Deacon Basketball 03 04 6 14 16 19 31 33 62 67 99 ACC Regular Season Champions NCAA Sweet Sixteen All-ACC Selections In Last Three Seasons Straight Postseason Berths All-time All-American Selections NCAA Tournament Overall Appearances ACC Wins In Last Three Seasons Consecutive Weeks In The AP Top 25 Final Four Appearance Wins In Last Three Seasons th Season Of Wake Forest Basketball Junior guard Justin Gray, a first team All-ACC selection in 2004, is a candidate for All- American honors in 2005. After just two years, Gray has already made 132 career threepoint field goals. In This Section 42 Photo Roster 43 2004-05 Roster 44 Quick Facts 45 Outlook 48 Notebook 51 Personality Grid 52 s Survey
2004-05 PREVIEW MEDIA INFO INTRODUCTION Photo Roster 0 CHRIS ELLIS Jr. / F / 6-9 / 261 Marietta, GA 1 JUSTIN GRAY Jr. / G / 6-2 / 186 Charlotte, NC 2 JEREMY INGRAM So. / G / 6-3 / 188 Kinston, NC 3 CHRIS PAUL So. / G / 6-0 / 175 Lewisville, NC 4 TARON DOWNEY Sr. / G / 6-2 / 190 Oxford, NC 2003-04 REVIEW STAFF PLAYERS 10 JAMAAL LEVY Sr. / F / 6-9 / 186 Panama City, Panama 11 CAMERON STANLEY Fr. / F / 6-7 / 204 Raleigh, NC 13 VYTAS DANELIUS Sr. / F / 6-9 / 237 Kaunas, Lithuania 23 RICHARD JOYCE Jr. / G / 6-5 / 218 Mount Airy, NC 31 ERIC WILLIAMS Jr. / C / 6-9 / 291 Wake Forest, NC HISTORY RECORDS OPPONENTS STRICKLAND Jr. / F / 6-5 / 212 33TRENT East Flat Rock, NC PAT KELSEY Assistant Coach 4th Season at Wake Forest 55 KYLE VISSER So. / C / 6-11 / 250 Grand Rapids, MI TIM FULLER Director of Basketball Operations 1st Season at Wake Forest SKIP PROSSER Head Coach 4th Season at Wake Forest JEFF BATTLE Associate Head Coach 4th Season at Wake Forest DINO GAUDIO Associate Head Coach 4th Season at Wake Forest 42
2004-05 Wake Forest Roster NUMERICAL No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class Hometown Previous School 0 Chris Ellis** F 6-9 261 Jr. Marietta, GA Marietta HS 1 Justin Gray** G 6-2 186 Jr. Charlotte, NC Oak Hill {VA} Academy 2 Jeremy Ingram* G 6-3 188 So. Kinston, NC Kinston HS 3 Chris Paul* G 6-0 175 So. Lewisville, NC West Forsyth HS 4 Taron Downey*** G 6-2 190 Sr. Oxford, NC Fork Union {VA} Military Academy 10 Jamaal Levy*** F 6-9 186 Sr. Panama City, Panama Berkshire {FL} Academy 11 Cameron Stanley F 6-7 204 Fr. Raleigh, NC Millbrook HS 13 Vytas Danelius*** F 6-9 237 Sr. Kaunas, Lithuania Indianapolis {IN} Park Tudor 23 Richard Joyce** G 6-5 218 Jr. Mount Airy, NC Oak Hill {VA} Academy 31 Eric Williams** C 6-9 291 Jr. Wake Forest, NC Wake Forest-Rolesville HS 33 Trent Strickland** F 6-5 212 Jr. East Flat Rock, NC Hargrave {VA} Academy 55 Kyle Visser* C 6-11 250 So. Grand Rapids, MI Forest Hills Central HS *denotes letters earned ALPHABETICAL No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class Hometown Previous School 13 Vytas Danelius*** F 6-9 237 Sr. Kaunas, Lithuania Indianapolis {IN} Park Tudor 4 Taron Downey*** G 6-2 190 Sr. Oxford, NC Fork Union {VA} Military Academy 0 Chris Ellis** F 6-9 261 Jr. Marietta, GA Marietta HS 1 Justin Gray** G 6-2 186 Jr. Charlotte, NC Oak Hill {VA} Academy 2 Jeremy Ingram* G 6-3 188 So. Kinston, NC Kinston HS 23 Richard Joyce** G 6-5 218 Jr. Mount Airy, NC Oak Hill {VA} Academy 10 Jamaal Levy*** F 6-9 186 Sr. Panama City, Panama Berkshire {FL} Academy 3 Chris Paul* G 6-0 175 So. Lewisville, NC West Forsyth HS 11 Cameron Stanley F 6-7 204 Fr. Raleigh, NC Millbrook HS 33 Trent Strickland** F 6-5 212 Jr. East Flat Rock, NC Hargrave {VA} Academy 55 Kyle Visser* C 6-11 250 So. Grand Rapids, MI Forest Hills Central HS 31 Eric Williams** C 6-9 291 Jr. Wake Forest, NC Wake Forest-Rolesville HS *denotes letters earned Head Coach: Skip Prosser (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 72) Record: 67-29 (.698) in three seasons at Wake Forest/232-107 (.684) in 11 seasons overall Associate Head Coach: Jeff Battle (Marshall 85)/4th season at Wake Forest Assistant Coach: Dino Gaudio (Ohio 81)/4th season at Wake Forest Assistant Coach: Pat Kelsey (Xavier 98)/4th season at Wake Forest Director of Basketball Operations: Tim Fuller (Wake Forest 00)/1st season at Wake Forest HOW TO SAY IT Vytas Danelius Taron Downey Jamaal Levy vee-tus dan-a-loose tuh-ron Downey Jamaal Levy (like Chevy) Roster Notes By Class SENIORS (3) Vytas Danelius, Taron Downey, Jamaal Levy JUNIORS (5) Chris Ellis, Justin Gray, Richard Joyce, Trent Strickland, Eric Williams SOPHOMORES (3) Jeremy Ingram, Chris Paul, Kyle Visser FRESHMEN (1) Cameron Stanley By State/Country NORTH CAROLINA (8) Taron Downey (Oxford) Justin Gray (Charlotte) Jeremy Ingram (Kinston) Richard Joyce (Mount Airy) Chris Paul (Lewisville) Cameron Stanley (Raleigh) Trent Strickland (East Flat Rock) Eric Williams (Wake Forest) GEORGIA (1) Chris Ellis (Marietta) MICHIGAN (1) Kyle Visser (Grand Rapids) LITHUANIA (1) Vytas Danelius (Kaunas) PANAMA (1) Jamaal Levy (Panama City) By Height Kyle Visser 6-11 Vytas Danelius 6-9 Chris Ellis 6-9 Jamaal Levy 6-9 Eric Williams 6-9 Cameron Stanley 6-7 Richard Joyce 6-5 Trent Strickland 6-5 Jeremy Ingram 6-3 Taron Downey 6-2 Justin Gray 6-2 Chris Paul 6-0 By Weight Eric Williams 291 Chris Ellis 261 Kyle Visser 250 Vytas Danelius 237 Richard Joyce 218 Trent Strickland 212 Cameron Stanley 204 Taron Downey 190 Jeremy Ingram 188 Justin Gray 186 Jamaal Levy 186 Chris Paul 175 43 INTRODUCTION MEDIA INFO 2004-05 PREVIEW PLAYERS STAFF 2003-04 REVIEW OPPONENTS RECORDS HISTORY
