Feb. 27, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - No. 13/14-ranked Wake Forest will have a short two-day turnaround before its next game when the Demon Deacons play at Virginia on Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville. The game, which will tip-off at 2 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena, will be televised by Raycom. The contest will also be available on the Wake Forest ISP Radio Network.

The Demon Deacons (21-5, 8-5 ACC) are coming off an 85-78 defeat of rival NC State on Thursday evening in Winston-Salem. James Johnson posted career-highs of 28 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Deacs. Johnson went 12-for-16 from the floor and came within two rebounds of Tim Duncan's Joel Coliseum record.

Ishmael Smith scored 18 points and hit a pair of three-pointers off the bench, while Chas McFarland tallied 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

Virginia comes in to Saturday's matchup at 9-15 overall and 3-10 in the ACC. The Cavaliers are coming off a 62-55 loss to Miami on Thursday in Charlottesville. UVA had won two of its past three prior to the loss to the Hurricanes.

Wake Forest leads the all-time series with Virginia 65-59. The Deacons have won four of the past six meetings since 2004-05, including an 80-64 defeat of the Cavaliers last season in Winston-Salem. This will be Wake's second-ever game played at John Paul Jones Arena.

Quickie Notes
- Wake Forest is shooting 50.0 percent from the field this season. The Deacons have not shot 50 percent or better since the advent of the three-point line.
- This past week, Jeff Teague was named a mid-season candidate for the Naismith Trophy and a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy.

Next Up...
Wake Forest will have another quick turnaround before playing at Maryland on Tuesday, March 3, at 9 p.m. It will be the Deacons' third game in six days. Wake Forest wraps up regular season play at home against Clemson on Sunday, March 8.