After beating Clemson 78-68 on Saturday and seeing Pitt lose to Louisville as well, Wake Forest is the only Division I basketball team that remains unbeaten in the nation. With superb play for the past two weeks starting with the defeat of BYU, Wake Forest has gotten everyone’s attention now. The best little team that no one knew about except for local fans and really knowledgeable sport analysts is a secret no more. That is why as of today, the team is now # 1 in the nation according to the AP and USA Today/ESPN polls.
Several players overlooked early on in the season like Jeff Teague and James Johnson are now recognized as being among the best in the nation. The defence is considered to be the best in the nation. So it goes now.
Of course, being number one is much more difficult to retain than aspiring to it. Every team comes after you now as a way to make their mark for the season much in the way that beating Duke or North Carolina does.
Looking ahead though, the top teams that Wake plays now are two games with Duke and a season ender with Clemson at home. The Duke game on the 28th will be the critical one for the balance of the season. Beat Duke at least once, then Wake Forest may cement a #1 seeding for the NCAA tournament which is more important than a #1 ranking in the polls.
But first of all, they will have to get past Virginia Tech on the 21st at home. There is always the danger looking past an upcoming game for a bigger one down the road. As we have seen with Boston College, a team that beat North Carolina but then lost three straight, all teams are motivated to do their best when taking on the best. The Deacons should be able to beat the Hokies but take nothing for granted.
Game Time: January 21st 7:00pm
TV: ESPN2