ACC Previews- #2 Wake Forest

^{The 2003-2004 edition of Skip Prosser's Demon Deacons were one of the biggest surprises of the college basketball season. The Deacs were picked by most preseason publications to finish 5th or 6th in the ACC. However, Prosser led the Demon Deacons to a completely unexpected ACC regular season championship. However, Wakes season ended in disappointment with a 2nd round exit from the NCAA tournament courtesy of the unheralded Auburn Tigers.}

The bad news for Demon Deacon fans going into the 2003-2004 season is the loss of ACC Player of the Year, and NBA first round pick, Josh Howard. Howards 20 PPG and 8 RPG will be sorely missed. But his leadership on and off the court will probably be missed even more.

In spite of the loss of Howard to graduation, there is plenty of good news for the Demon Deacons.There are 7 players returning who averaged 12 MPG or better. Those returning players are lead by 6-8 junior Vytas Danelius (12.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG). Danelius is a versatile big man who can pop out and hit the perimeter jump shot, or battle inside for offensive putbacks. He will also be expected to help fill the leadership vaccum left by Howards departure & will likely challenge for All-ACC honors. Also, returning in the frontcourt will be 6-9 sophomore Eric Williams (8.7 PPG, 4.1 RP). Williams will need to focus on staying out of foul trouble and will also need to provide more help on the boards this year. He is big and strong and is a pure post player, but he needs to be able to stay on the floor in order for Wake to have their best chance to win. Jamaal Levy, a 6-8 long-armed junior should start at the other frontcourt spot. He averaged 7.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG. Look for those numbers to increase this year. Frontcourt depth should be provided by 6-5 sophomore Trent Strickland and 6-6 sophomore Chris Ellis.

The Wake Forest backcourt has the potential to be one of the strongest in the ACC this year. Last years starting point guard Taron Downey (10.2 PPG, 4.2 APG) returns and 6-2 sophomore Justin Gray (12.7 PPG, 3.5 APG) also returns. However, the big news in the Wake Forest backcourt is the addition of freshman Chris Paul, who was the nations top-rated PG in the high school senior class last season. It is very possible that Paul may end up starting at the point and Downey moving over to the wing guard position, with Gray providing a spark off the bench. Another freshman guard who could see limited minutes is 6-3 Jeremy Ingram.

Two other freshmen will be added to the Wake roster this season. Todd Hendley, a 6-8 forward, and 6-11 F/C Kyle Visser. Hendley could possibly provide some valuable reserve minutes, however, Visser is considered more of a project and is doubtful to see many quality minutes this season.

Skip Prosser has shown in 2 seasons at Wake Forest that he is going to be a force to be dealt with in the ACC, on the court, as well as on the recruiting trail. Last years team went 25-6 overall and 13-3 in the ACC. While the loss of Howard is huge, the 2003-2004 Wake team has the potential to, once again, challenge for league honors in the ACC. However, this time it will not be a surprise.