So we're here with 10 games remaining. The Deacs sit at 14-4 and 4-2 in conference. So naturally, it's time to wonder, how will the rest of the season play out for the Demon Deacons?
I don't think anyone is upset with how the season has gone so far for Wake. Sure, it is easy to sit and complain about the William & Mary loss or the Miami loss looking back, but mid-majors do knock off teams and in the ACC, most teams lose at least one game they shouldn't lose.
So, with that said, it should be interesting to look at the Deacs' chances in the remainder of their games. Just as a starting point, let's look at the schedule itself, and what KenPom predicts for the Demon Deacons.
Date
Opponent
Result
Location
Record
Conf
Fri Nov 13
(126) Oral Roberts
W, 76-56
69
Home
1-0
Sun Nov 15
(197) East Carolina
W, 89-58
75
Neutral
2-0
Wed Nov 18
(284) High Point
W, 83-60
77
Home
3-0
Tue Nov 24
(325) Winston Salem St.
W, 76-52
70
Home
4-0
Sat Nov 28
(92) William & Mary
L, 78-68
69
Home
4-1
Tue Dec 1
(9) Purdue
L, 69-58
76
Away
4-2
Sat Dec 5
(45) Gonzaga
W, 77-75
69
Away
5-2
Sun Dec 13
(301) Elon
W, 90-50
75
Home
6-2
Wed Dec 16
(151) NC Wilmington
W, 80-69
75
Away
7-2
Sun Dec 20
(73) North Carolina St.
W, 67-59
71
Home
8-2
1-0
Mon Dec 28
(261) NC Greensboro
W, 75-60
72
Away
9-2
Thu Dec 31
(77) Richmond
W, 74-68
75
OT
Home
10-2
Sun Jan 3
(34) Xavier
W, 96-92
94
2OT
Home
11-2
Sat Jan 9
(55) Miami FL
L, 67-66
67
Away
11-3
1-1
Tue Jan 12
(8) Maryland
W, 85-83
78
OT
Home
12-3
2-1
Sun Jan 17
(2) Duke
L, 90-70
77
Away
12-4
2-2
Wed Jan 20
(46) North Carolina
W, 82-69
69
Away
13-4
3-2
Sat Jan 23
(54) Virginia
W, 69-57
72
Home
14-4
4-2
Thu Jan 28
(24) Georgia Tech
L, 72-68
74
33%
Away
Tue Feb 2
(55) Miami FL
W, 73-65
70
79%
Home
Sat Feb 6
(54) Virginia
W, 68-67
67
50%
Away
Tue Feb 9
(67) Boston College
W, 74-65
69
82%
Home
Sat Feb 13
(24) Georgia Tech
W, 71-68
74
64%
Home
Tue Feb 16
(37) Virginia Tech
L, 65-63
70
40%
Away
Sat Feb 20
(73) North Carolina St.
W, 71-69
69
59%
Away
Sat Feb 27
(46) North Carolina
W, 80-72
77
76%
Home
Wed Mar 3
(23) Florida St.
L, 69-65
72
33%
Away
Sun Mar 7
(21) Clemson
W, 70-66
72
64%
Home
Projected record:
20-8
10-6
At first glance, this looks pretty close to what I would have guessed. I am cautiously optimistic about the game tomorrow against the Yellow Jackets, but given Wake's struggles against Tech in Atlanta in the past, it is hard for me to predict a W here. (4-3)
As far as Miami is concerned, I know Wake wants that first game back, and I think this is one of those home games where the Deacs will finally blow somebody out. Miami is in a straight free-fall right now, and I don't see the Deacs letting this one slip away. (5-3)
Heading to Virginia, I feel as if the Cavs are going to want revenge. Plus, they have a tough stretch coming up and the game against the Demon Deacons might end up being one of those tipping point games for UVA's schedule. For some reason, I feel like their shooters will get hot and they are going to be able to steal one. (5-4)
Wake returns home for two games and this is where they will buckle down and focus. Boston College has looked horrendous at times this season, but has given Wake fits since they joined the ACC. I just don't think Al Skinner's club has enough firepower to take the Deacs at the Joel. GT comes into town next and Wake won't let this one go. After a close loss to GT, I look for Wake to win this one by double digits after GT flips their pregame coin and it lands on tails (bad). (7-4)
Virginia Tech is next and the Deacs desperately want a road win to stay in the top 4 in the ACC. Seth Greenberg's team is looking to make the NCAAs and a win against the Demon Deacons would go a long way to proving their resume. Malcolm Delaney has a big game, but Wake's shooters do enough to counteract Delaney's 20+ point performance and Wake comes away with the W. (8-4)
In a let down game, Wake just can't pull it out against N.C. State. Wake always has trouble in Raleigh and Tracy Smith lives up to the big matchup, as the Deacs lose a heartbreaker down the stretch. (8-5)
UNC comes into the Joel fired up. Roy's boys have bounced back and forth but have found a way to win three straight, including victories over Florida State and Georgia Tech. They want to turn their season around and hit Wake at the right time. Ouch. (8-6)
Dino gives the guys a come to Jesus moment after two straight losses and they head into Florida State fired up. In an extremely physical game, Wake leaves Tallahassee with a much-needed victory, giving Wake a guaranteed +.500 record in conference. (9-6)
Wake is rolling in this one and blitzkriegs the Tigers. Ish Smith is able to render Clemson's press ineffective and in a scoring frenzy takes this one by 15, giving them the 3 seed in the ACC Tournament. (10-6)
Through all of this, the games I am on the fence on are--@Florida State, home against UNC, @N.C. State, @VT, @UVA. Wake could easily finish between 8-8 and 12-5 and a lot depends on whether or not Ish Smith is able to get some rest in certain games and also if the freshmen are able to keep up their high level of play. Wake needs L.D. Williams to step up in a couple big situations and the senior should be able to live up to the challenge. Al-Farouq Aminu continues to play at a high level and his 15 and 10 are almost a guarantee right now.
I really feel as though the late season collapse last year hardened this team, especially the seniors, and they don't want to let this season get away from them. Only time will tell, but this Wake team is ready to finish strong in the ACC.
What do you guys think? Predicting the ACC is about as easy as predicting the Dow right now, so I'm open to hearing just about anything.