Nov. 13, 2008

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - No. 21-ranked Wake Forest will open its 103rd season of basketball against North Carolina Central on Friday, Nov. 14. The Demon Deacons and Eagles are set to tip-off at 7 p.m. at Lawrence Joel Coliseum.

Ranked in the preseason national polls for the first time since 2005, Wake Forest faces heightened expectations after returning almost its entire squad from last season and welcoming in one of the top freshmen classes in the nation. The Deacons are ranked No. 21 in the preseason AP Poll and No. 24 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.

Wake is coming off a 97-62 defeat of NCAA Division II foe Mount Olive in the Deacons' only exhibition contest of the season on Thursday, Nov. 6. L.D. Williams led Wake Forest with 22 points, while Al-Farouq Aminu posted a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds. Jeff Teague dished out 12 assists on the night.

North Carolina Central will also be playing its 2008-09 season opener on Friday. The Eagles are in their second season at the NCAA Division I level and are coming off a 4-26 campaign in 2007-08. NCCU returns seven letterwinners, including three starters, from that team.

Wake Forest and N.C. Central have met just once previously with the Deacons taking a 75-58 victory on Nov. 19, 2007, in Winston-Salem.

Quickie Notes
- The Deacons are ranked in the preseason polls for the first time since 2005. Wake is No. 21 in the AP Poll and No. 24 in the Coaches Poll.
- Wake Forest has won 14 straight season openers since 1994-95. The Deacs have not lost a season opener at home since 1971-72.
- Wake has won 44 straight home games against non-conference in-state opponents, which includes a perfect 37-0 mark at Joel Coliseum.

Next Up...
Wake Forest will host in-state foe UNC Wilmington on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. The Deacs have never lost to the Seahawks in 10 all-time meetings, and the two schools have not met on the hardwood since 2001-02. Wake will then host city rival Winston-Salem State on Nov. 24.