Jan. 20, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest is set to defend its No. 1 ranking for the first time this season as the Demon Deacons host ACC-rival Virginia Tech on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The game, which will tip-off at 7 p.m., will be broadcast by ESPN2. The contest will also be available on the Wake Forest ISP Radio Network.

The Deacons (16-0, 3-0 ACC) enter the game as the only unbeaten team in the country. Wake Forest moved up to the No. 1 ranking in both the AP and the Coaches Polls this week. It marks the first time since November 2004 that the Deacons have enjoyed the top spot in the national polls.

Wake Forest is coming off a 78-68 win at No. 10/9-ranked Clemson last Saturday. In a battle of unbeatens, the Deacons came out on top by pulling away in the second half. Wake held Clemson to a season-low shooting percentage of 33.8 from the floor and 21.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Jeff Teague, who was named ACC Player of the Week for the second straight time on Monday, led the Deacs with 24 points and five assists.

Reigning ACC Rookie of the Week Al-Farouq Aminu posted his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Virginia Tech (12-5, 2-1 ACC) comes to town having won three straight and seven of their past eight games since mid-December. The Hokies are coming off a 79-71 defeat of Boston College last Saturday at home.

Quickie Notes
- Wake Forest is the only unbeaten team in the country. In five of the past six seasons, the last team in the country to lose a game has gone on to at least the Sweet 16. Three of those years the last unbeaten has advanced to the NCAA title game.
- Chris Paul (2003-04), Jeff Teague (2007-08) and Al-Farouq Aminu (2008-09) are the only Deacons in the past 10 seasons to win multiple ACC Rookie of the Week awards.

Next Up...
Wake Forest will have the upcoming weekend off before hosting No. 2-ranked Duke on Jan. 28 on ESPN. The Deacs will then hit the road for games at Georgia Tech (Jan. 31) and at Miami (Feb. 4).