2004-05 PREVIEW MEDIA INFO INTRODUCTION 2003-04 REVIEW STAFF PLAYERS HISTORY RECORDS OPPONENTS All-Time Numbers History Years of Basketball Entering 99th 1st Season of Basketball 1906 All-Time Head Coaches 18 ACC Head Coaches 7 All-Time Record 1,304-1,000 Winning Seasons 60.500 Seasons 4 Losing Seasons 34 20+ Win Seasons 18 ACC Games Only ACC Won-Loss Record 349-373 ACC Titles 4 ACC Regular Season Titles 4 ACC Winning Seasons 21 ACC.500 Seasons 3 ACC Losing Seasons 24 NCAA Tournament Tournament Appearances 19 Most Recent Appearance 2004 Consecutive Appearances 4 NCAA Won-Loss Record 26-19 NCAA Sweet 16s 10 NCAA Final Eight 7 Final Four Appearances 1 NCAA Championships 0 NIT Tournament Appearances 5 Last Appearance 2000 (champion) NIT Won-Loss Record 10-4 National Rankings Ranked in Final AP Top 10 3 Ranked in Final Coaches Top 10 4 Total Weeks in the AP Poll 223 Total Weeks in the AP Top 10 76 ACC Honors All-ACC Selections 56 ACC of the Year 4 ACC Rookie of the Year 3 ACC Coach of the Year 3 ACC of the Week 55 ACC Rookie of the Week 71 All-ACC Tournament (1st Team) 29 All-ACC Tournament (2nd Team) 21 ACC Tournament MVP 5 National Honors All-Americans 16 Consensus All-Americans 4 Academic 1st Team All-Americans 0 National of the Year 2 National Coach of the Year 1 Streaks Entering 04-05 Postseason Appearances 14 Games With A 3PT Field Goal 391 Quick Facts General School Wake Forest University Location Winston-Salem, NC 27109 Founded 1834 (Wake Forest, NC) Enrollment 3,950 (undergraduate) Nickname Demon Deacons Colors Old Gold and Black Fight Song O Here s To Wake Forest Arena Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Capacity 14,665 Opened 1989-90 season Record in Facility 186-42 (.823) Affiliation NCAA Division I Conference Atlantic Coast Years In Conference Entering 52nd President Dr. Thomas K. Hearn, Jr. Faculty Representative Dr. Richard Carmichael Athletic Director Ron Wellman Alma Mater (Year) Bowling Green (1970) Years at Wake Forest Entering 13th Athletic Department Phone (336) 758-5616 Ticket Office Phone (888) 758-DEAC Press Row Phone (336) 727-2945 Basketball Staff Head Coach Skip Prosser Alma Mater (Year) U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1972) Record/Years At Wake Forest 67-29 (.698) / 3 Record/Years Overall 232-107 (.684) / 11 NCAA Tournament Appearances 8 Associate Head Coach Jeff Battle Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 3 / Marshall (1985) Assistant Coach Dino Gaudio Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 3 / Ohio (1981) Assistant Coach Pat Kelsey Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 3 / Xavier (1998) Director Of Basketball Operations Tim Fuller Years At WFU/Alma Mater (Year) 0 / Wake Forest (2000) Assistant AD/Sports Medicine Greg Collins Assistant Strength Coach/Basketball Mike Tolloti Director Of Academic Counseling Jane Caldwell Assistant Equipment Manager/BKB Craig Zakrzewski Skip Prosser s Administrative Assistant Lynne Heflin Basketball Office Secretary Mary Ann Justus Basketball Office Phone (336) 758-5622 Best Time To Contact Coach Prosser Through Media Relations Media Relations Assistant AD/Media Relations (Contact) Dean Buchan Office Phone (336) 758-5640 Office Fax (336) 758-5140 Buchan s Cell Phone (336) 287-8954 Buchan s E-Mail buchandw@wfu.edu Associate Director Mike Vest Vest s Home Phone (336) 575-7161 Vest s E-Mail vestma@wfu.edu Assistant Director Bertsch Assistant Director Samantha Perry Intern Courtney Tysinger Mailing Address PO Box 7426, Winston-Salem, NC 27109 Shipping Address WFU; 203 Manchester Athletic Center; Wingate Road; Winston-Salem, NC 27109 Team Information 2003-04 Overall Record 21-10 Home/Away/Neutral 12-3 / 6-5 / 3-2 2003-04 ACC Record/Finish 9-7 / T-3rd Home/Away 5-3 / 4-4 Final Associated Press Poll Ranking 17th Final ESPN/USA Today Poll Ranking 15th Starters Returning/Lost 5 / 0 Letterwinners Returning/Lost 11 / 3 Newcomers 1 Media Information Radio Network ISP / Deacon Radio Network ISP Phone Number (336) 768-3400 Play-By-Play Announcer Stan Cotten Cotten s Phone Number (336) 758-4515 Cotten s E-Mail cottensa@wfu.edu Color Analyst Mark Freidinger Freidinger s Phone Number (336) 765-6647 Freidinger s E-Mail dingermark@peoplepc.com Athletic Department Website wakeforestsports.com Starters Returning (5) No. Ht Wt Cl Pos Ppg Rpg 4 Taron Downey 6-2 180 Sr. G 10.2 2.3 1 Justin Gray 6-2 185 Jr. G 17.0 3.2 10 Jamaal Levy 6-9 180 Sr. F 10.3 8.4 3 Chris Paul 6-0 168 So. G 14.8 3.3 31 Eric Williams 6-9 275 Jr. C 12.4 5.6 Starters Lost (0) None Letterwinners Returning (11) No. Ht Wt Cl Pos Ppg Rpg 13 Vytas Danelius 6-9 237 Sr. F 5.9 4.4 4 Taron Downey 6-2 190 Sr. G 10.2 2.3 0 Chris Ellis 6-9 261 Jr. F 1.4 1.4 1 Justin Gray 6-2 186 Jr. G 17.0 3.2 2 Jeremy Ingram 6-3 188 So. G 1.6 0.8 23 Richard Joyce 6-5 218 Jr. G 3.4 0.8 10 Jamaal Levy 6-9 186 Sr. F 10.3 8.4 3 Chris Paul 6-0 175 So. G 14.8 3.3 33 Trent Strickland 6-5 212 Jr. F 6.4 3.4 55 Kyle Visser 6-11 250 So. C 4.6 2.6 31 Eric Williams 6-9 291 Jr. C 12.4 5.6 Letterwinners Lost (3) No. Ht Wt Cl Pos Ppg Rpg 34 Todd Hendley 6-9 213 Fr. F 2.2 1.7 20 Alan Williams 6-0 180 Sr. G 0.6 0.3 35 Scott Benken 6-5 200 Sr. F 1.4 0.4 Newcomers (1) Ht Wt Cl Pos Ppg Rpg Cameron Stanley 6-7 204 Fr. F -- -- 44
