Wake Forest Aims for Back-to-Back Wins

Wake Forest is set to face SMU on Tuesday night in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with the goal of securing its first back-to-back wins in over a month. The Demon Deacons (11-7, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) recently came away with a close road victory against Florida State, where Nate Calmese hit a game-winning mid-range shot with six seconds remaining to give them a 69-68 win.

This marks the second time this season that Calmese has been the hero for Wake Forest in an ACC game. In both instances, he scored the final points of the contest, showcasing his clutch ability under pressure. The win was not just about Calmese’s shooting but also about the team’s defensive efforts. Juke Harris played a key role in the final moments by forcing a missed shot from Florida State’s Martin Somerville.

Coach Steve Forbes praised the team’s defensive performance, noting that they turned defense into offense effectively. “We outscored Florida State 16-3 on possessions that started with a live-ball turnover,” he said. The Demon Deacons were able to score 18 points off 16 turnovers committed by the Seminoles.

Opponents have averaged 15.6 turnovers per game against Wake Forest this season, which ranks tied for 16th best in the country. Additionally, the Demon Deacons are ranked 19th in steals, averaging 9.5 per game. Five players on the team have recorded 20 or more steals this season.

One of those players is Juke Harris, who leads the team in scoring with an average of 20.1 points per game. His ability to create opportunities on both ends of the floor could be a challenge for SMU, which averages 11.7 turnovers per game.

SMU’s Strengths and Challenges

Despite their struggles with ball security, SMU has some strengths that could prove problematic for Wake Forest. The Mustangs rank fifth in the ACC in offensive rebounds, grabbing an average of 12.4 per game. This could be a significant factor, as Wake Forest has struggled defensively on the glass, ranking 307th in defensive rebounds per game at 22.83.

Samet Yigitoglu, who averages 3.2 offensive rebounds per game, is a key player for SMU. He also scores 11.0 points per game. However, SMU coach Andy Enfield expressed concerns about Yigitoglu’s efficiency, especially after his 3-for-11 shooting performance against Virginia.

“Without pressure on our guards, it’s very demoralizing when you’re missing 6-inch shots, 1-foot shots and 2-foot shots,” Enfield said. “He has to make more of those and finish better.”

Boopie Miller, who was a starter for Wake Forest last season, leads SMU in scoring with 20.3 points per game and also averages an ACC-leading 6.8 assists per game. His playmaking ability will be crucial for SMU’s success.

No Injuries Reported

According to the ACC availability report, neither team has any injuries reported, which means both squads will be at full strength for the upcoming matchup.

Key Takeaways

• Wake Forest is looking to build on their recent win against Florida State.
• Nate Calmese has been instrumental in the Demon Deacons’ ACC victories.
• Juke Harris’ defensive contributions helped secure the win against Florida State.
• Wake Forest’s strong defense and ability to turn turnovers into points are key factors in their success.
• SMU’s offensive rebounding and Samet Yigitoglu’s potential could pose challenges for Wake Forest.
• Boopie Miller’s scoring and playmaking will be vital for SMU’s performance.
• Both teams are healthy and ready for the matchup.

With both teams entering the game with different strengths and weaknesses, the upcoming match between Wake Forest and SMU promises to be an exciting contest.