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Tampa subregional
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 21, 2003
1. DON'T PEEK AHEAD: The Demon Deacons can't afford to overlook anyone. They don't often get on long runs, so they rely on a consistently ferocious defense and relentless rebounding. Get complacent and defense and rebounding usually suffer.
2. GET JOSH GOING: ACC player of the year Josh Howard is coming off a poor shooting game (6-of-21) in a loss to North Carolina State. The Demon Deacons, a young team, need their star to start well and set a tone. He also likely will draw forward Zakee Wadood, so Howard needs to do it at both ends.
3. HANG ON TO THE BALL: The Demon Deacons' biggest flaw is their carelessness with the ball. They average more than 15 turnovers. Against a team with the defensive quickness of East Tennessee State (11.4 steals), they can't afford to give up possessions and, worse, fastbreak baskets.
4. KEEP ERIC IN THE GAME: Freshman center Eric Williams can be a force inside at 6 feet 9, 270 pounds. But he often finds himself sitting on the bench with fouls. He averages just 20 minutes and that won't do against ETSU's Jerald Fields.
5. SMOOTHER SMITH: East Tennessee State diminutive point guard, 5-9 Tim Smith, was the Southern Conference's freshman of the year and the league tournament MVP. He's quick and can shoot the 3, but what makes him especially tough is he gets into the lane and can hit the intermediate jumper. Wake Forest must limit those shots.