Wake Forest vs Georgia Tech Preview
by Brian Burke on Feb 18, 2009 1:21 AM EST
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Wake Forest can still feel the sting of their 76-74 loss to Georgia Tech from a few weeks ago.
The Yellow Jackets are just trying to get their sting back...
This Wednesday, Wake Forest (19-4, 6-4 ACC) will get a chance to reach the 20-win mark for the first time since 2005, and avenge its last-second loss to Georgia Tech from just 17 days ago... and they'll get it on their home court.
At the Lawrence Joel Coliseum this season, the Demon Deacons are averaging seven more points than their opponents in five ACC games - including wins over Duke and UNC. In their five road games in conference, the Deacs are averaging one PPG less than their opponent.
And Georgia Tech is about as bad on the road as Wake is good at home. The Yellow Jackets haven't won a road game since before Christmas, one of only two road wins all season.
Wake doesn't have everything going for them, however.
On Wednesday, the Deacons will try to start a two-game winning streak, something they haven't done in over a month. And despite their six in-conference wins, the Deacs have yet to beat an ACC team with a losing record as they will play 1-10 Georgia Tech. And GT's only in-conference win? Against Wake Forest.
Still, Georgia Tech is going to need to play well and take advantage of opportunities if they want to sweep the Demon Deacons on Wednesday. For Wake Forest opponents recently, opportunities have come off the glass.
Rebounding has been one of the Yellow Jackets' strengths all year, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. They score a lot of their points off of second chance points, with Gani Lawal leading the way with 3.7 offensive rebounds per game. Wake, on the other hand, likes to score off of turnovers, fast breaks and by pushing the tempo.
One way that neither team scores is from behind the arc:
Wake and GT are at the bottom of the ACC in both three-pointers made and three-pointers attempted. In fact, Wake ranks second to last in the nation in the percentage of their points that come from threes.
Both teams rank in the top 25 in the nation in tempo, but also rely on their defenses more than their offenses.
If revenge is a dish best served cold, then expect the Yellow Jackets to be freezing Wednesday night, as the Deacons know that the selection committee likes teams that are hot coming down the stretch.
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Big Winning Margins!
You guys think this game will be a blowout. I will be happy with 78-74. Wake can not look past Georgia Tech!!!
Personally I am giving them a big margin because I don’t think they will look past Georgia Tech. I think the Yellow Jackets will see a very angry Deacon team this time around.
The Spread
Vegas thinks we’re going to win by 14, and that’s good enough for me. Then again, Vegas thought we would beat N.C. State by 6.
This is an important game for us. It will set the tone for the rest of the season. If we come out and house the Jackets like we’re supposed to it will show that we can learn from our mistakes and that we’ve grown up a good deal since earlier in the season and we’re gearing up for the tourney. If we struggle but still pull out a win, it’s good but certainly doesn’t bode well for the tournament. If we lose, well, let’s just not even think about that.
Getcha some.
Tech comes and and surprises Wake again goes up by 8 or 10. Wake gets rolling and leads by 12 at the half. Tech claws their way back in through the second half, gets within 4, and eventually loses by 9, because of strong free throw shooting by Ish. Zack Peacock elbows somebody in the face at some point.
Wake – 81
Tech – 72
Quick shoutout to bmustrosoft
For correctly calling the score of the game pre-game at the Joel. He didn’t make it on to post it here but I wanted to give him some credit anyway.
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