The Stars Are Aligned With 11 letterwinners back from an NCAA Sweet 16 team, the Demon Deacons have the pieces in place for a memorable season. The journey to the top begins at home with the race for the crown in the expanded, loaded ACC. Deacon Notes Percentages Returning In 2004-05 Points 98.2% Rebounds 97.1% 3-Point Field Goals 98.7% Assists 98.8% Blocked Shots 98.9% Steals 98.2% Career Games Played/Started, Class GP GS Chris Ellis, Jr. 47 1 Justin Gray, Jr. 54 40 Jeremy Ingram, So. 8 0 Chris Paul, So. 31 31 Taron Downey, Sr. 96 54 Jamaal Levy, Sr. 92 53 Vytas Danelius, Sr. 90 45 Richard Joyce, Jr. 27 0 Eric Williams, Jr. 62 55 Trent Strickland, Jr. 61 6 Kyle Visser, So. 29 7 Career Double-Doubles PTS RB Jamaal Levy (9) 12 11 vs. Maryland (1.15.03) 11 10 vs. GA Tech (1.19.03) 15 13 vs. Duke (2.13.03) 10 14 at UNC (12.20.03) 12 11 at Duke (1.17.04) 12 10 at NC State (2.4.04) 19 10 vs. UNC (2.7.04) 14 15 at Maryland (2.28.04) 10 10 vs. VCU (3.18.04) INTRODUCTION MEDIA INFO 2004-05 PREVIEW PLAYERS STAFF 2003-04 REVIEW In the first three seasons under head coach Skip Prosser, Wake Forest has been successful in overcoming adversity, battling through key injuries and facing one of the nation s most difficult schedules in arguably college basketball s toughest conference. When the 2004-05 season begins, the Demon Deacons will face a different challenge: handling unusually high expectations and extreme hoopla. Several publications are tabbing Wake Forest No. 1 in preseason polls and almost every preseason magazine has the Demon Deacons in the top five. Blue Ribbon College Basketball, Yearbook, The Sporting News and ESPN.com all picked Wake No. 1 in the preseason. Lindy s projects a Deacon Final Four appearance. How the Deacons deal with the preseason adulation, how injury-free they remain and how successful they are within the loaded ACC will ultimately determine Wake Forest s fate. Two things are for sure. First, the preseason expectations on the Winston-Salem campus have never been higher, not even during the Tim Duncan era. Secondly, with all five starters and six other letterwinners back from an NCAA Sweet Sixteen team, the pieces are indeed in place for a memorable season. The only scholarship player gone from last year s team, which finished 21-10 overall, is freshman Todd Hendley, who transferred to UNC-Wilmington. Two non-scholarship players -- Alan Williams and Scott Benken -- graduated from WFU last spring. Statistically, Wake Forest returns 98.2 percent of its scoring and 97.1 percent of its rebounding. "I'm excited and I wish we started practice tomorrow," Prosser said in July. "I think the kids all feel the same way." It s what Wake Forest has this season that it did not have last year -- senior leaders -- that could make the Deacons special. PTS RB Vytas Danelius (8) 11 13 vs. Clemson (1.12.02) 10 11 vs. Duke (2.21.02) 14 14 vs. Temple (12.1.02) 12 11 vs. SMU (12.15.02) 20 14 vs. Duke (2.13.03) 10 11 vs. Clemson (3.1.03) 15 10 at NC State (3.8.03) 13 10 vs. GA Tech (1.20.04) PTS RB Eric Williams (5) 19 10 vs. Temple (12.1.02) 11 10 vs. SC State (12.18.02) 22 10 at SMU (12.15.03) 11 10 at Fla. State (1.25.04) 16 11 vs. Duke (2.18.04) OPPONENTS RECORDS HISTORY 45
2004-05 PREVIEW MEDIA INFO INTRODUCTION 2003-04 REVIEW STAFF PLAYERS HISTORY RECORDS OPPONENTS 2004-05 Schedule Nov. 4-7:00 USC-UPSTATE (Exh.) Nov. 11-7:00 WINSTON-SALEM STATE (Exh.) Nov. 15-7:00 (ESPN2) GEORGE WASHINGTON (NIT) Nov. 18-7:00 VCU/AMERICAN (NIT) Nov. 22-7:00 YALE Nov. 24 - TBA (ESPN2) Preseason NIT Semifinals Nov. 26 - TBA (ESPN2) Preseason NIT Finals/3rd Place Dec. 1-7:00 (ESPN) at Illinois (ACC/Big Ten Chall.) Dec. 4 -- 2:00 RICHMOND Dec. 13 -- 7:00 (ESPN2) at Temple Dec. 15 -- 7:00 ELON Dec. 18 -- 2:00 (ESPN) TEXAS Dec. 22 -- 9:00 (RSN) at New Mexico Dec. 30 -- 7:00 N. CAROLINA A&T Jan. 2 -- 5:30 (FXSNet) at Virginia Jan. 8 -- 4:00 (Raycom/JP) at Clemson Jan. 11-9:00 (Raycom/JP) MARYLAND Jan. 15 -- 1:30 (ABC) NORTH CAROLINA Jan. 18 -- 7:00 (ESPN2) at Florida State Jan. 22-1:00 (ABC) at Cincinnati Jan. 27 -- 8:00 (Raycom/JP) at Georgia Tech Jan. 29-4:00 (Raycom/JP) MIAMI Feb. 2-9:00 (ESPN) DUKE Feb. 5-3:00 (Raycom/JP) at Virginia Tech Feb. 10-7:00 (ESPN) NC STATE Feb. 12-1:30 (ABC) FLORIDA STATE Feb. 15-7:00 (RSN) at Miami Feb. 20-6:30 (FXSNet) at Duke Feb. 23-7:00 LONGWOOD Feb. 27-2:00 (Raycom/JP) VIRGINIA March 2-7:00 (ESPN) GEORGIA TECH March 6-8:00 (FXSNet) at NC State While last year s team had no seniors, making it one of college basketball s youngest clubs, the 2004-05 Deacons have three talented seniors and five experienced juniors. Seniors Jamaal Levy (10.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game), Taron Downey (10.2 ppg.) and Vytas Danelius (5.9 ppg., 4.4 rpg.) bring a wealth of experience. The senior trio has played in seven NCAA Tournament games, won an ACC regular season title in 2003 and have been on a nationally-ranked team virtually their entire career. Wake Forest s frontcourt was not at full strength last season. Danelius battled nagging injuries all season and then-sophomore Chris Ellis, 6-9, never fully recovered from a broken foot suffered on the first day of practice. Injury-free seasons for Danelius, a second team All-ACC selection as a sophomore, and a healthy Ellis will bolster Wake s frontcourt. The Demon Deacon backcourt is collectively one of the best in college basketball. Junior Justin Gray (17.0 ppg.), sophomore Chris Paul (14.8 ppg.) and Downey give Wake Forest three extremely quick guards who can score and distribute equally well. Gray was a first team All-ACC selection last season and is one of the ACC s top three-point shooting threats. Paul is coming off a huge freshman season in which he was named ACC Rookie of the Year and was named National Freshman of the Year by several sources. Gray (97 three-point field goals), Downey (51) and Paul (40) combined for 188 three-point field goals last season. Paul dished out 183 assists and he led the ACC in steals with 84. Gray and Paul both made