, 87-49. - The Demon Deacons have won the last six meetings, sweeping the regular season series in each of the last three years. - WFU has won 19 of the last 24 meetings. - Wake has won the last 11 meetings played in Winston-Salem. Clemson's last win in Winston came in 1990. - Wake coach Skip Prosser is 0-1 all-time against Clemson. His Xavier team fell to the Tigers in the semifinals of the 1999 NIT at Madison Square Garden. - Clemson's Larry Shyatt is 0-6 all-time against the Deacons. - WFU and Clemson first met during the 1925-26 season.

Wake Forest-Clemson Connections
- Clemson has two players -- Ray Henderson (Greensboro) and Dwon Clifton (High Point) from the Triad area. - Wake Forest has two players from Lithuania -- Darius Songaila and Vytas Danelius. Clemson has one Lithuanian on its roster (Thomas Nagys). - Both head coaches -- Wake's Skip Prosser and Clemson's Larry Shyatt -- have strong ties to the state of Ohio. Prosser coached at Xavier as an assistant from 1985-93 and as head coach from 1995-2001. Shyatt attended the College of Wooster (in Cleveland) and previously worked at Wooster, Akron and Cleveland State as an assistant coach.

Deacon Defense Helps Lead To Wake's Four-Game Winning Streak
Wake Forest owns a four-game winning streak, matching its longest win streak of the season. The Deacons have a balanced attack and solid defense to thank for the streak. Over the last four games Wake opponents are shooting just 35.3 percent while scoring just 59.5 points per game. The Deacons have out-rebounded opponents by 8.6 boards per game during the streak. Wake Forest has held six straight opponents to less than 40 percent shooting. Florida State, back on Dec. 16, is the last team to shoot better than 40 percent against the Deacons. Offensively, there has been a different leader every night. Broderick Hicks scored 14 against Marquette. Darius Songaila led WFU with 19 points against Richmond. Josh Howard scored 20 points and Steve Lepore came off the bench for 15 points in a win at North Carolina. Craig Dawson scored 21 points and Taron Downey came off the bench for 15 points Monday against Navy.

Wake Over The Last Four Games Category Last 4 First 11 Record 4-0 8-3 Opponent Scoring Average 59.5 71.7 Scoring Margin +16.0 +9.1 FG Percentage Defense 35.3 42.4 3-Point Field Goals Per Game 7.3 6.3 Free Throw Percentage 76.6 71.4 Rebound Margin +8.6 +4.8

