by Adam Smith, Times-News, Burlington, N.C. , Times-News

Updated: November 27, 2008, 7:50 PM EST

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It figures to be a step up in competition and thus a revealing trip for the Demon Deacons, who have overwhelmed three in-state opponents of lesser caliber by an average margin of 36.3 points.

"We're more worried about playing our game and doing what we have to do to get wins for us," forward James Johnson said. "But whenever we have the opportunity to play different teams, we'll take it. That helps us out for further down the road." Saint Mary's and Texas-El Paso reside on the same side of Wake Forest's bracket in the Anaheim tournament that's called the 76 Classic. The other side of the field includes No. 14 Arizona State, Charlotte, Providence and Baylor.

Technically, Wake Forest and Arizona State, under the direction of former North Carolina State coach Herb Sendek, are the only ranked teams in the event. Saint Mary's and Baylor, though, comprise two of the first three teams receiving votes just outside the Top 25.

"We know what kind of coach Herb Sendek is," Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio said. "It's a terrific field. Someone said six of the eight teams will be in the NCAA Tournament, and that might happen. I just hope we're one of them.

"It's going to be a learning experience and we've just got to continue to understand what makes us good -- sharing the ball, playing good defense and rebounding the ball." Gaudio fumed at halftime three nights ago, after Wake Forest had committed 18 turnovers and missed 13 of 20 shots from the field while limping out to a 21-14 lead against Winston-Salem State.

"As angry as I was at halftime, when I walked in there, it was a good locker room," Gaudio said. "They're talking to one another about, 'Hey, we've got to pick this up.' Sometimes you walk in there and kids are bickering at one another and that wasn't the case at all.

"Then I thought the second half was more Wake Forest." What ensued in the final 20 minutes was a 41-17 blitzing during which the Demon Deacons shot 68.2 percent from the floor and were credited with 11 assists on 15 field goals.

Less than a week prior to beating Winston-Salem State 62-31, Wake Forest piled up 120 points in an offensive explosion against UNC Wilmington.

So Johnson was asked to assess the meaning behind the Demon Deacons' ability to register back-to-back victories with such drastic differences in pace and flow.

"It means our team's good enough to do it either way," Johnson said.

Johnson grew up in Oceanside, Calif., before moving to Cheyenne, Wyo., and finishing high school. He said he's anticipating a group of family and friends to attend the games in Anaheim and ROOT for Wake Forest. Demon Deacons guard Harvey Hale, who's from Albuquerque, N.M., said some of his family members should be on hand for today's Thanksgiving afternoon game.

The tournament environment also could become beneficial for Wake Forest's chemistry, especially with speedy guard Ishmael Smith returning from September foot surgery. Smith played 11 minutes in his season debut against Winston-Salem State.

"Not only does he have to play, we've got to get used to playing with that little guy, too," Gaudio said. "Because we know how he comes down the lane and throws some of those rocket passes that those big guys have got to get ready to catch."

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