Gameday Preview: Wake Forest Travels to SMU – Sat Feb 15th 2025

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (18-7, 10-4 ACC) travel to Dallas to take on the SMU Mustangs (19-5, 10-3 ACC) in their biggest matchup of the season. The Deacs are coming off an utter implosion of a loss to Florida State on Wednesday and now has the Deacons on the outside of the bubble looking in. The same can be said for the SMU Mustangs who sit one spot above Wake in the “First Four Out” category according to Joe Lunardi.

The Deacs gave up a 16 point with 9 minutes to go in the game against the Florida State Seminoles. The final minute was a crazy back and forth between the two squads. The Seminoles drained a three pointer to take a 70-69 lead with 15 seconds left. Wake guard Ty-Laur Johnson then inexplicably shot a three from the logo that missed badly. Florida State got the rebound, avoided getting fouled, and dunked with 2 seconds left to take a 3 point lead. The Noles then fouled Cam Hildreth on a half court heave to give the Wake star three free throws to tie the game. Hildreth missed the first shot and sealed the Deacs fate as they dropped the game 72-70. Hildreth did lead the Deacons with 22 points, Hunter Silas scored an additional 20.

The SMU Mustangs easily took care of the Pittsburgh Panthers, 83-63, as they have won  8 of their last 9 games. Kario Oquendo led the Mustangs with 17 points and the 7 footer Samet Yigitoglu added a double double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Mustangs built a 43-27 lead at the break. The Panthers pulled within 13 points but could not get closer. 

Key Points

Wake

• Play a full 40 minute game. The Deacs dominated 30+ minutes against Florida State Wednesday evening until the wheels fell off. The Deacs have the talent to not only play with, but win any game they play in. Put together a full 40 minutes and they have a chance to leave Dallas with a W.
• Get the whole team involved. Hunter Salis and Cam Hildreth are the only two reliable scores the Deacs have. The Deacs will need contributions from the whole squad as well as a key player off the bench. Juke Harris has been the most versatile for the Deacs, he will need to step up as well. 
• Play like the season is on the line… because it is. The Deacs need to come out with urgency and throw the first punch. Make the Mustangs play off their back foot and take care of business. 

SMU

• Embrace the home court advantage. Get the crowd going early and feed off their energy. The Mustangs need the win, any advantage is welcomed. 
• Control the tempo. The Deacs, and especially Cam Hildreth, want to get out and run any chance they get. The Mustangs need to limit Wake’s ability to get easy baskets by limiting turnovers and slowing the game down.
• Make threes. The Deacs have struggled all year from beyond the arc. The Mustangs have found success from deep. If the threes are falling, the Mustangs can distance themselves far enough ahead so Wake cannot make up the difference.