With the win over Maryland last, 65-63, Wake Forest has now home three games in a row as it prepares to wrap up its season this Sunday with a home game against Clemson. The win insures a first round bye for the Deacons in the ACC tournament next weekend which is good as it gives them an extra day to rest and prepare.
Still, the team has not been exactly overpowering in its three wins with no win margin more than 10 points. Jeff Teague is the focus of the opponent’s defenses now but James Johnson and Ish Smith have both step up to take up the offensive load. In the last three games, opponent defenses have been stuffing the paint under the basket trying to take away Wake’s inside game. It is in these situations that an accurate three pointer shooter would come in handy because a shooter on the likes of Ty Lawson or Terrence Ogelesby would have a field day with such a defense. When Gary Clark rained down two 3 point shots to keep Wake in the game early in the first half, it showed how vulnerable such a defense is to a perimeter shooter.
Wake’s current poll position of 10th seems about right. Last week’s fourteenth was way wrong in my opinion but it was corrected with the two weeks last week. Right now, Wake is looking at a third ranked seed in the a NCAA tournament regional but that could change especially if Wake beats Clemson next week and Duke loses to North Carolina. Getting a second seed is quite doable with some wins on Wake’s part and a break or two going thier way.
Finally, a moment from last night’s game as Teague puts the slam down on Maryland’s Neal: