Wake Forest's Ishmael Smith and Team Transform Under Dino Gaudio's Leadership

Despite a devastating 37-point loss to UNC two years ago, Wake Forest guard Ishmael Smith has remembered the words of late coach Skip Prosser, who told him to remember the pain and use it as motivation to not let it happen again. Under new coach Dino Gaudio, the Demon Deacons have transformed into one of the nation's top teams, boasting a 13-0 start and a strong defense. Gaudio has credited Prosser's former assistant Dick Bennett's system for their success, which includes holding opponents to 36.4% shooting and 28.2% on three-pointers.

Key Takeaways:

• The Demon Deacons have held opponents to a remarkable 36.4% shooting percentage, ranking seventh-best in Division I, and 28.2% on three-pointers.
• The team has averaged 85.2 points per game, making them one of the nation's highest-scoring teams.
• Wake Forest's imposing front line features six players 6-9 or taller, with sophomores James Johnson and Al-Farouq Aminu averaging 13.5 and 13 points, respectively.
• Freshman point guard Jeff Teague leads the team with a 19.6-point average, citing Coach Prosser's words as motivation for the team's up-tempo style and defense.
• The Demon Deacons have shown remarkable resilience, persevering through the loss of Coach Prosser and maintaining their bond and chemistry as a team.

Statistics:

• Wake Forest's 13-0 start is one of the best in the nation.
• The team's 36.4% shooting defense is the seventh-best in Division I.
• The Demon Deacons' 28.2% three-point defense is among the best in the nation.
• Jeff Teague's 19.6-point average leads the team as a freshman.
• Wake Forest's 85.2 points per game average ranks among the highest in the nation.

Sources:

• George Frey, AP (no date)
• Ishmael Smith, Wake Forest basketball player (as quoted in the article)
• Jeff Teague, Wake Forest basketball player (as quoted in the article)
• Dino Gaudio, Wake Forest basketball coach (as quoted in the article)