Scouting the Competition: Wake Forest

NC State Wolfpack vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
7pm | Raleigh, NC | ESPNU

NC State faces off against Wake Forest tonight at 7pm in a game that is huge for the Wolfpack. After escaping Miami with a 1 point win, Gottfried’s group sits at at 5-4 in the ACC.

First off, let’s take a step back and examine the season thus far. Coming in, most figured that NC State would be sitting close to the bottom of the conference after losing 4 of their starters from last season. Now past the midseason mark, State is looking to break through to the top half of the conference standings. You have to admit that this is a pretty remarkable feat for a team running out a group of guys that barely any experience in ACC play. Despite being young, this team has shown toughness, heart and the ability to grind out close games at home and on the road. However, the the true challenge still awaits. With a game against Wake tomorrow, and string of 3 consecutive road games, the Wolfpack can make or break their season over the next two weeks. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here is the rundown on the Demon Deacons:

– Since we last saw Wake Forest they have lost 4 of their previous 6 games, falling to Clemson, Syracuse, GT and Duke. The Deacs are another team that has played above expectations so far this year, but lately have seemingly hit a wall. Wake has fallen to 4-6 in the conference and will be desprate for a win against the Pack. A loss here for Wake puts their backs against the wall for a NCAA Tournament berth (if they’re not already.)

– One reason for Wake’s recent struggles might be thanks to losing their leading scorer, Codi Miller-McIntyre, to a sprained ankle. He was lost early in the GT game and then did not play against Duke. Without CMM Wake really struggles. Reports are saying that he tested his ankle at practice on Sunday, but it’s still unclear if he will play Tuesday. If they have to play without him State will definitely have the advantage.

– The Deacs will be looking to go to Devin Thomas and Travis McKie (both averaging 11 ppg). While both are talented, both are bigs and NC State will likely pack in the zone and make Wake beat them from the outside. The lone scorer from the perimeter becomes Tyler Cavanaugh, who torched the Pack for 16pts last time out. However, without CMM getting into the lane and pressuring the defense, Cavanaugh becomes much easier to guard. He’s a spot shooter and isn’t very dangerous off the dribble. I expect Miller-McIntyre to at least try to play, but if he’s favoring his ankle he won’t be nearly as explosive off the dribble, which is his bread and butter.

– Last time out, Wake won a close one thanks to a 4 stride, double euro-step layup by Codi Miller-McIntyre (which the officials certainly missed).  The layup, however, was not the reason State lost. They lost because they could not stop Wake inside. Moto and Thomas combined for 31 points. Actually the stats in that one were pretty even outside of State’s abyssmal 3 point shooting. They only hit 15% from beyond the arc and shot 42% for the game (below their season average of 46%). If the Pack can limit Wake’s touches inside and continue their dominance on the boards from their last meeting, they should walk away with the W.