Wake's Schedule One Of Its Most Difficult Slates Ever
In November and December, Wake Forest played four nationally-ranked teams. The last time the Deacs played four ranked opponents before Jan. 1 came in the 1953-54 season. And the most difficult portion of the Wake schedule is on the horizon. Consider: - Using the AP poll, three of the nation's top four ranked teams and five of the top 10 ranked teams are on the Deacon schedule -- No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Duke, No. 4 Maryland, No. 7 Virginia and No. 10 Cincinnati. Syracuse is ranked 12th and five other opponents received votes for the poll. - Wake Forest will play three consecutive games against No. 7 Virginia (Jan. 15), No. 2 Duke (Jan. 19) and No. 4 Maryland (Jan. 23). The last time Wake played three consecutive ranked opponents came in 1994-95 -- vs. No. 11 Duke, No. 9 Maryland and No. 22 Georgia Tech. The last time the Deacons played three straight teams ranked in the top 10 came in 1985-86 -- vs. No. 5 Georgia Tech, No. 1 North Carolina and No. 3 Duke. - Wake Forest is 2-2 this season against ranked teams. Last season the Deacons won two games against ranked teams all year. - The Deacons will have two opportunities next week to beat a ranked team on the road for the first time since beating No. 21 Clemson on Jan. 9, 1999. Wake will look for its first win on the road against a top 10 team since beating four teams in the top 10 in 1996-97. Wake's win over No. 23 Fresno State earlier this year in New York was its first over a ranked team on a neutral court since 1995-96. - Seven of Wake's final 14 games will come against teams currently ranked in the AP top 25. - Wake's schedule, according to College RPI.com, is the most difficult in the ACC. Deacons Move Up To 19th In Both Major Polls Wake Forest moved inside the top 20 in both the Associated Press poll and the ESPN/USA Today poll this week at No. 19. The No. 19 ranking matches Wake's highest ranking of the season. Wake Forest has been ranked in both polls for seven consecutive weeks and the Deacons have been in the AP poll in 26 of the last 27 weeks. Using the AP poll as an indicator, Wake is facing one of the nation's most difficult schedules this season. Six of the nation's top 12 teams -- No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Duke, No. 4 Maryland, No. 7 Virginia, No. 10 Cincinnati and No. 12 Syracuse -- are on the Wake Forest schedule. More on Wake Forest and the national polls: - Wake Forest is 2-2 against ranked foes this year. The Deacons beat No. 25 Marquette and No. 23 Fresno State and lost to No. 18 Syracuse and No. 4 Kansas. - Wake has already won as many games over nationally-ranked teams this season (two) than in all of last season (2-8). Another win over a ranked team would give the Deacons their most wins over ranked teams since 1996-97. - Wake Forest is ranked 6th by CollegeRPI.com, No. 11 in the Sagarin Ratings, No. 14 by Basketball America, No. 18 by CBS Sportsline and No. 22 by The Sporting News. - If the rankings hold, Wake would play consecutive games vs. No. 7 Virginia (Jan. 15), No. 2 Duke (Jan. 19) and No. 4 Maryland (Jan. 23).

Darius Songaila Enjoying An All-ACC-Type Season So Far
Perhaps senior Darius Songaila is motivated because he was left off the preseason All-ACC team, or maybe he's flourishing in coach Skip Prosser's system. Regardless, Songaila is enjoying his finest season as a Deacon. Songaila ranks among the ACC leaders in seven different statistical categories. More on Songaila: - He ranks fourth in the ACC in scoring (17.2 points per game). - His scoring average is the highest by a Wake Forest player since Tim Duncan averaged 20.8 points as a senior in 1997. - Songaila has scored in double figures in every game but one this season and he has scored in double figures 87 times in his career. - He ranks fourth in the ACC in free throw percentage (.835) and he has shot 88.9 percent (72-of-81) from the line over the last 10 games combined. - His career free throw percentage (.823) is the sixth-highest in Wake Forest history. - Songaila is second on the team and ranks eighth in the ACC in rebounding (7.6 rpg.). - He ranks 17th in Wake Forest history with 651 career rebounds and will move into 16th place with six more boards. - He ranks ninth in Wake Forest history with 85 career blocked shots. - Songaila has six double-doubles this season. Only Virginia's Travis Watson (7) and Duke's Carlos Boozer (7) have more. Songaila owns 14 career double-doubles. - He ranks fourth in the ACC in field goal percentage (.532). - He ranks 15th in Wake Forest career scoring history with 1,510 points after eclipsing the 1,500-point mark Monday at Navy. - Songaila is just the ninth player in Wake history with 1,500 points and 600 rebounds. - Only five players in school history have made more free throws than Songaila (473) and only seven players have attempted more free throws (575). - He has scored 20 or more points in a game 14 times, including four times this season. - He ranks 14th in the ACC in assists (2.73). - Songaila was named to the Preseason NIT All-Tournament team after his performances against Fresno State and Syracuse.

Where Songaila Ranks In The ACC Scoring 4th (17.2) Free Throw Percentage 4th (.835) Field Goal Percentage 4th (.532) Rebounding 8th (7.6) Blocked Shots 11th (1.07) Steals 13th (1.47) Assists 14th (2.73)

Josh Howard One Of The ACC's Most Versatile Players
Junior Josh Howard went through a mini-slump in early December (9 points vs. Kansas, 3 points vs. SC State), but he has been Wake's hottest player since late December. Howard saw his streak of double-doubles end at three games last Saturday, although he enjoyed one of his finest performances. He scored a game-high 20 points, grabbed nine rebounds and recorded a career-high-tying five steals against North Carolina. More on Howard. - At 6-6, Howard leads the team and ranks sixth in the ACC in rebounding (8.1 rpg.). - He leads the ACC in offensive rebounds (3.73 per game). - He is second on the team and 14th in the ACC in scoring (13.7 ppg.). - He ranks fifth in the ACC in field goal percentage (.527). - Only five players in the ACC have more double-doubles this season than Howard (four). - Just a junior, Howard scored his 900th career point last Saturday. He will soon become the 41st player in Wake Forest history to score 1,000 career points (he has 933 career points). - He ranks 11th in the ACC in steals (1.53 spg.). - Howard ranks among Wake's all-time leaders in steals with 125. - Howard ranks 15th in the ACC in blocked shots (13). - He ranks among Wake's all-time leaders in blocked shots (78). - In ACC games, Howard averages 17.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Josh Howard's Last Six Games Opponent PTS REB FG-A BS vs. St. Francis 21 6 9-11 0 at St. John's 15 10 6-12 1 vs. Marquette 10 11 3-11 1 vs. Richmond 16 12 7-13 2 at North Carolina 20 9 9-15 1 at Navy 14 7 6-13 1

Scott One Of The ACC's Most Improved Players
Senior Antwan Scott, in his first year as a starter, is making the most of his final season. He has nearly doubled his statistics from a year ago, easily making him one of the ACC's most improved players. Consider: - He leads the ACC in blocked shots (2.00 per game). - Scott ranks second on the team in minutes played (29.3). - His field goal percentage (.571) would be the second-highest in the ACC, but he does not have the minimum number of field goals made to qualify. - He ranks 25th in the ACC in scoring (10.2 ppg.) and 18th in rebounding (5.5 rpg.). - Scott ranks fifth on Wake Forest's all-time blocked shots list with 123 career rejections. - He has scored in double figures 10 times this season. - He has shot better than 50 percent from the field in 11 of 15 games this season.

Antwan Scott This Season Last Season Minutes Per Game 29.3 16.2 Points Per Game 10.2 6.8 Rebounds Per Game 5.5 3.6 Field Goal Percentage 57.1 48.7 Blocks Per Game 2.0 1.3

Downtown Dawson Nails Seven Three-Pointers In Latest Outing
Senior Craig Dawson has demonstrated his outside shooting ability for four years. But last Monday at Navy, he did something he has not done before -- make seven three-point field goals in one game. Dawson's 7-of-11 performance from three-point range was his latest example of why he is considered one of the most dangerous shooters in the ACC. Dawson leads Wake Forest and ranks fourth in the ACC for three-point field goals made (2.87 per game) and he is shooting 41.7 percent (43-of-103) from behind the arc, which ranks fourth in the ACC. More on Dawson: - He has made at least one three-point field goal in every game this season and he has made at least two three-pointers in every game but two. - Dawson has made three or more three-pointers in a game seven times this season, 27 times in his career. - He ranks fourth in Wake Forest history with 198 career three-point field goals. - He ranks 22nd in ACC history for career three-point field goals made. - Dawson ranks 18th in the ACC in scoring (11.7 ppg.). - He ranks 32nd in Wake Forest career scoring history with 1,097 points. - He has attempted 516 career three-pointers, which ranks fourth in WFU history. - Dawson has played in 109 career games.

Freshman Downey Enjoying The New Year
In November and December, freshman guard Taron Downey was a solid reserve in the Deacon backcourt. But in January, the rookie point guard has played like one of the ACC's top freshmen players. Downey began January by pulling down a career-high six rebounds Jan. 2 against Richmond. He followed that with three assists in a career-high 19 minutes Jan. 5 at North Carolina. And last Monday at Navy he erupted for a career-high 15 points on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range.

Taron Downey Category First 12 Games Last 3 Games Minutes Per Game 6.8 12.3 Points Per Game 1.7 5.7 Three-Point Field Goals 0.3 1.0 Rebounds 0.5 3.0 Assists 0.7 1.3

Ditto For Steve Lepore Like Taron Downey (see above)
Steve Lepore has turned his game up a notch in January. The junior transfer from Northwestern is beginning to get his confidence back after struggling at times in November and December. January began quietly enough with a 7-point, 2-assist effort in the win over Richmond Jan. 2. But last Saturday at North Carolina, Lepore came off the bench for WFU career-highs of 15 points, seven rebounds, three 3-point field goals and 22 minutes played.

Steve Lepore Category First 12 Games Last 3 Games Minutes Per Game 10.8 18.7 Points Per Game 3.7 8.7 Three-Point Field Goals 0.8 1.3 Rebounds 2.0 3.7 Assists 1.0 1.7

Senior Class' Accomplishments Continue To Grow
With five fourth-year seniors on its roster, including four seniors in the starting lineup, Wake Forest has one of the ACC's most experienced groups. Four of Wake's top five scorers -- Darius Songaila (17.2 ppg.), Craig Dawson (11.7 ppg.), Antwan Scott (10.3 ppg.) and Broderick Hicks (8.6 ppg.) -- are all seniors. Seniors lead Wake in basically every statistical category. Those five seniors -- Songaila, Dawson, Hicks, Ervin Murray and Scott -- have enjoyed much success over the last four years. Consider: - Wake's senior class has appeared in postseason play every season, including an NCAA Tournament appearance last season. - Over the last four seasons, Wake Forest is a combined 70-42 (.625). The Class of 2002 is trying to become the seventh senior class to win 80 games or more over four seasons. - The seniors have been a part of three wins over teams ranked in the top 10. - In 2001, Wake Forest won the postseason NIT championship. - The five seniors have combined to play in 549 career games.

Career Games Played/WFU History Rk. Player (Years) Games 1. Tim Duncan (1994-1997) 128 2. Robert O'Kelley (1998-01) 127 3. Josh Shoemaker (1998-01) 126 4. Danny Young (1981-1984) 122 Tony Rutland (1995-98) 122 6. Anthony Teachey (1981-84) 121 7. Frank Johnson (1977-81) 120 Randolph Childress (1991, 93-95) 120 9. Tyrone Bogues (1984-87) 119 Rafael Vidaurreta (1998-01) 119 11. Lee Garber (1982-85) 116 12. Trelonnie Owens (1991-94) 115 Jerry Braswell (1995-98) 115 nr. Broderick Hicks (1998- ) 112 Darius Songaila (1998- ) 111 Antwan Scott (1998- ) 110 Craig Dawson (1998- ) 109 Ervin Murray (1998- ) 107

Songaila Gaining Reputation As Clutch Performer
Senior Darius Songaila is the type of player who wants the ball in his hands at crunch time. And almost each time, the results have been great for Wake Forest: - Songaila hit a lay-up with 2.7 seconds remaining to lift Wake Forest to a 79-78 win over UNC-Wilmington in the season opener. - Nov. 21 against Fresno State, Songaila's follow tip with 1.7 seconds left gave the Deacons a 62-61 win over the Bulldogs in the semifinals of the Preseason NIT at Madison Square Garden. - Songaila's two free throws with 3:37 remaining broke a 57-57 tie with 19th-ranked Marquette on Dec. 29. The Deacons led the rest of the way en route to a 64-59 win over the Golden Eagles.