the 12-man United States Under- 20 National Team, which won the gold medal at the World Championship Qualifying Tournament in Canada. Deacon junior center Eric Williams would have likely made the team as well, but a case of extreme dehydration forced him to miss most of the trials. Williams (12.2 ppg., 5.7 rpg.) could have a breakout year. He spent a week at Tim Grgurich s Big Man camp in the summer and he remains one of the ACC s physically strongest players at 291 pounds. His endurance has increased, but he needs to gain more consistency and stay out of foul trouble. Sophomore Kyle Visser (4.7 ppg., 2.6 rpg.), who is coming off a surprising freshman season in which he actually bumped Williams out of the starting lineup for seven games, gives the Deacons great depth in the post. Visser made strides in the weightroom during the off-season (he gained 26 pounds), which will help him be a big factor in 2004-05. Ellis played sparingly last season, never getting on track after breaking his foot in the first hour of Wake s first practice. If he can remain healthy and return to the form of his freshman season, he will give the Deacons a boost. Levy is ready to discard the most underrated label. He is one of the ACC s best rebounders and defenders while scoring more than 10 points per game. He had six double-doubles last season and led Wake Forest in blocked shots and field goal percentage. Two years ago as a sophomore, Danelius was a second team All-ACC selection, one of the league s best rebounders and a solid compliment to ACC of the Year Josh Howard. Last year he suffered nagging injuries and slumps. Look for Danelius to rebound strongly in his final season. Junior swingman Trent Strickland gives Prosser and the Deacons several options. A starter in six games last season, Strickland is a good defender and possesses good athleticism. He showed signs last season of blossoming into a star. Junior Richard Joyce (3.4 ppg.) and sophomore Jeremy Ingram (1.6 ppg.) should also be factors. Joyce is a solid perimeter shooter with athletic ability. Ingram is an exceptional athlete - - considered the team s best dunker -- who needs to improve his shooting and gain game experience. The only newcomer is 6-7 freshman Cameron Stanley, who 46
enjoyed an outstanding junior season at Raleigh s Millbrook High School. He suffered a knee injury early in his senior year and sat out the rest of the season. If Stanley fully recovers from the injury, he could contribute immediately. While the Deacons have a balanced attack -- five players averaged scoring in double figures last season -- Gray and Paul are legitimate All- America candidates. Paul, in fact, was a midseason John Wooden Award candidate last season and ESPN s Dick Vitale called him the nation s best freshman. He has already been named to the list of Wooden Award candidates and Paul is a Playboy Preseason All-American. Scoring will not be a problem for the Deacons. Last year they ranked third nationally behind Arizona and Troy in scoring offense (83.8 ppg.), they led the ACC in field goal percentage (.474) and three-point field goal percentage (.383). Turnovers weren t a big factor last season either. Wake Forest ranked third in the ACC in both turnover margin and assist-turnover ratio. Where Wake Forest needs improvement is clearly on the defensive end. Just one year removed from ranking 11th nationally in field goal percentage defense, the Deacons ranked dead last in the ACC in that category last season (.447). In ACC games last year, Wake opponents shot 47.6 percent. "Two years ago we were 11th in the country in field-goal percentage defense. We would have been 11th in the ACC if they had already expanded to 11," said Prosser. Prosser wouldn t mind seeing the Deacons improve their rebounding as well. Two years ago Wake Forest led the nation in that category with a +9.6 rebound margin. Last year the Deacs rebound margin dropped to +3.2, although they did rank third in the ACC. "Seeing Duke and Georgia Tech in the Final Four, when we were fortunate to beat them both, has to be motivation for our guys, Prosser said. In the ACC there are no layups. You have to bring it every game and the league is going to be even better this year. Our guys are very aware." The 2004-05 schedule is one of the nation s most difficult as the Demon Deacons will face at least 13 teams that participated in postseason play last year. Eleven of Wake s regular season games come against teams that were ranked in the final 2004 Associated Press top 25: (13) Illinois, (12) Texas, (19) Maryland, (18) North Carolina, (11) Cincinnati and two games against (6) Duke, (14) Georgia Tech and (15) NC State. It s almost like the proverbial double-edged sword, Prosser said. It s an extremely challenging schedule for our team. The non-conference schedule is probably as difficult as any team in the ACC. At the same time, it will be extremely exciting for our fans. While the non-conference schedule may be one of the nation s most challenging slates, it is the ACC regular season schedule that has taken on a new look and is receiving the most attention. With the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech, ACC teams will continue to play a 16-game regular season schedule but will play four teams just once. The Deacons will play North Carolina just once in the regular season (Jan. 15 in Winston- Salem). Not counting 1944, when Wake Forest did not field a team because of World War II, the last time the Deacons and Tar Heels failed to meet at least twice in one season came in 1921. Wake s other one-game ACC opponents include road games at Clemson and Virginia Tech and a home game against Maryland. Wake Forest and Clemson have met at least twice since 1946 and the Deacons have played Maryland at least twice every year since the ACC originated in 1953-54. The Deacs will play double-round robin games with Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State and Virginia. It hasn t set in yet that we will not play in places like the Comcast Center (Maryland) or Smith Center (North Carolina) this season, Prosser said. That s the collateral damage of expansion. While we ll miss playing longtime rivals, you hope that it s counter-balanced with new rivalries against Virginia Tech and Miami. 