Tar Heels Basketball Game Preview: Wake Forest vs. UNC
On Wednesday evening, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (10-7, 1-4 ACC) will attempt to upset the No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels (16-2, 5-0 ACC). If the Tar Heels win this game and their next game, they will become the consensus No. 1 in the nation, since the Oklahoma Sooners lost to the Iowa State Cyclones this past Saturday.
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Wake Forest’s best player is Devin Thomas. Wake Forest’s bad record overshadows his terrific season. Thomas averages 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Thomas has a good chance to be a first-team all-ACC selection with his conference rankings based on statistics. Thomas ranks fourth in field goal percentage (58%), fifth in blocks (1.94), second in rebounds (10.53) and 12th in points (16.4).
This game marks the first of two back-to-back ranked road games for the Deacons. Former Kansas Jayhawk and Greensboro, NC native Danny Manning will face UNC for the first time as a head coach. Manning relies on Thomas a great deal. It is safe to say that the offense is structured around getting the ball to him.
However, do not overlook Manning’s guards, Bryant Crawford and Mitchell Wilbekin. Both players are capable of getting hot from the perimeter, indicative of their 40.6% and 34.9% three-point field goal percentages.
Wake Forest has their own “Greek Freak” in Konstantinos Mitoglou, a 6’10” stretch four who shoots 37.3% from the three-point line and averages 11.6 points per game. Mitoglou could potentially be an “x-factor” for Wake Forest. In the past, Carolina has had problems defending stretch fours and shooting guards who are above-average perimeter players.
There is not too much to say about the Tar Heels. They can beat you a variety of ways. Paige is not the focal point of the offense, since role players Joel Berry II and Isaiah Hicks have emerged as low-key stars this season. Brice Johnson is having an “ACC Player of the Year” kind of season. In their last game versus N.C. State, Kennedy Meeks erupted for 23 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
North Carolina will look to push the ball, creating a fast-paced game. UNC will control the game as long as they control the boards.
Although Carolina has a plethora of scorers, their strength is their interior. Joel James will be sitting out this game, so expect Hicks or Meeks start at the center position. Whoever does not start the game will be the sixth man.
Also, recently UNC head coach Roy Williams has gone with the “hot player.” Whoever is playing well will get the minutes. This year’s team gives Williams the luxury to rest players, while not relying solely on one or two players to win games.
North Carolina should win easily. Expect to see five to six Tar Heels players in double figures.
Score: UNC beats Wake Forest, 93-78
Channel: ESPN2
Time: 7:00 pm