ACC Hoops: Wake Forest Defeats Georgia Tech 69-43

Winston Salem, NC: The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (21-10, 13-7 ACC) easily take care of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (16-15, 10-10 ACC) on Senior Day, 69-43. With the win, and Florida State’s victory over SMU and Duke’s win over Carolina, the Demon Deacons secure a double bye in the ACC tournament as the #4 seed. This is the Deacs best ACC finish since the 2008-2009 season.

The Demon Deacons seniors went out on a high note as their last game in the Joel was never really close. The Deacs trailed 5-3 for less than a minute and then took total control of the game. The Deacs only gave up 15 first half points, the season best for the Wake defense. The Deacons had a 34-15 lead at the break.

The Demon Deacons had one of their best performances from behind the arc against the Yellow Jackets. The Deacs finished the game making 11 threes on 31 attempts for a 35.5% clip. Efton Reid, Ty-Laur Johnson, Juke Harris and Hunter Salis made multiple threes for the Deacs.

The senior trio of Reid, Salis, and Hildreth led the Deacs in scoring. Cameron Hildreth, once again, had the most points with 14 along with 6 steals. Salis finished with 13 points on 3 three pointers and 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Reid polished off his Wake career at home with another double double of 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Deacon were able to get double figure scoring from their bench behind a career night from Omaha Biliew. Biliew scored 7 including one three pointer and had 5 rebounds. Juke Harris continues to be a strong option off the bench with 9 points behind 2 three point jumpers and 8 rebounds.

The Deacons will play in the 2:30 slot in Thursday’s ACC quarterfinals. The Deacs will play the winner of the North Carolina vs. the winner of Pittsburgh and Notre Dame. The Deacons beat all three possible matchups this season by a total of only 6 points, and all of them at home. The most likely matchup is the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Heels have been playing great as of late winning 6 of their last 7 games with an average margin of victory over 17 points.

If the Deacons end up playing the Tar Heels in the quarterfinals, it can be looked at as a de facto elimination game for the NCAA tournament. Both squads are currently on the outside looking in on the field of 68 and are in desperate need of splash victory. Making the ACC semifinals with a potential matchup against the #1 Duke Blue Devils can set either team up for a major victory. Wake, despite the 30 point loss to the Blue Devils last week, played the Blue Devils to their closest win, losing only by 7 points at home back in January.

The Deacons are still a long shot to make the NCAA tournament, but the door is not completely shut. In a sense, the Deacons control their destiny, only needing to win a few games to solidify their resume.