Gameday Preview – Wake Forest vs Virginia Tech – Sat Jan 18th 2025

The Wake Forest Demon Deacon (13-4, 5-1 ACC), head to Blacksburg to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies (8-9, 3-3 ACC) Saturday afternoon. The Deacons look to continue their 4 game winning streak against the Hokies who are on a mini 2-game streak after a solid week last week.

The Deacs played host to Stanford Wednesday evening as the Cardinal got their first taste of basketball on Tobacco road. The senior leader of the Demon Deacons,Hunter Silas poured in thirty points shooting 60% from behind the arc to give the Deacs a 80-67 win. The standout from the matchup was Appalachian State senior transfer Tre’Von Spillers whose bucket at just under 5 minutes of play gave the Deacons a three point lead on the Cardinal. The Deacons finished the game on a 16-4 run holding the Cardinal to only 5 points in the final 5 minutes. Spillers finished the game with a double double, scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Cam Hildreth went 10 for 10 from the charity stripe. The Stanford Cardinal were led by Oziyah Sellers’ 16 points, and Duke transfer Jalen Blakes 15 points. Wooden Award candidate Maxime Raynaud also reigned in a double double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The Virginia Tech Hokies completed a 15 point comeback against the NC State Wolfpack on Wednesday. The Wolfpack had the lead for the entire second half until there was 2.3 seconds left. Duke transfer Jaden Schutt knocked down two free throws and Ben Burnham stole the ensuing inbound passing, killing any chance State had to make a buzzer beating shot. Burnham buried a dunk as time expired to give the Hokies a 79-76 comeback victory.

The Demon Deacons are in the pack of 4 teams with one loss in ACC play nipping at the heels of the undefeated Duke Blue Devils. The Hokies are stuck in the middle of the ACC standings at 3-3.

Key Points

Wake Forest

• Where is Parker Friedrichsen? The 3 point specialist has been a no-show this season averaging a measly 1.8 points per game on the road. His deadeye shooting needs to come back to make the Deacs a serious March contender.
• Make road losses a thing of the past. The Deacs lost 11 games away from the Joel last season. So far this year, they’ve beaten Syracuse in the Dome and Miami on the road. Look for the Deacs to continue this trend and pick up another valuable road W.
• Contrary to the stat line, Efton Reid was a major contributor for the Deacs win over the Cardinal. Reid held Maxime Raynaud to 10 points under his season average. Reid will have another matchup against Tech’s leading scorer Tobi Lawal. Keep him in check and the Deacs get the W.

Virginia Tech

• Keep feeding Tobi Lawal. Lawal is leading the Hokies in points and boards at 12 and 6 respectively. Lawal has scored above average in of the last 5 games including a 22 and 11 output against NC State. 
• Stay hot on offense. The Hokies picked apart a 15 point second half deficit to claim a W against the Wolfpack. If they stay hot they will put pressure on the Deacs.
• Play like the season is on the line… because it is. The Hokies are flirting with the basement of the ACC and need a bunch of wins. With two games in hand, this could start a streak.