Al-Farouq Aminu News

Gonzaga's Steven Gray drives through Wake Forest's Al-Farouq Aminu, left, and C.J. Harris during the second half Saturday.

The ACC meets the West Coast Conference this evening, as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons make their way to the Pacific Northwest to tangle with the 17th-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs in Spokane.

Bring'em Out: Wake Forest vs. No. 17 Gonzaga at the McCarthey Athletic Center at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

Over the first six games of the college-basketball season, Wake Forest has appeared far more rough-hewn than one might expect from a team with three seniors -- Ish Smith, L.D. Williams and Chas McFarland -- who have 221 career starts among them.

Never mind that Purdue's men's basketball team is undefeated. The Boilermakers would like to keep their record unblemished for another reason.

The usual strong defense from a veteran Purdue squad has helped the team to its highest ranking in almost 14 years.

Wake Forest, coming off a home loss to William & Mary on Saturday night, faces a double dose of road games against nationally ranked opponents this week.

David Schneider had 16 points, including sinking seven free throws in the final 35 seconds, and William & Mary held on to beat Wake Forest 78-68 on Saturday night.

Wake Forest's basketball season is getting ready to get harder in a hurry. The only question is whether the Deacs' first stiff test will come at home today against William & Mary or Tuesday at Purdue.

North Carolina point guard Larry Drew has done a remarkable job replacing Ty Lawson, showing poise and leadership.

After a less-than-rousing start to his senior season, guard Ish Smith of Wake Forest got it together last night in time to take Winston-Salem State apart in the final game of the Twin City Shootout.

Published: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 10:40 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 10:40 p.m. WINSTON-SALEM Ishmael Smith and C.J. Harris scored 16 points apiece to help Wake Forest cruised to 76-52 win over Winston-Salem State on Tuesday night.

Oklahoma City native Xavier Henry hit five 3-pointers and had 27 points to set a freshman record for the Jayhawks.

Superfreshman Derrick Favors could be the ACCs best big man; he and G DAndre Bell -- out last season with a back injury -- key a revival.

Almost all the eyes in Joel Coliseum followed the ball. Late in the first half of Wake Forest's 83-60 win over High Point on Wednesday night, the Deacons' Ari Stewart fired a jumper from the left corner.

Al-Farouq Aminu had 22 points and 10 rebounds to help Wake Forest pull away early in the second half and beat High Point 83-60 on Wednesday night.

Pep talks from his coach and his team's star played a part in pumping more assertiveness into Wake Forest big man Tony Woods.

There should be no mistaking the identity that Wake Forest wants to develop during the 2009-10 basketball season, which will start with tonight's home game against Oral Roberts.

Al-Farouq Aminu scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to an 89-58 win over the East Carolina Pirates in a non-conference bout at Greensboro Coliseum.

About 10 days into North Carolina's practices, coach Roy Williams said freshman John Henson, a 6-foot-9 small forward, had attempted more 3-pointers than 6-2 point guard Larry Drew II.