The Demon Deacons are picked apart by second-chance points in many of their games, but they don't necessarily believe it's the post players who are fault.
Opposing teams are gobbling up offensive rebounds against Wake Forest, so that's taking away from the impact of initial defensive stops. But part of the problem, as identified by coach Jeff Bzdelik, is allowing opposing guards too much penetration. That brings the Demon Deacons' shot blockers out of position and leaves open lanes for offensive rebounds.
"In our particular case, it's because we don't guard the ball well enough that we get beat off the dribble," Bzdelik said. "Our shot blockers go to help."
So the aim will be better rotation to box out. This could be particularly important in Wake Forest's next game against Virginia, which prefers a slower pace. So if it's a game with fewer possessions, the Demon Deacons can't afford to be yielding too many offensive rebounds.
But fixing that comes at an awkward time because Wake Forest just surrendered its second-most points of the season in Saturday's 87-76 loss at North Carolina State.
A season-high four-game losing streak is staring at the Demon Deacons as they head to Virginia, which is the only ACC team it defeated last season. This time, though, the game is on the road. Wake Forest's last six losses have been by double-figure margins.
NOTES, QUOTES
--Wake Forest has been getting to the free-throw line at a pretty steady pace in recent weeks, except for when it plays N.C. State. The Demon Deacons took only 10 free throws Saturday at N.C. State, marking the second-fewest attempts of the season. The low mark (eight attempts) came in the first meeting against N.C. State. Entering the most recent game, Wake Forest had attempted 154 free throws in ACC games compared to 155 for its opponents, but N.C. State took 20 -- or twice as many -- in the latest meeting.
--The Demon Deacons solved some of their shooting woes by hitting 50 percent of their shots in the loss to N.C. State. It's only the third time this season that the Demon Deacons have hit 50 percent or better; they shot 57.6 percent in a home rout of North Carolina Central and 58.3 percent in a win at High Point. Wake Forest's previous best mark from the field in a loss was 44.6 percent at Maryland.
--The Demon Deacons made a 25-point improvement against N.C. State from January's meeting, but they still suffered an 87-76 loss. This means that Wake Forest has been swept by N.C. State in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1985-86 and 1986-87.
"We got embarrassed last time we played them, and we wanted to come out and give a better effort," G C.J. Harris said. "We did that."
Still, the Demon Deacons will need to find more corrective measures against N.C. State because the teams will be primary partners, playing twice a year, in the new ACC scheduling format.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"There was a period where we didn't get back well at all. They were able to fuel their offense through transition." -- coach Jeff Bzdelik on Wake Forest surrendering 18 fast-break points to N.C. State. Wake Forest was credited with only four fast-break points in the game.
THIS WEEK'S GAMES
--at Virginia, Feb. 8
The Demon Deacons will have to show the defensive discipline that's often lacking in order to contend with Virginia's sometimes deliberate style. Wake Forest doesn't have a player with the reputation that will be able to handle a defensive assignment on F Mike Scott, who can be overpowering in the lane against the right matchup.
--vs. Clemson, Feb. 11
This is a rematch from two weeks earlier when the Demon Deacons dropped an 11-point decision at Clemson, so there must be adjustments in the works. Keeping F Travis McKie involved will be important after his double-double the first time against the Tigers, who usually struggle on Wake Forest's home court.
FUTURES MARKET
There could be a push to give freshman F Daniel Green some more playing time to see how he'll react against the ACC-level competition. That might have been short-circuited against N.C. State when he was called for a flagrant foul in the first half and it resulted in a seven-point possession for the Wolfpack. Still, Green has played a total of 23 minutes in the past two games, and that's a considerable total based on that fact that he played 34 minutes across the first seven ACC games. At 6 feet 10 and a slim 210 pounds, he appears to be a player who might be a victim of physical play. Still, if he eats some of senior F Nikita Mescheriakov's playing time, it might be worth it in the long run.
PLAYER NOTES
--G Tony Chennault fouled out with 1:36 remaining in Saturday's loss to N.C. State. It marked the first time the sophomore had been disqualified by fouls in 38 career games.
--G C.J. Harris has scored in double figures in 22 straight games. He averaged 20 points in losses to North Carolina and N.C.State.
--F Travis McKie, whose two points in the first meeting of the season with N.C. State marked a low point, responded with 13 points in the rematch. Still, he has trouble against the Wolfpack, as his four rebounds were the same number he had the first time. Those are the two lowest rebound totals in ACC play for the sophomore.
