Game 21: Wake Forest

Looks like we went with the NCAA Tournament schedule this week, with a game, day off, then game again. The game today is at 4 (Note the time change) and will be on CSTV as well as on the radio. Winning streak is at 18 (I miscounted) and a win today locks up our third straight 20-win season for the first time since the 1980 season. Wake took us to overtime last year and we are 45-12 against them all-time. A win also makes it five straight against the Demon Deacons, the most since the 1998 season.

Wake Forest
Record: 8-10, 0-5 (ACC), 1-3 (Road)
Common Opponents:Virginia (L, 70-77); NC State (L, 57-80)
Losses:Indiana, Western Carolina, James Madison, Richmond, Virginia Tech, Clemson, UNC Asheville, Virginia, NC State, Virginia Tech.
Most points allowed:80
Fewest points scored34

Team Info - Stats

8 straight losses in ACC play dating back to last year.

Averaging 58.1 ppg, while allowing 63.1 ppg.

Shooting 36.8% from the floor and 31.5% from behind the arc.

Outrebounding opponents 40.4 - 37.6 (They are the tallest team in the ACC)

Averaging 19.3 turnovers per game, while generating 7.6 steals per game.

3.7 Blocks per game.

62.2% from the free throw line (No one shoots better than 75%)

Only one person on the team has more assists than turnovers.

Player's Info - Roster

Their best player is Yolanda Lavender, a 5-9 guard from D.C., who is averaging 18.2 ppg. She has taken 312 shots, 107 more than the next person on the team. She has also taken 132 three-pointers. This is her first game back in D.C. so I expect her to want to show something to her fans. She doesn't attack the glass and isn't big on the defensive end.

Alex Tchangoue. 5'11 guard. second on the team in scoring (11.7). First in steals. Best shooter, hitting 40.7% from behind the arc. Aggressive defender who has gotten into foul trouble. Also second on the team in rebounding.

Corinne Groves. Team's leading rebounder at 10.1 per game and third on the team in scoring (10.3). Shooting only 48% from the field.

Melissa Washington/Mekia Valentine. The team's main two shot blockers. They don't really factor into the offense, but stand in the paint looking to knock away shots. Valentine will get in foul trouble.

Courteney Morris/Christen Brown. The team's shooting threats when Lavender and Tchangoue aren't in the game.

Keys to the Game

Put the game away earlier. This game should be over by halftime.

Defend. They just came off a game where they scored 34 points, they will be looking to score.

Contain Lavender. She will drive and shoot at will. She must be contained liked we contained Taylor two weeks ago.

Box out Groves and Tchangoue. They are the two main rebounders, especially Groves.

Attack the paint. We did a bunch of this against Virginia, but we need to keep it up today. Langhorne had 34 and 14 last year in this game, and I would expect similiar numbers today. (10 of those did come in OT)

Articles

Washington Post

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