Milestones Within Reach
Milestones that could be reached Saturday or in the near future: - Craig Dawson (1,097 career points) needs just three points to reach the 1,100-point mark. He needs eight points to pass Trelonnie Owens for 31st place on Wake's all-time scoring list and he needs 21 points to pass Jim Johnstone for 30th place. - Dawson (198 career three-point field goals) is two three-pointers shy of 200 career treys. - Darius Songaila needs six rebounds to pass Alvis Rogers for 16th place on Wake's all-time career rebounds chart. - Songaila needs nine free throw attempts to move into eighth place in Wake history. - Josh Howard (125 career steals) needs five pilfers to move into ninth place on Wake's all-time steals list.

The Skip Prosser Era In Full Swing At Wake Forest
Skip Prosser, who previously served as the head coach at Loyola (MD) and Xavier, is beginning his first season at Wake Forest. His record at Wake Forest is 12-3. His career record, in nine seasons, is 177-81. Prosser comes to Winston-Salem after serving seven seasons as the head coach at Xavier, where he compiled a record of 148-65 (.695) and led the Musketeers to six postseason appearances. A 1972 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Prosser's teams won 20 games or more six times in seven years at Xavier. He has the 18th-highest winning percentage among active Division I coaches and he helped Xavier earn one of the nation's highest graduation rates. Joining Prosser on the coaching staff are former Xavier assistants Jeff Battle and Dino Gaudio and former Musketeer players Chris Mack (assistant coach) and Pat Kelsey (director of basketball operations).

Winningest Active Division I Coaches Rk. Coach, Current School Pct. 1. Jerry Tarkanian, Fresno State .802 2. John Kresse, Charleston .801 3. Roy Williams, Kansas .800 4. Rick Majerus, Utah .742 4. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse .742 6. Rick Pitino, Louisville .739 7. Lute Olson, Arizona .738 8. Tom Izzo, Michigan State .736 8. Bob Huggins, Cincinnati .736 10. John Chaney, Temple .734 11. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke .731 12. Nolan Richardson, Arkansas .721 13. Eddie Sutton, Oklahoma State .716 14. John Calipari, Memphis .712 15. Tubby Smith, Kentucky .711 16. Jim Calhoun, Connecticut .682 17. Mike Montgomery, Stanford .680 18. Skip Prosser, Wake Forest .679 19. Larry Eustachy, Iowa State .673 20. Billy Tubbs, TCU .672 *Entering the 2001-02 season

Prosser Has No. 1's Number
Wake Forest's Skip Prosser has coached against the nation's No. 1-ranked team three times and he has come away a winner twice. Prosser's Xavier teams beat No. 1 Cincinnati in 1999-00 and in 1996-97. His only loss to a No. 1-ranked team was an overtime decision to No. 1 Massachusetts in 1995-96. Prosser, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and Maryland's Gary Williams are the only current Atlantic Coast Conference coaches to own more than one victory against a No. 1-ranked team. Prosser Makes WFU History With Win At Carolina Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser is now 1-0 in Chapel Hill after last Saturday's 84-62 win over the Tar Heels. The last time a first-year Deacon coach won in Chapel Hill came in 1926 by R.S. Hayes.

Deacons Find Comfort Zone In Lawrence Joel Coliseum
Wake Forest is making Lawrence Joel Coliseum an unfriendly place for visitors. The Deacons own an eight-game homecourt winning streak and are putting up big numbers within the friendly confines. Wake averages more than 84 points per game and shoots nearly 51 percent at home. The Deacons aren't bad on the road either. Wake Forest has defeated Arkansas, North Carolina and Navy in true road games and the Deacons beat Fresno State at Madison Square Garden in the semifinals of the Preseason NIT. Wake's road losses came at Kansas and St. John's with a neutral site loss to Syracuse.

