100% Cotten
Deacon Basketball a Big Deal

Oct. 27, 2008

by Stan Cotten

I can remember the feeling I had when I knew for sure that I was coming to Wake Forest. I was by myself at my home in Huntington, West Virginia, and it was early in the morning. After getting the call that solidified the deal I knew that it was big. I spoke to my father back in Knoxville to tell him the news. He sort of chuckled and simply said, "Wow!"

Indeed.

As basketball begins to bounce back into the fore I'm reminded of all of the things that Demon Deacon basketball has allowed me to do or experience. First I knew that the Deacons would be one of the favorites to make it to the Final Four in the season of 1996-97, my first in Winston-Salem. The Deacs were coming off back to back ACC titles, and Tim Duncan was primed for his senior season. Although Wake didn't make the Final Four with Duncan as a senior that first run for me through the ACC was top drawer. Fans packed arenas to see Duncan and the Deacons, and the thrill just to be along for the ride was something I'll never forget. And even though Wake's NCAA Tournament run ended earlier than we all wanted that season, I met Kevin Costner and toured Tombstone and the OK Corral as parting gifts. I had a feeling I was in for a ride. And I was right.

Since then there have been too many moments for this column to hold. And I'm sure I'll forget a few that are column-worthy. But here are some that stand out as I write, and these are in no way in any particular order. Some are about basketball, some are things experienced because of basketball. To me, though, they have helped make my job the best one I've ever had. And it's not even close.

- ACC basketball. If you're going to do basketball you might as well do it right. The tradition, the fans, the Tournament, Tobacco Road. To me, nothing else in college basketball measures up.

- Tim Duncan and Chris Paul. Two of the best players God ever gifted. Could one university have two better advocates? To know these two young men and to have watched and described their play has been a huge thrill.

- New York City. Both Dave Odom and Skip Prosser loved The City, and we made several trips there during their tenures. Dinger and I have a favorite deli now just behind the Marriott Marquis Hotel, we've been to a taping of The Late Show with David Letterman, and of course there's Madison Square Garden and the ride up from street level to the arena on the elephant elevator. Nothing can quite compare.

- Number one. The Deacs' stay on top of the rankings under Skip Prosser was short-lived, but it was pretty nice. It tasted good. That's the goal again, and I don't think there's any question that it's achievable again at Wake.

- Sharing a pregame press meal with John Thompson. He's really Big!

- Hawaii.

- Other destinations: Chicago, California, Texas, Washington, D.C., Colorado. Even Cleveland. You get the idea.

- Great food. Great hotels.

- Triple overtime wins at North Carolina rank right up there. Any win anywhere against Duke is enough to make one's day.

- The emergence of the Tie-Dye Nation. Gameday at The Joel really is something special. If you have to go to work it's hard to beat.

I really have only begun, and I'm already out of space. So I really haven't done this one justice. Maybe I'll continue next time around. But make no mistake. Wake Forest basketball is special, and I can't wait for another go. I ventured out to practice last week the day before leaving for Miami with the football Deacs. I was immediately struck at the size of this team. Adding biggies from the prep world Aminu, Woods and Walker didn't hurt.

Demon Deacon basketball really is a Big Deal.