Skip Prosser would be proud, watching the Wake Forest team these days. Prosser lost his life so prematurely, and he meant so much to the school, the program, the ACC and the entire basketball fraternity. He would be thrilled with the job Dino Gaudio has done coaching this squad.

Look at the performance of the Demon Deacons against a Duke team that came into Lawrence Joel Coliseum with an unblemished ACC mark. Their two diaper dandies, Jeff Teague and James Johnson, receive little publicity but they came through big time, showing explosiveness in combining for 50 points in the 86-73 stunner over the Blue Devils.

This is a young team – Gaudio started two freshmen and three sophomores against Duke. Wake has balance as six players average between 8-15 ppg. There is a super recruiting class coming in next season, so the future is very, very bright.

Think about the resume Wake Forest is putting together. Remember, many experts pegged the Demon Deacons to finish near or at the bottom of the ACC standings. Instead Gaudio's group is 16-8, 6-5 in conference play, including the big win over Duke. There is also an impressive 17-point triumph against the best team in the Mountain West, BYU. It is quite an accomplishment for this young squad to be in the upper echelon of the conference.

Wake Forest is playing with a lot of emotion and passion. It helps to be 14-1 at home and currently on a three-game win streak overall. Imagine if the Demon Deacons had pulled out wins in several close calls. There were six defeats by seven points or less – NC State (two points), Vanderbilt (three), Charlotte (four), Clemson (five in OT), Georgia Tech (six) and Maryland (seven). If a couple of those had turned, Gaudio would have a lock-city team for the big dance.

The ACC race is still Duke and North Carolina up top, but Wake Forest is in contention with Clemson and Maryland for a high seed in the conference tournament. The Demon Deacons will be tested down the stretch, starting this weekend at Chapel Hill against the Tar Heels. After that, games against Maryland, at Georgia Tech, at Virginia Tech and NC State will help determine if Wake Forest is a legitimate contender for a slot in the big dance. The win over Duke put the Demon Deacons into the discussion.

I am so happy that the ACC will honor the memory of Skip with an award given to a student-athlete with similar characteristics as the former Wake Forest coach – class and dignity. He was such a vital part of this program. These kids are playing with such intensity and feeling.

The Wake Forest story is a great one. Coach Gaudio and company have a lot to be proud of.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.