Comparing Wake At Home And On Road Category Home Non-Home Record 8-0 4-3 Scoring Average 84.9 73.1 Opponent Scoring Average 67.8 69.3 Scoring Margin +17.1 +3.8 Field Goal Percentage 50.9 43.6 3-Point Field Goal Percentage 35.3 32.8 Free Throw Percentage 75.4 68.0 Assists Average 17.4 15.4 Blocks Average 6.3 5.0

Songaila A Candidate
Darius Songaila is one of 30 candidates for the first annual Senior CLASS Award, presented in April by the Kansas City Club.

Deacons Will Play Three Straight Ranked Opponents
As if it weren't difficult enough to play the ACC's hottest team on Saturday (Clemson), Wake Forest will play three consecutive nationally-ranked teams beginning Tuesday. The three-game stretch begins at Virginia Tuesday. If the Cavaliers, ranked No. 7, remain in the top 10 next week then the Deacons will play three consecutive top 10 teams. Following Tuesday's game at No. 7 Virginia, the Deacons play at No. 2 Duke Jan. 19, then host No. 4 Maryland Jan. 23. The last time Wake played three consecutive ranked teams came in 1994-95. The last time the Deacons played three straight teams ranked in the top 10 came in 1985-86. Below is a list of Wake's three-game stretches against ranked teams since 1985-86.

1994-95 Jan. 11 vs. #11 Duke W, 74-64 Jan. 14 at #9 Maryland L, 66-76 Jan. 17 at #22 Georgia Tech L, 65-67

1991-92 Feb. 1 at #23 Florida State L, 78-79 Feb. 3 vs. #14 Tulane W, 69-66 Feb. 8 at #9 North Carolina L, 78-80

1990-91 Feb. 10 vs. #11 Virginia W, 74-66 Feb. 13 at #8 North Carolina L, 70-85 Feb. 16 vs. #5 Duke W, 86-77

1988-89 Jan. 18 at #15 NC State L, 64-82 Jan. 21 vs. #1 Duke W, 75-71 Jan. 25 vs. #7 North Carolina L, 74-88

1987-88 Jan. 20 vs. #20 NC State W, 71-67 Jan. 23 vs. #9 Duke L, 70-103 Jan. 28 vs. #3 North Carolina W, 83-80

1986-87 Jan. 15 at #17 NC State L, 67-75 Jan. 17 at #14 Duke L, 49-69 Jan. 22 vs. #2 North Carolina L, 53-79

1985-86 Jan. 8 at #5 Georgia Tech L, 58-72 Jan. 11 vs. #1 North Carolina L, 65-89 Jan. 16 at #3 Duke L, 63-92

Beating The Highly-Ranked
Over the last eight seasons, Wake Forest has defeated 12 teams ranked in the top 10. That includes wins last season over No. 3 Kansas and No. 8 Virginia.

Recent Wake Wins Vs.Top 10 Teams Opponent Site Date Result No. 8 Virginia H Jan. 2, 2001 W, 96-73 No. 3 Kansas H Dec. 7, 2000 W, 84-53 No. 4 Maryland H Jan. 31, 1999 W, 85-72 No. 7 Clemson H Feb. 12, 1997 W, 55-49 No. 7 Maryland A Feb. 1, 1997 W, 74-69> No. 2 Clemson A Jan. 23, 1997 W, 65-62 No. 10 Duke A Jan. 11, 1997 W, 81-69 No. 7 Utah A Dec. 31, 1996 W, 70-59 No. 4 N. Carolina N March 12, 1995 W, 82-80ot No. 2 N. Carolina A Feb. 28, 1995 W, 79-70 No. 7 Maryland H Feb. 15, 1995 W, 63-54 No. 5 N. Carolina H March 2, 1994 W, 68-61

Miscellaneous Deacon Items
- Wake Forest is looking to begin the month of January 4-0 for the first time since 1996-97. - Reserve sophomore guard A.W. Hamilton announced Dec. 28 that he will transfer to another school. - Wake Forest has played three games this season at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Deacons beat Fresno State before losing to Syracuse in the Preseason NIT finals on Nov. 21 and Nov. 23. Wake lost to St. John's on Dec. 22.