2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Basketball Preview

2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Basketball Predictions

Last season, Wake Forest was the ACC’s cellar dweller. Will they find themselves in the same position this season, show modest improvement or become competitive within their conference? The answer may be in this fact—the Demon Deacons have lost three important scoring threats—guard Justin Gray (18.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.3 APG), swingman Trent Strickland (11.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG), and center Eric Williams (16.3 PPG, 8.9 RPG).

At point guard, Wake Forest looks to start the speedy freshman Ishmael Smith. Freshman Anthony Gurley will see action in the shooting position. Sophomore Harvey Hale (5.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 35.2 FG%, 77.2 FT%), who filled in at the point last season, brings experience and fine defense to the backcourt.

Center Kyle Visser (5.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 45.3 FG%, 65.6 FT%), a senior, has logged the most minutes of anyone on the team but has not developed as had been hoped. Senior forward Michael Drum (5,5 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 40.6 FG%, 79.7 FT%) returns to provide much needed stability and solid play. Sophomore Cameron Stanley (2.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.5 APG, 47.4 FG%, 65.2 FT%), who has recovered from a knee injury, looked promising late last season. He can drive, shoot from the outside and defend. This will be a make or break year for Stanley as Wake Forest is looking for even more from him this year. Freshman Jamie Skeen will see plenty of action at both forward positions. He’s the best of all of this year’s recruits.

Coach Skip Prosser (111- 52) enters his sixth year with a team that will need a whole lot of coaching. Prosser, a fine mentor, appears to be optimistic about his freshmen and expects great things from them this year. That’s unlikely, especially in a conference as competitive as the ACC.

This is a team with two seniors. The rest of its players are either sophomores or freshmen. That translates into a long season of player development. A ninth place finish would be a great achievement for this young team. Anything better seems highly unlikely.

If you want more info on the 2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons College basketball team check out the NCAA's official basketball team page of the program or check out some rival previews from Maddux Sports of schools like the Miami Hurricanes and Clemson Tigers.