3 By The Numbers players who have earned All-ACC honors -- Justin Gray (1st team in 2004), Chris Paul (3rd team in 2004) and Vytas Danelius (2nd team in 2003) -- are on the 2004-05 Deacon roster. rd in the nation is what Wake Forest was ranked 3 nationally in scoring offense (83.5 ppg.) last season. th season head coach Skip Prosser is entering 4 at Wake Forest. NCAA Tournament games that Wake s seniors have played in. 7 players who have started at least one game are on 9 the 2004-05 Demon Deacon roster. teams in the ACC in 2004-05 as Miami 11 and Virginia Tech join the league. consecutive postseason appearances by the Deacs 14 -- the longest current streak in the ACC. times in Wake Forest history the 18 Deacons have won 20 games or more. consecutive weeks Wake Forest has 33 been ranked in the Associated Press top 25. is Wake Forest s 61-6 record under Skip Prosser when the Deacons shoot a higher field goal percentage than their opponent. is Wake s record 64-4 u n d e r Prosser when the Deacons hold a lead with five minutes remaining in regulation. victories over the last three seasons combined. 67 47 INTRODUCTION MEDIA INFO 2004-05 PREVIEW PLAYERS STAFF 2003-04 REVIEW OPPONENTS RECORDS HISTORY
2004-05 PREVIEW MEDIA INFO INTRODUCTION 2003-04 REVIEW STAFF PLAYERS HISTORY RECORDS OPPONENTS 48 By The Numbers II 0 1 2 3 5-0 seniors were on the 2003-04 Deacon team. This year there are three -- Vytas Danelius, Taron Downey and Jamaal Levy. is what Wake Forest is ranked in preseason polls published by ESPN.com, The Sporting News and Blue Ribbon Yearbook. Demon Deacons -- Justin Gray and Chris Paul -- were on the gold medalwinning USA Under 20 Team last summer..13 three-point field goals per game is what Justin Gray averaged last season, ranking second in the ACC. is Wake s alltime record in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Deacons play at Illinois Dec. 1 in the Challenge this season. 10 or ESPN2. 13 by 84 132 392 751 regular season games (at least) will be televised by ESPN teams that played in the 2004 NCAA Tournament (9) or the NIT (4) are on the Wake Forest schedule. steals last season then-freshman Chris Paul -- the third-most single-season pilfers in Wake Forest history. career threepoint field goals by Justin Gray - - the sixth-most in Wake Forest history. consecutive games Wake Forest has made at least one three-point field goal. miles (one way) Kyle Visser s parents drive to attend several Deacon home games. Demon Deacon Notebook Smart Deacons -- In the spring semester of 2004, seven different members of the Demon Deacon basketball team made the Dean s List -- Scott Benken, John Buck, Vytas Danelius, Scott Feather, Jamaal Levy, Chris Paul and Kyle Visser. Paul and Visser were named to the ACC All-Academic Team. The Preseason Hoopla -- Wake Forest had its share of preseason hype: ESPN.com -- chose Wake Forest No. 1 in its preseason poll. Blue Ribbon Yearbook -- picked Wake No. 1 in the preseason. Lindy s -- ranked WFU No. 2 in its preseason poll. Athlon -- selected Wake Forest as a Final Four team. Slam -- ranked the Deacons No. 3 in the preseason. ACC Handbook -- ranked Wake No. 4 nationally New Jersey And More -- The Deacons will don new Nike Elite uniforms in 2004-05 with versions in white, gold and black. At Joel Coliseum, there is a new playing surface, replacing the original floor which had been in place since the 1989-90 season. Brutal Schedule -- Notes on the 2004-05 Demon Deacon schedule: Eleven of Wake s regular season games come against teams that were ranked in the final 2004 Associated Press top 25: (13) Illinois, (12) Texas, (19) Maryland, (18) North Carolina, (11) Cincinnati and two games against (6) Duke, (14) Georgia Tech and (15) NC State. Wake Forest will play at least nine different teams that participated in the 2004 NCAA Tournament for a total of 12 games: Illinois, Richmond, Texas, Maryland, North Carolina, Cincinnati, and two games against Duke, Georgia Tech and NC State. That number could go up if the Deacons advance in the Preseason NIT to face VCU and others. Four other Deacon opponents -- George Washington, Temple, Florida State and Virginia -- played in the 2004 Postseason NIT for a total of 13 different opponents to participate in postseason action last season. Four of Wake Forest s final 12 regular season games come against two 2004 Final Four teams -- Duke and Georgia Tech. A New Era In The ACC -- Miami and Virginia Tech join the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2004-05, giving the league 11 teams. The regular season ACC schedule will still consist of 16 games. The Deacons are 2-0 all-time against Miami with the last meeting coming in 1990-91. Wake Forest is 24-20 all-time against Virginia Tech with the last meeting coming in 1998-99. For A Change, Wake Has Seniors -- One year after the Wake Forest roster had no scholarship seniors on its roster, the Demon Deacons have three veteran seniors on the roster in 2004-05. In fact, Wake Forest has not suited up three seniors in the same season since Skip Prosser s first season in 2001-02. Vytas Vytas Danelius Taron Downey Jamaal Levy Danelius, Taron Downey and Jamaal Levy have a chance to be one of the most successful senior classes in Wake Forest history. Over the last three years, Wake Forest has won 67 games for an average of 22.3 wins per year. Deacons Enter Season With Streaks -- Wake Forest enters the 2004-05 season with a handful of streaks: 14 consecutive postseason appearances -- the longest current streak in the ACC. Four straight NCAA Tournament appearances. 33 consecutive weeks ranked in the Associated Press poll. Three consecutive 20-win seasons. Three straight NCAA Tournament first-round wins. Closing In On A Grand -- Seniors Taron Downey (791 career points), Vytas Danelius (754) and Jamaal Levy (623) are all within reach of 1,000 career points. But a junior -- Justin Gray (818 points) -- may beat them to the punch. With 41 1,000-point scorers in its history, Wake Forest ranks ninth among all Division I schools (see box at right). All-Time 1,000- Point Scorers 1. North Carolina 55 2. Duke 53 Louisville 53 4. Kentucky 51 5. Kansas 47 Syracuse 47 7. Notre Dame 42 8. Marshall 42 9. Wake Forest 41 10. St. John's 40 Source: Kenny Klein, Louisville Sibling Rivalry, Cross-City Match-Up -- Wake Forest picked a pair of interesting foes for its two exhibition games. On Nov. 4, the Deacons will host USC-Upstate (formerly USC- Bringing Home The Gold -- Junior Justin Gray and sophomore Chris Paul (below with coaches Tom Crean, Kelvin Sampson and Don Monson) were two of 12 college all-stars who led the United States to a gold medal this summer at the World U-20 Championship Qualifying Tournament in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The two Deacons started every game and helped the USA to a perfect 5-0 record. If not for a case of extreme dehydration, which sent Wake s Eric Williams to the hospital during the trials, the USA team would have likely included three Demon Deacons.
Spartanburg). Upstate is led by senior guard C.J. Paul, the older brother of WFU sophomore guard Chris Paul. USC-U is coached by former Deacon Eddie Payne. In Wake s other exhibition on Nov. 11, the Deacons host cross-city Division II power Winston-Salem State. The game will mark the first meeting ever on the hardwood between the two Winston-Salem schools. The Demon Deacons and Rams got together in September to co-host a basketball clinic for area youth. The Skip Prosser Era Rolls On -- Since Skip Prosser arrived at Wake Forest three years ago, the Demon Deacons have reached heights not seen in Winston-Salem since the Tim Duncan era: In Prosser s first year in 2001-02, the Deacons won a first-round NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 1997. In 2003, Wake Forest won the ACC title outright for the first time since 1962. This past season, the Deacons advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time since 1996. The Deacons have posted three consecutive winning seasons in ACC play, earning a cumulative 3 1-1 7 record. Wake Forest has won 21 or more games in each of Prosser s three seasons. In 2003 Wake Forest led the nation in rebounding -- the first time an ACC team has ever led the nation in that category. Last year the Deacons led the ACC in scoring for the first time since 1981. The Preseason Polls The Sporting News 1 Wake Forest 2 Kansas 3 North Carolina 4 Syracuse 5 Oklahoma State 6 Georgia Tech 7 Mississippi State 8 Duke 9 Kentucky 10 Illinois 11 Pittsburgh 12 Arizona 13 Connecticut 14 Louisville 15 Maryland 16 Alabama 17 Michigan State 18 Texas 19 Notre Dame 20 Gonzaga 21 Stanford 22 NC State 23 Washington 24 Memphis 25 Florida ESPN.com (Summer) 1 Wake Forest 2 North Carolina 3 Kansas 4 Georgia Tech 5 Syracuse 6 Oklahoma State 7 Connecticut 8 Arizona 9 Illinois 10 Duke 11 Mississippi State 12 Kentucky 13 Louisville 14 Maryland 15 Michigan State 16 Notre Dame 17 Wisconsin 18 Pittsburgh 19 Memphis 20 Alabama 21 Texas 22 Gonzaga 23 Washington 24 Florida 25 Stanford Blue Ribbon Yearbook 1 Wake Forest 2 Oklahoma State 3 Oklahoma State 4 North Carolina 5 Kansas 6 Syracuse 7 Illinois 8 Connecticut 9 Mississippi State 10 Duke 11 Kentucky 12 Michigan State 13 Washington 14 Wisconsin 15 Arizona 16 Florida 17 Notre Dame 18 NC State 19 Maryland 20 Alabama 21 Texas 22 Louisville 23 Memphis 24 Pittsburgh 25 Gonzaga The Deacs visited the Ronald McDonald House in September. Helping Out In The Community -- Each September the Wake Forest basketball team participates in Run With The Deacs, an annual 5k road race held on campus with proceeds going to the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. On Sept. 18, the Deacons took time out to pay a visit to the local Ronald McDonald House. Also in September, Wake Forest joined forces with Winston-Salem State to host the Diversity Basketball Camp. The one-day basketball workshop was for local inner-city youth. In December, many members of the basketball team help purchase, wrap and deliver gifts to local underprivilidged children. Some Deacs even dress as Santa Claus. A Look Back -- As Wake Forest enters its 99th season of basketball, it can celebrate the following anniversaries: 5 years ago (2000) -- Wake Forest won the postseason NIT. 10 years ago (1995) -- The Deacons won the first of two straight ACC championships behind Tim Duncan. 