Lots of news and notes about the Deacs' matchup vs. Maryland tonight. Big home game for Wake obviously, and one that could have serious bubble consideration in the future.
Testudo Times - Conscripting for Testudo's Troops
Unfortunately, this team lacks the amazing interest level from last year without James Johnson and Jeff Teague, both of whom defected to league. Luckily, they return the funny smiling and BB-gun wielding Al-Farouq Aminu and the oversized Jon Scheyer that is Chas McFarland, so at least we'll have that.
Don't overlook Yellow Jackets The Post and Courier - Charleston SC newspaper
--Underclassmen Ed Davis (UNC), Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest) and Gani Lawal (Georgia Tech) all considered leaving early for the NBA, but all should be glad they stayed. The trio ranks 1-2-3 in the ACC in rebounding.
2010 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings - The Hoops Junkie
3. Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest) 6′9″ Sophomore, PF – I just wrote about him the other day and see him as 4 man who can cause mismatches with his quickness and ability to run the court.
No Time To Savor Victory—Terps Back in Action Tonight at Wake | Terp Talk - Maryland Sports
"(Aminu) is really versatile. He can go from the top of the circle and he’s a great offensive rebounder at the same time. So they’re especially good there." - Gary Williams
Conference Call: Struggling N.C. State faces crucial stretch - - College Basketball - Sporting News
4. Wake Forest
McDonald's FTs lift Wakefield over Enloe - High school - NewsObserver.com
The win came against an Enloe team (12-2, 3-1) that was playing without 6-foot-8 Wake Forest recruit Melvin Tabb, who was suspended for one game by coach Tommy Moore for "violating a team rule."
Gabby Greivis: Terps' Vasquez talks up a storm when on court
"He makes tough shots, he makes big plays, and he's in your ear the whole game," Williams said. "He's letting you know what he's doing every time he does something. "You have to shut him up early, to be honest with you, get a couple of early stops and take away his passing lanes -- because when he's able to create for others, it opens up the lane for himself.
Tracking the Terps: A look at ACC 'turnarounds' - Sun reporters blog about Maryland football and men's college basketball - baltimoresun.com
Answer: Maryland, Duke and Miami. Duke has a short turnaround when it plays at Boston College two days after hosting Georgia Tech early next month. Miami hosts Virginia Tech on Jan. 31 before playing at Wake Forest on Feb. 2. By the way, not only does Wake Forest not have a quick turnaround itself, but it benefits twice by teams coming to Winston-Salem, N.C., with abbreviated rest.
Basketball Game Notes - Wake Forest vs. Maryland - WAKE FOREST OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
Ironman Ishmael Smith Ishmael Smith ranks second in the ACC with 35.3 minutes per game this season. Smith has played all but four minutes of Wake's last three games, including 43 vs. Richmond, 49 vs. Xavier and 39 at Miami.
Brent LaRue Sets School Pole Vault Record On Opening Day Of 2010 Season - WAKE FOREST OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
CHAPEL HILL, NC - Senior Brent LaRue had himself a very good opening day of the 2010 track season, setting the school record in the pole vault and winning the 60m hurdles at the Eddie and Jo Jr. Tar Heel Invitational Friday.
My Take on Wake - Gaudio Waiting For Bigs to Come Up Big | JournalNow.com
"We’re going to look and see with what we got,‘’ Gaudio said. "I know this. I’m not going to stand pat and let post guys hurt us like that. If we have to make an adjustment, and change, we will.‘’
The Diamondback - Terps head to Wake Forest on short rest
"We’re trying to catch up with Wake Forest," Williams said Monday afternoon. "We have to do a really good job today of focusing in practice because it’s more mental. Obviously, we can’t do much physically today. And we have to really be good."
Maryland Terrapins keep to a tight schedule as ACC play begins in earnest - washingtonpost.com
"It's a tough deal, but I think most coaches in our conference, if you have to play with a one-day turnaround you would rather play on the road first and at home second, but here we are and we have to handle it," Gary Williams said. "There's no excuses by the time we get to Wake Forest."
Maryland vs. Wake Forest: Who's the biggest loser? | Washington Examiner
"Wake Forest is different this year but they're still very good, very big," said Williams. "They're probably quicker. With (Ishmael) Smith at the point, even though (Jeff) Teague is an NBA player, there is nobody quicker than Smith, foul line to foul line."
Scout.com: Mount Vernon Guard Having A Terrific Season
Several schools have already showed interest in the junior prospect. Among them: Wake Forest, Oklahoma, Louisville, St. Francis, James Madison, St. John's, Seton Hall, South Carolina, UNLV, and Virginia.
Some ACC top recruits are off to a slow start - CharlotteObserver.com
Coach Dino Gaudio said he hasn't lost any confidence in the senior. "A lesson to be learned with this kid is, he's not a real good free throw shooter, but he makes big free throws," Gaudio said. "And the other thing about him is, if he misses 10 straight free throws, it has absolutely no effect on the rest of his game. He guards, he continues to rebound, he'll continue to run the offense. He doesn't dip his head and I just think that's a basketball maturation thing."
Terrapins Insider - Scouting Wake Forest
On the bright side, sophomore forward Al-Farouq Aminu (6-foot-9, 215 lbs.) is developing into one of the premiere players in the conference. Aminu is averaging 16.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He also has tallied 18 blocks and 19 steals. "He's learned to become a better practice player, and I think that's why he's having the success that he's having," Gaudio said. "He's really bought into the work ethic and what it takes."
Bracketology 101: Bracketology 101's Field of 65 - Jan. 11
ACC - Duke, North Carolina, Clemson, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Miami (FL)
Around the Horn with ... Tripp Doherty, St. John's Prep basketball - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
Who is going to win Feb. 17, St. John's or Central? That's the big debate Carson (Desrosiers, the Central great headed to Wake Forest) and I have every time. He's my best friend. He was on the New Hampshire Knicks and I was on the Rivals (AAU team). He finally came over to the good guys freshman year. We've been close ever since. Do you have any college plans? I'm not sure Wake needs a slow, white shooter! I'd be happy to be a package deal with Carson. My first choice is Boston College. My grandfather went there and my sister is there. That and Villanova.