Deacons show off young talentl stop Temple.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. _ While trumpets are already blaring the arrival of the new generation of freshmen stars at Duke and North Carolina, perhaps a bullhorn's low growl befits the emergence of Wake Forest's rugged newcomer Eric Williams.

With calves as thick as Virginia hams and a muscular knack around the basket, Williams _ a 6-foot-9, 270-pounder from the real town of Wake Forest _ is the centerpiece of a five-man freshman class that is helping second-year coach Skip Prosser reconfigure the Deacons' basketball program.

Williams had 19 points and 10 rebounds Sunday to help the Deacons defeat Temple 83-76 at Joel Coliseum, providing the thunder to the lightning provided by Josh Howard (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Vytas Danelius (14 points, 14 rebounds).

"(North Carolina freshman) Sean May said (UNC) is a young team but you're going to have to look out for us. I want people to see the same thing from us," said Williams, a McDonald's All-American last season at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School.

Against 0-2 Temple, the 2-0 Deacons were able to take advantage of the Owls' weakness inside, where two of their three freshmen starters play. By flashing Howard into the middle of Temple's renowned match-up zone, the Deacons were able to create openings for Williams and Danelius.

"All three (Temple big men) were nothing but ushers in a theater asking people where they'd like ...