15 years ago (1990) -- Wake Forest opened the doors to Lawrence Joel Coliseum. Lindy s 1 Illinois 2 Wake Forest 3 North Carolina 4 Kansas 5 Connecticut 6 Kentucky 7 Syracuse 8 Michigan State 9 Georgia Tech 10 Arizona 11 Oklahoma State 12 Texas 13 Notre Dame 14 Alabama 15 Washington 16 Maryland 17 Gonzaga 18 Mississippi State 19 Pittsburgh 20 Louisville 21 Duke 22 Utah 23 Wisconsin 24 Michigan 25 UAB ACC Handbook 1 Georgia Tech 2 Illinois 3 Kansas 4 Wake Forest 5 Duke 6 Connecticut 7 North Carolina 8 Texas 9 Syracuse 10 Arizona 11 NC State 12 Oklahoma State 13 Kentucky 14 Maryland 15 Louisville 16 Wisconsin 17 Alabama 18 Providence 19 Michigan State 20 Mississippi State 21 Pittsburgh 22 Charlotte 23 Stanford 24 Gonzaga 25 Oklahoma 45 years ago (1960) -- Bones McKinney s Deacons won the ACC regular season title. Off-Season Surgery -- Junior forward Chris Ellis had additional surgery on his foot at the conclusion of the 2003 season. Sophomore guard Jeremy Ingram had surgery on his knee in April. Both players should be at 100 percent when practice begins in October. The First Staff Change -- For the first time since he arrived at Wake Forest in 2001, head coach Skip Prosser had a change on his staff when assistant coach Chris Mack left to become the top aide at his alma mater, Xavier. In Mack s place, familiar faces were hired. Pat Kelsey, who had been the director of basketball operations for three years, was promoted to assistant coach. To replace Kelsey, SLAM Magazine 1 Kansas 2 North Carolina 3 Wake Forest 4 Georgia Tech 5 Illinois 6 Arizona 7 Oklahoma State 8 Connecticut 9 Duke 10 Kentucky 11 Maryland 12 Syracuse 13 Michigan State 14 Gonzaga 15 Louisville 16 Mississippi State 17 Texas 18 Florida 19 Pittsburgh 20 Wisconsin Chris Ellis Tim Fuller Prosser hired former Deacon Tim Fuller as director of basketball operations. Support Staff -- As much as any coach in the country, Skip Prosser appreciates his support staff. In 2002, he named director of academic counseling Jane Caldwell as the team s MVP. And he has called Greg Collins the best trainer in the country. Other staffers have talent as well. Equipment guy Craig Zakrzewski may be the best h-o-r-s-e player on campus. And new strength coach Mike Tolloti has big shoes to fill. The guy he replaced, Matt Jennings, ate 30 ribs in one sitting at the Angus Barn in Raleigh last season. 49 INTRODUCTION MEDIA INFO 2004-05 PREVIEW PLAYERS STAFF 2003-04 REVIEW OPPONENTS RECORDS HISTORY
2004-05 PREVIEW MEDIA INFO INTRODUCTION 2003-04 REVIEW STAFF PLAYERS HISTORY RECORDS OPPONENTS Most Times Named ACC Rookie of the Week Kenny Anderson (GT) 1990 10 Joe Smith (MD) 1994 6 Bryant Stith (VA) 1989 6 Sam Perkins (NC) 1981 6 Luol Deng (DU) 2004 6 Chris Paul (WF) 2004 5 Four others 5 Chris Paul In The Wake Freshmen Record Book Steals 84 1st 3-Point FG %.465 1st Assists 183 1st Free Throw %.843 1st Free Throws 150 1st Free Throw Attempts 178 2nd Minutes Played 1,041 2nd Scoring Average 14.8 3rd Points Scored 460 3rd 3-Point Field Goals 40 4th Games Started 31 4th 3-Point Attempts 86 6th 50 Most Single-Season Steals / Wake Forest History Tyrone Bogues (1986) 89 Tyrone Bogues (1985) 85 Chris Paul (2004) 84 Tyrone Bogues (1987) 70 Skip Brown (1976) 69 Most Career Three-Point FGs / Wake Forest History Rk. FG 1. Randolph Childress 329 2. Robert O Kelley 288 3. Craig Dawson 255 4. Tony Rutland 248 5. Rusty LaRue 151 6. Justin Gray 132 7. Taron Downey 130 8. Steven Goolsby 127 9. Jerry Braswell 117 10. Cal Boyd 116 In The Preseason Chris Paul John R. Wooden Award Candidate Playboy Preseason All-America Team Preseason National of the Year (BRY) Preseason National of the Year (TSN) 1st Team Preseason All-America (Athlon) Preseason ACC of the Year (Athlon) 1st Team Preseason All-ACC (Athlon) Rated No. 1 Floor Leader (Athlon) Justin Gray John R. Wooden Award Candidate 1st Team Preseason All-ACC (Athlon) Rated No. 5 Shooter (Athlon) HM Preseason All-America (Athlon) Eric Williams Rated No. 5 Post (Athlon) BRY = Blue Ribbon Yearbook TSN = The Sporting News "If I have to face them in St. Louis [site of the Final Four], then that would be a lot of fun, but I wouldn't want to do it. I'm not sure there is a better point guard and shooting guard tandem in the country. -- Oklahoma Coach Kelvin Sampson "I think Chris Paul may be the best point guard we've played against since I've been at Indiana. It is impossible to pick him up full court and it's impossible to guard him when you try and press. Watching him play is like watching poetry in motion." -- Indiana Coach Mike Davis Justin Gray is just such a courageous player. Believe me, he s really good. He s got it. -- Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski "I love Chris Paul. I think he's a phenomenal player. He might be the best guard I've seen since I've been a head coach." -- New Mexico Coach Richie McKay Justin Gray is a great player. He s young but he has the toughness of a fifth-year senior. -- Indiana Coach Mike Davis "Chris Paul has a gift of innate leadership qualities. He is probably the kid who was always the shortstop in baseball, the quarterback in football and the point guard in basketball. When he asks kids to do things on the floor, they listen. He's as pure a point guard as I have coached." -- Skip Prosser "I thought Chris Paul was the best guard we've played against all year, literally the best player we saw all season. He's a whole different level." -- Manhattan coach Bobby Gonzalez "They (Justin Gray and Chris Paul) are unbelievable kids. Those two kids (would have helped) the Olympic team. Justin Gray would be by far their best outside shooter. And Chris Paul is not as good a player as Dwyane Wade or Allen Iverson, but he's a better point guard than either one. I just love those kids. -- Kelvin Sampson
