Gameday Preview: Wake Forest vs Virginia – Weds Feb 26th 2025

Winston Salem, NC: The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (19-8, 11-5 ACC) host the Virginia Cavaliers (13-14, 6-10 ACC) at the LJVM Coliseum Wednesday night. The Deacons are fighting for their postseason life as bid stealing season is upon us. The most recent update has the Demon Deacons as the last team in the NCAA Tournament.

The Deacons are coming off their most disappointing loss of the season as they fell to the NC State Wolfpack (11-16, 4-12 ACC), 85-73 in Raleigh on Saturday. The Deacons never got off the bus as they lost both halves by 6 points. Cam Hildreth again led the Deacs in scoring with 16 points and was joined in double figures by Hunter Salis with 13, Tre’Von Spillers with 16, and Efton Reid with 12.  After a stellar performance from behind the line against the SMU Mustangs, Parker Friedrichsen was only able to play 5 minutes and score 2 points. UNC transfer Dontrez Styles of the Wolfpack had 22 points and 10 boards. Freshman Paul McNeil had a career day in his first start for the pack, scoring 24 points on 4-7 shooting from 3.

The Virginia Cavaliers are limping into another Tobacco Road matchup against the Deacs after losing at home against the Blue Devils 80-62, and then on the road against the Tar Heels 81-66. Isaac McKneely and Dai Dai Ames were the only double figure scorers for the Cavaliers scoring 17 and 12 respectively. Ian Jackson led the Tar Heels with 16 points off the bench.

Key Points:

Wake

• Every game from here on out is a must win. The bubble teams are making strong moves, Georgia took down #3 Florida last night. The Deacs have to play, once again, like their season depends on it.
• BYOE- Bring your own energy. A 9pm start on the East Coast on a Wednesday is not ideal. The Deacs will need to make their own energy as students and the crowd will most likely be sluggish. From the coaching staff to the players, energy is a must to not lull themselves into another devastating loss.
• Continue to spread the wealth. 4 out of the 5 Wake starters were in double figures against the Wolfpack. The Deacs need to continue this trend while adding some support from the bench to take care of the Cavaliers.

UVA

• Throw the first punch. Get the Deacs on their heels and do not let them up. The Deacs have shown an inability to battle back in these types of games. 
• Get hot from the arc. Isaac McKneely can shoot the long ball. Hitting a couple of threes early can kill any momentum the Deacs have. 
• Make this game boring. The less action the better for the Cavs. The Joel will most likely be closer to a library with a Wake lead, a deficit will make it even quieter.

The Tar Heels are nipping at the heels of the Deacs in both the conference standings and in the NCAA tournament projections. The Heels have to take out the Hokies in Blacksburg and the Blue Devils at home while the Deacs have to travel to Cameron. The final ACC bid will come down to performance in Charlotte at the ACC Tournament.