Number 1 ranked teams in NCAA basketball this year seem to be having a problem retaining that position for very long. Wake Forest had it last week, Duke has it this week but next week who knows. We do know it will not be Duke as Wake Forest beat the Blue Devils 70-68 on a last second layup by James Johnson.
It was a thriller of a game as both teams exhibited their strong defence and opportunitic play making. Wake Forest did get a 11 point lead at one point in te second half but Duke showed why they are one of the top teams in the nation by storming back and tying it. But Wake’s defence kept Duke shooting to 33% but part of that was due to Duke’s reliance on the perimeter 3 point shot. When Duke can not make those big baskets, they reveal the weakness of their inside game.
Jeff Teague had a off night point-wise with only 10 but Al-Farouq Aminu and Johnson came through for the team and even David Weaver manage to contribute critical points to the game.
So what now for the Deacons?
Well, they play against Georgia Tech which on paper should be an easy game for Wake but you can never tell what may happen especially after UNC’s near defeat by Florida State. Duke plays Virginia, another bottom team but it is doubtful that a victory there will preserve their ranking. So it would appear that UConn will take the top spot in the polls next week and Wake should be #2 or #3 again. But with the defeat of two top ranked teams this year, Wake Forest should solidify its position as one of the top teams to watch come tournament time in March