Deacon Personality Grid Photo Jersey Number 13 4 0 Vytas Danelius Taron Downey Chris Ellis Name My favorite place to play a game of pick-up The Miller Center Granville Street Park Anywhere in Atlanta or Marietta (GA) My favorite pre-game meal Steak Salmon and mashed potatoes from Ryan s Yard bird Favorite NBA player of alltime Arvydas Sabonis Dominique Wilkins Posters I have on my wall: Music-related None -- but I need some of me Only photos of my family What is in my CD player right now (August 25): Dance music Lil Wayne or Usher T.I., Lil Jon, P. Troy, anything from the south or old school R&B Most famous person I ve met: Bobby Cremins Dennis Rodman My dream job would be: One where I would be the boss Pro basketball Sleeping and getting paid for it My favorite Skip Prosser saying: "Don't ever let anybody tell you how good you can be!" That s why I get paid the big bucks -- to think "I'm not the smartest guy in the world but I think I know basketball." If I could add one team to the schedule, it would be: Florida Appalachian State Whatever team Shaq is on INTRODUCTION MEDIA INFO 2004-05 PREVIEW 1 2 23 10 3 11 33 55 31 Justin Gray Jeremy Ingram Richard Joyce Jamaal Levy Chris Paul Cameron Stanley Trent Strickland Kyle Visser Eric Williams West Charlotte Recreation Center ( The Center ) The Miller Center Don t know Back home in Panama Central YMCA St. Augustine s in Raleigh In the hood, back home East Hills Athletic Club Any place there is a court Steak and potatoes Steak with fries Steak, mashed potatoes and salad Mashed potatoes, chicken or fish Ruth Cris steak and fries #1 at McDonald s (super-sized) Don t have a favorite Steak and mashed potatoes Steak Larry Bird Magic Johnson Larry Bird Shaquille O Neal None -- I put fan mail on my wall Muhammad Ali The ocean A flag of Panama All the different Wake Forest athletic teams Lisa Raye, Jennifer Lopez and Wake Forest Basketball Trent Strickland s dunk Mary Kate and Ashley Olson Japanese Anime Jay-Z (The Blueprint) Mase Maroon 5 Reggae music Lil Wayne (Tha Carter) Cassidy T.I. - Serious LFO Summer Girls Classical music Worldwide Wes Jerry Stackhouse Dave Mirra and Jay Haas Uncle Wes Lebron James Kobe Bryant Jonathon Salek Jermaine O Neal, Paul Pierce, Eric Snow and Malik Rose Professional basketball Owner of all the McDonald s in the world Stay-home dad Owning a house, raising a family Playing in the NBA Playing pro basketball Actor Country music artist Cartoonist If you can t be on time, be early. Don t think you are the greatest thing since Cheerios Freaking Nobody said that this was gonna be easy. You won t get sharp teeth eating oatmeal. Don t delay gratitude Lose the fro... now! Washington St. John s South Beach Community College The Panama National Team (at) Hawaii Connecticut UNLV Cornerstone University Miami Heat PLAYERS STAFF 2003-04 REVIEW OPPONENTS RECORDS HISTORY 51
2004-05 PREVIEW MEDIA INFO INTRODUCTION 2003-04 REVIEW STAFF PLAYERS HISTORY RECORDS OPPONENTS s Survey What the Deacons say about their teammates Who will be the first to get married? Jamaal Levy 4 Eric Williams 4* Vytas Danelius 2 Downey, Ingram 1* Who will be the last to get married? Jeremy Ingram 4 Trent Strickland 4* Kyle Visser 2 Chris Paul, Chris Ellis 1 Who would you want to get in a fight with the least? Eric Williams 3.5* Trent Strickland 3* Chris Ellis 2.5* Who is the best dresser on the team? Richard Joyce 4 Jeremy Ingram 3.5* Taron Downey 1.5* Which teammate studies the most? Kyle Visser 5 Vytas Danelius 4* Cameron Stanley 2 52 Who is the team s best golfer? Richard Joyce 10* Trent Strickland 1 Chris Ellis 1* Who has the strongest accent (southern, foreign, etc.)? Jamaal Levy 6 Vytas Danelius 5* Chris Ellis 1 Which teammate is most likely to get a technical foul? Vytas Danelius 5* Trent Strickland 3 Richard Joyce 2 Which teammate dominates the video games? Eric Williams 5* Trent Strickland 4 Chris Ellis 2* Justin Gray 1* * denotes cast a vote for himself Who talks the most about his high school days? Chris Ellis 7 Justin Gray 2 Cameron Stanley 1 Eric Williams 1 Which player could win on Jeopardy? Kyle Visser 6* Vytas Danelius 2 Ingram, Stanley, Levy 1 Who is the most likely to get a 4.0 this semester? Kyle Visser 6* Vytas Danelius 2 Danelius, Stanley, Paul Williams 1 Who is the team s best singer? Taron Downey 5* Jamaal Levy 2* Danelius, Visser, Gray 1 Chris Paul 1* Who is most likely to be a head coach one day? Taron Downey 5* Justin Gray 3 Levy, Ellis, Visser 1 Which teammate would love to be on a reality TV show? Chris Ellis 3.5 Trent Strickland 2 Stanley, Danelius, Ingram, Visser, Joyce 1 Who is the most competitive (hates losing the most)? Justin Gray 4* Chris Paul 2 Four players 1 What player will surprise the most people this season? Vytas Danelius 3* Kyle Visser 2.5 Cameron Stanley 2* Chris Ellis 2 Which teammate makes me laugh the hardest? Jamaal Levy 4.5 Taron Downey 3.5 Vytas Danelius 2* Trent Strickland, E 1 Who would win $1 million on Survivor? Eric Williams 7* Ingram, Strickland, Levy, Stanley, Ellis 1 Who will be most outof-shape when his career ends? Richard Joyce 5.5 Jeremy Ingram 2* Eric Williams 1.5 Jamaal Levy 1 Who could be trusted most around your girlfriend? Vytas Danelius 2* Levy, Strickland, Stanley Visser, Paul, Gray, Williams 1