Gaudio will probably use two different lineups to match up against either a small or big team. When he needs three guards he'll look towards Teague, Smith, and Williams with sophomore Gary Clark and the lone contributing senior Harvey Hale backing them up.
Hale can be used in late game situations to spell the poor free throw shooter Smith in late game situations. The senior shoots over 80-percent from the line, but his turnover percentage is just 13-percent which is only half of Smith's turnover percentage. He's the ideal, experienced guard to have on the court when the game is on the line.
In the smaller lineup, James Johnson and the seven foot junior Chas McFarland will start. The three freshmen Al-Farouq Aminu, Ty Walker, and Tony Woods will back the two of them up. Junior Jamie Skeen averaged 5.6 points per game in 2008 and will also add depth to the Deacon frontcourt.
Coach Gaudio's three centers McFarland, Walker, and Woods are all more defensive inclined and aren't too polished offensively. McFarland does contribute on the offensive boards, leading the team and finishing ninth in the league in offensive rebounding percentage. He grabs one out of every nine misses when he's on the floor.
2008 Season Forecast:
Dino Gaudio doesn't challenge his young team too hard, but there are several notable games in the non-conference schedule. WF plays in the 76 Classic and could tip off with St. Mary's in the second round and face any one of four potential NCAA Tournaments in Arizona State, Baylor, Charlotte, and Providence in the third round.
ACC play will be tougher, but can build momentum early in its schedule with home games against Duke and North Carolina during Wake's first five ACC games.
Wake Forest will make the second round of the NCAA Tournament and has a solid chance of going to the Sweet 16.
Best Case Scenario:
All three incoming freshmen play to their five star potential while James Johnson and Jeff Teague progress well after stellar freshman seasons. Wake Forest can make the Elite Eight if things click.
Worst Case Scenario:
One or more of the freshmen are busts and teams figure out either Johnson or Teague. Wake struggles to win more than nine games in the ACC and get bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
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