DATE: Thursday, November 20, 1997           TAG: 9711200651

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   44 lines

3 RECRUITS GIVE WAKE EARLY EDGE DEACONS LAND 2 GUARDS AND A FORWARD DURING EARLY-SIGNING PERIOD.

Tim Duncan was leaving for the NBA and Wake Forest fans had to wonder if coach Dave Odom might be leaving, too.

Every year it seems Odom gets at least one offer most people think he can't refuse. Last year the offer came from Georgia, which put Odom at the top of its list after Tubby Smith left to replace Rick Pitino at Kentucky.

One reason Odom might have been tempted was that Duncan had finished his eligibility and Odom was facing a major rebuilding job at Wake Forest.

But Odom remained at Wake Forest. And he keeps coming up with the talent to compete against his higher-profile neighbors, as evidenced again by his recruiting success in the early-signing period that ended Wednesday.

Recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons said the three players signed by Odom give the Deacons an early edge over other ACC teams.

Recruiter's Handbook rated Wake Forest's recruiting class last year as fifth-best in the nation.

Signing early with the Deacons were 6-5 guard Craig Dawson, 6-8 forward Antwan Scott, and 6-1 point guard Broderick Hicks.

The Tar Heels awarded their two scholarships to 6-8 Jason Capel and 6-10 Kris Lang, both highly ranked by recruiting analysts. Gibbons says Capel may be the most complete player at his position coming out of high school, and Recruiter's Handbook rates Capel as the fifth-best player in the nation.

Duke landed small forward Corey Maggette of Oak Park, Ill. Analyst Thad Mumau rates Maggette the No. 1 prep player in the nation and Recruiter's Handbook ranks him fourth. Maggette (rhymes with spaghetti) averaged 23.7 points and 10 rebounds as a junior.

Virginia avoided being shutout in the early period by signing two perimeter players. While neither are on most top-100 lists, Gibbons said he thought they were ``very good catches for Virginia.''

The Cavaliers also may get Hampton's Ronald Curry, who Gibbons rates the No. 1 point guard in the nation. Curry said two months ago he would attend Virginia on a football scholarship and also play basketball.

However, Curry has said if he decides to play only basketball in college that he would consider North Carolina. The national football signing period is Feb. 4 to April 1, and the spring basketball signing period is April 8 to May 15.

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