ACC Preview: #10 Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Projected Starters
C-Kyle Visser 6'11 244 SR- 5.0ppg 4.3rpg 45%FG 66%FT
PF-Kevin Swinton 6'6 225 SO- 2.8ppg 3.5rpg 46%FG 40%FT
SF-Michael Drum 6'6 200 SR- 5.5ppg 1.9apg 41%FG 80%FT
SG-Anthony Gurley 6'3 195 FR- Top 35 recruit
PG-Ishmael Smith 6'0 175 FR- Top 75 recruit

Background
Is Skip Prosser on the hot seat? Wake performed wildly below expectations last season, finishing dead last in the ACC with talented players such as Justin Gray, Eric Williams and Trent Strickland. They finally came alive in the ACC tournament, but it was too little, too late for Prosser’s boys. Skip is looking forward to a top recruiting class entering school this season, led by top 30 prospect Anthony Gurley. It only gets better in 2007 with another top 10 recruiting class. Prosser should get this ship turned around in the next two years.

Premiere Players
Kyle Visser must improve his game for Wake Forest to have a shot at making the NIT. The rebounding, shot-blocking and defensive capabilities are there, but his offensive work around the basket is completely out of control. He lacks any touch to his shots and needs to start nailing jumpers from outside the three foot range and needs to expand his scoring options from just put-back dunks. Much like Sean Williams from Boston College, we’ll see how much Visser has worked over the summer to add a dimension of offense to his game. Michael Drum, scarily, is the teams leading returning scorer. His game pretty much involves standing behind the three-point line and waiting for a shot, open or not. Another example of a Wake player needing to expand his game from one strength. If Drum becomes more of an aggressive slasher and post threat, as well as a dynamite trigger from behind the arc, Wake will be much better off in 2006-07.

Role Players
I want to start with Anthony Gurley, who will shock the ACC with his amazing scoring abilities right from the first game, easily earning him all-ACC freshman honors by the end of the season. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor, specializing from outside the paint, but seems to effortlessly draw contact and find his way to the free throw line if the open shot is sealed. The 2-guard is a perfect place for Prosser to have Gurley. They can easily run some picks or screens and free him for open looks without worrying about him bringing up the ball. Instead, another freshman, Ishmael Smith, will don the point guard responsibilities. By mid-season, you’re going to think Smith is a senior the way he runs the offense. His court vision is impeccable and provides Wake with a true, stable point guard that will run the offense even better than Justin Gray could ever do. The bench for Wake is filled with small role players who can’t assume much responsibility, such as Shamaine Dukes, Harvey Hale and Cameron Stanley. They need to 1) get freshman David Weaver to prove he’s capable of minutes when Visser is in foul trouble and 2) utilize Jamie Skeen and L.D. Williams, two more freshman, in certain situations. Prosser will go through the motions trying to find the right substitutions and teams on the court at one time.

Final Thoughts
I have confidence in the freshmen-based backcourt for Wake this season. With Gurley and Smith gaining all of this valuable playing time in learning mode, and an excellent class for 07-08, Wake should be right back at the top of the ACC sooner than you expect. There are a lot of question marks, though, for this team to have any chance to contend right now. It all starts with the big man in the middle, Kyle Visser, who needs to reach into the hat and pull out 12.5 points a night, at least.

Schedule and Prediction
11/11 vs. James Madison- W
11/14 @ Bucknell- L
11/17 vs. Elon- W
11/21 vs. Vanderbilt- W
11/25 vs. Appalachian State- W
11/29 @ Air Force- W
12/2 vs. Georgia- W
12/13 @ DePaul- L
12/17 @ Virginia Tech- L
12/19 vs. Gardner-Webb- W
12/22 vs. Richmond- W
12/29 @ South Florida- W
1/2 vs. East Carolina- W
1/6 @ Miami- L
1/9 vs. Boston College-L
1/13 vs. NC State- W
1/18 @ Duke- L
1/21 @ Virginia- L
1/24 vs. North Carolina- L
1/27 @ Florida State- L
1/30 vs. Georgia Tech- W (upset city)
2/3 vs. Maryland- L
2/6 vs. Winston-Salem State- W
2/10 @ North Carolina- L
2/14 vs. Clemson- W
2/17 vs. Miami- W
2/21 @ Georgia Tech- L
2/28 @ NC State- L
3/3 vs. Virginia- L

Projected Record: 15-14 (4-12)