Lots of links today, especially on our commits. I'm also stoked because I'm heading to the Cavs-Hawks game tonight with a credential in hand and hopefully will get a chance to catch up with Jeff Teague. On the current Wake front, the women's basketball team is taking on Valpo and we are still looking towards the showdown against Richmond tomorrow.

Le'go link it up.

Scout.com: WFU Hoops Update: 12/28
"I'm happy," coach Dino Gaudio said after the victory against N.C. State. "We're 1-0, sitting on top of the ACC. ... We'll take that."

My Take on Wake - Lighting a Fire Under McFarland | JournalNow.com
Gaudio made the move to light a fire under McFarland, and said so after the game. He’s trying to re-ignite that pilot light on the competitive fire that has allowed McFarland—considered a project when he arrived as a freshman—to start 66 games for an ACC team. The Deacons don’t need huge production from McFarland to have a good year, but they need more than they’ve gotten to date.

Valparaiso (3-7) vs. Wake Forest (8-4) :: Sports :: Post-Tribune
Wake Forest, tonight's opponent, has dropped four of six games, including a 63-62 decision to tourney host San Diego State. Brittany Waters (16.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg) leads Wake along with Secily Ray (10.5 ppg), who scored 24 vs. SDSU. Wake forces 22.8 turnovers a game but shoots just 34 percent. VU had a season-low six turnovers Monday. Valparaiso beat visiting Wake by 28 in 2001 in their only previous meeting.

Red reign - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
As the looming presence of Desrosiers (16 boards, 8 blocks and 4 assists to go with 15 points) and Zenevitch affected Andover's inside game and poor outside shooting couldn't break up the logjam, Central went to town.

Double Trouble: Central's towering duo forces to be reckoned with - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
The perimeter-oriented Desrosiers struggled mightily out of the gate (2-for-10 shooting) but once he replaced his missing contact (he had been poked in the eye) his unmatched skill set was on display for the 2,400 fans to marvel at. Defense: 8 blocks and as many intimidations. Rebounding: 16 boards Floor game: 4 assists and one of the smoothest floor games that you'll ever see out of a high schooler his size Offense: 15 points.

News: Be Their Guest - Inside Higher Ed
"They don’t choose young women who -- I hate to use this term -- aren’t attractive," Earl Smith, a professor of sociology at Wake Forest University, who interviewed student athletes about recruiting tactics for his book, Race, Sport & the American Dream. "There’s sex, or at least the appearance of sex." Recruits at various institutions, Smith said, "have told me they go out to dinner, these ladies accompany them to dinner and then they hook up."

ACC rookies struggle in NBA - Sports - NewsObserver.com
It's also becoming clear that several of those players - Wake Forest's Jeff Teague and James Johnson, North Carolina's Wayne Ellington and Duke's Gerald Henderson - could have used another season of college ball.

High school boys basketball - Central Catholic 59, Andover 44 - The Boston Globe - Boston.com
Central Catholic extended its undefeated streak with a commanding win over Andover. The Raiders (5-0) were led by Jimmy Zenevitch's 21 points and 10 rebounds. Carson Desrosiers added 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 blocks.

Blogging with Bryan C. Hanks : Kinston Free Press
Enloe, coached by former Glaxo champion Tommy Moore, was paced by Emanuel Chapman with 17 points and Melvin Tabb with 11.

Justice prevails - Sports - Progress-Index
That would only last so long as the future Demon Deacon at Wake Forest next year erupted scoring 11 points in the second quarter. For the game, McKie had eight dunks for the game. "Travis McKie is just on another level than the rest of us," Russell said.

High School Sports " Just in from the XMas tourney finals
4. Carson’s impact might have been more subtle than usual, he didn’t have a great shooting night, but the kid just changes so many shots. Took over on defense when the Raiders landed the kill shot.