Prosser leads young Demon Deacons to Bahamas

Basketball Betting Lines

08/31/2006 -

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -With 11 freshmen and sophomores, Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser will undoubtedly get frustrated at times this season.

But putting the team through 10 practices in preparation for this weekend's exhibition games in the Bahamas has put Prosser in a good mood.

``They're really like sponges right now,'' Prosser said. ``They really want to learn and they listen. When something is new, that's good. When you coach somebody for four years, things get redundant for them. I've enjoyed it so far.''

The Demon Deacons, coming off a disappointing 17-17 season and a 3-13 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference, have to replace their top four scorers: Justin Gray, Eric Williams, Trent Strickland and Chris Ellis.

So Prosser took advantage of a rule that allows teams to schedule offseason foreign trips once every four years. Wake will play two games against professional teams from the Bahamas on Saturday and Sunday.

``I want to develop good team chemistry and camaraderie,'' Prosser said. ``We have to get back to playing Wake Forest basketball, which is more of an attacking style. Usually the team that gets the most easy baskets wins and last year we didn't get enough easy baskets.''

The big problem for the Deacons last year was point guard. Gray struggled to replace Chris Paul, who left for the NBA after his sophomore season. Prosser will take a long look this weekend at 5-foot-11, 155-pound Ishmael Smith, a freshman from Concord.

``He's not really that much shorter than Chris (Paul),'' Prosser said. ``He's more slight. But if you remember, when Chris got here as a freshman, he looked like a high school freshman. Chris really bulked up.

``I've been pleased with him. At this point he's going too fast. But I'd much rather have a guy that you have to slow back than have to speed up.''

Prosser said no decisions will be made on redshirting any freshmen - including 7-footer Chas McFarland - until November. But the two games this weekend could help shape the starting lineup.

``In terms of a starting position, there's not one guy that I could write down their name in ink. Maybe a few guys in pencil, but only so I could erase it quickly,'' Prosser said. ``We'll have a much better understanding of what we have and what players can do.''

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Jbscasino Basketball Betting News

<< Charges dropped against Benny the Bull
HELENA, Mont. (AP) -Charges against the Chicago Bulls' mascot for allegedly attacking an off-duty police officer during an outdoor festival in Chicago have been dropped.Bulls officials said charges of misdemeanor battery and driving within a parkway

<< Welcome back Nellie: Coach plans to make Warriors win again
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -Don Nelson relaxed in Maui, opened a bar in Dallas and just couldn't get comfortable in his cushy life after basketball.The NBA's second-winningest coach simply had to get on the sideline again - and the Golden State Warriors w

<< Girardi rejoins Marlins after missing game
ST. LOUIS (AP) -Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi returned to the club Wednesday after missing Tuesday's game to be with his pregnant wife and wait out bad weather from Tropical Storm Ernesto.The Marlins, under bench coach Gary Tuck, scored a 9-1

<< Seattle RHP Soriano released from hospital
SEATTLE (AP) -Seattle Mariners reliever Rafael Soriano was released from the hospital Wednesday, less than 24 hours after being hit in the head by a line drive.Doctors said the right-hander sustained a mild concussion when Los Angeles Angels slugger

<< A look at QBs and controversies - or lack there of - in the Pac-10
Now that Matt Leinart has taken the Hollywood glitz to the Arizona Cardinals and Mr. Dependable Kellen Clemens has landed with the New York Jets, up comes a new class of quarterbacks in the pass-happy Pacific-10 Conference.Here's a look:Sixth-ranked

Ortiz released from hospital, Lester tested for enlarged lymph nodes >>
BOSTON (AP) -Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was released from the hospital Thursday while pitcher Jon Lester is being tested for enlarged lymph nodes - the latest setback for a team riddled with injuries.Ortiz was evaluated for heart palpitations at Ma

Fantasy Baseball: Lessons learned from this year's fantasy draft >>
Losing fantasy owners: Aren't you glad you got A-Rod with the first or second overall pick?It's not your fault. Every fantasy expert said you were a moron if you didn't draft Alex Rodriguez there.He was part of the ``Big 2'' this past March. He and

Suns sign forward Jumaine Jones >>
PHOENIX (AP) -Jumaine Jones signed a one-year contract Thursday with the Phoenix Suns, who added an outside shooting threat to their roster.The 6-foot-8 forward, a seven-year veteran, will be going to his sixth NBA team. He averaged a career-best 10

Rivera's MRI exam shows mild muscle strain >>
NEW YORK (AP) -There was a huge sigh of relief among the New York Yankees on Thursday when results of an MRI exam on reliever Mariano Rivera's right arm showed only a mild muscle strain at the elbow but no structural damage.And then, as if to celebr

Cabrera out of lineup a day after being hit by pitch >>
ST. LOUIS (AP) -Miguel Cabrera was not in the Florida Marlins' lineup on Thursday night, a day after being hit by a pitch on his left triceps.``He's got a big bruise,'' manager Joe Girardi said. ``Obviously, he's not good enough to play, and we'll j

Since the late 1990's, MySportsbook.com has been an online sportsbook / poker room / casino that focuses on quality.. MySportsbook caters to the experienced sports fan who values reliability and accuracy, with great attention to detail. MySportsbook's success over the past 3 years has made them the envy of the sports gambling industry. There are hundreds of sites appearing all over the Internet claiming to be the next best sportsbook online, each one is trying to use the same marketing techniques as MySportsbook originated.

If you want to try the most stylish and reliable type of online sportsbook, go with MySportsbook. Most online sportsbooks give you live odds and plenty of games and events to bet on, at MySportsbook they'll give you that and more. While perfection may be a lofty goal, MySportsbook attempts to achieve that goal. All sorts of ways to bet on football, football betting, Super Bowl betting lines.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football sportsbook needs.