GoDuke.com: No. 8 Duke Concludes Three-Game Road Swing at Wake Forest (direct link to Duke game notes PDF)
Mike Monaco and Chris Spatola will call the action on ESPN...
Wake Forest leads the ACC and ranks third in the nation in free-throw percentage (.805), and is the conference's third-highest scoring team with 79.4 points per game.
The Demon Deacons are second in the conference in both field goal percentage (.474) and 3-point field goal percentage (.373), which places 27th nationally.
GoDeacs.com: Big Four Matchup Set for Saturday Between Deacs and Blue Devils (direct link to Wake game notes PDF)
This season, the Deacs have won 14 consecutive home games for the first time since 2013-14. It is tied for the fifth-longest home winning streak in program history...
Recently named ACC Rookie of the Week for a second time this season (Feb. 19), freshman guard Jared McCain has upped his scoring average to 13.5 points per game – good for third-best on the roster. Sophom*ore big man Kyle Filipowski still leads the way in points (16.9/game), rebounding (6.2/game), and blocks (1.7/game). Playing as a veteran floor general, Jeremy Roach is second in both scoring (14.1 ppg) and assists (3.2 apg).
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The Chronicle: Three points: All-around defense, road poise crucial for No. 8 Duke men's basketball against Wake Forest
In the two squads’ first meeting, Wake Forest shot a paltry 6-of-26 from 3-point territory, well below its season average of 37.3% (the 27th best mark in the nation). So far this year in losses, the Demon Deacons have shot 30.3% from three, which would be one of the worst marks in the country. Head Coach Jon Scheyer will need the defense from beyond the arc to step up and limit Wake Forest’s potency from deep.
Freshman guard Caleb Foster started over sophom*ore Tyrese Proctor last time out against Miami, and he may again be called upon to provide solid, if not exceptional, defense against one of the ACC’s top shooters in junior Hunter Sallis. In losses, Sallis specifically is netting threes at a 37.5% clip, below his season mark of 41.8%. If the Blue Devils can keep the Demon Deacons in check from beyond the arc — specifically Sallis — they’ll have a good shot to come away from Winston-Salem victorious, a feat they couldn’t achieve last year.
The Chronicle: X-Factor: Roach's consistency crucial for Duke men's basketball's second clash with Wake Forest
Duke’s previous matchup against Wake Forest featured strong performances by Kyle Filipowski and Mark Mitchell, finding ways to drive to the net and capitalize on size. Still, [Jeremy] Roach found ways to contribute to the team’s success, putting up 12 points and coming in with a clutch three to extend the lead late in the game. In an intense road environment and an opponent hungry for a rematch, the presence of the program’s captain is essential in closing out the trip with a victory. Roach can impact the game off the ball when he facilitates the Blue Devil offense and keeps the team’s composure during moments of pressure by the opponent. If he displays a consistent and competitive performance, the rest of the offense should follow suit.
Winston-Salem Journal: Tie Dye Nation will be back on full display Saturday for Wake Forest's home game with Duke
Wake Forest is 14-0 at home this season, the best record of any ACC team, and in their last five games at home have shot a combined 50% on 3-pointers. Damari Monsanto was just 2 of 10 shooting in the Duke loss, but so far this season he is 7 of 17 shooting at Joel Coliseum...
The sold-out Joel Coliseum is expected to have more than 14,000, and it will be full for the first time since Jan. 28, 2017, which was also a game against Duke.
Fans will also be treated to Tie [Dye] Nation T-shirts with 10,000 being distributed on Saturday. It’s expected to be the largest home crowd in [head coach Steve] Forbes’ four seasons in Winston-Salem.
SB Nation/Blogger So Dear: Opportunity Awaits for Wake Forest this Weekend
Despite Wake coming in at 27th in the NET and 21st in KenPom, many of the so-called “experts” have Wake Forest firmly on the bubble for making the NCAA Tournament; the reason: the lack of a marquee win. Wake’s current best win–and only Quad 1 win–is over the [NET] 29th ranked Florida Gators... Florida is way too close to the 30th rank Q1 threshold for comfort. To ensure their spot in March Madness this season, the Deacs are going to need another big win. Enter the [AP] 8th ranked Duke Blue Devils.
SB Nation/Blogger So Dear: Game Preview: Wake Forest vs Duke
Throughout the first Duke game, and in my reflections afterward, I’ve maintained one thing in my mind — that contest was eminently winnable for Wake Forest. A couple things go the other way, and I think the Deacs would’ve left Durham with a victory.
What that reinforces for me now is my confidence that Wake Forest has an open shot at taking down the Blue Devils in Winston-Salem. In the Joel, the Deacs are a different basketball team. They are, to use a word, electric. Bring that same energy, shooting, defense and overall more polished home performance on Saturday, and I think Wake Forest earns a big-time win.
At this juncture of the season, Wake Forest controls its own destiny. It’s time for the Deacs to chart their path, make a little magic and create that destiny. It’s been far too long since Wake Forest has gone to the dance. The future is now.
Wake Forest wins 83-76
Fayetteville Observer: Duke basketball vs. Wake Forest: Score prediction, scouting report for Blue Devils
Four players finished with at least four fouls in the first meeting between Duke and Wake Forest. Efton Reid and Andrew Carr, the Demon Deacons’ starting post players, fouled out against the Blue Devils. Those troubles allowed Duke’s Kyle Filipowski and Mark Mitchell to thrive with 44 points and 18 rebounds. If the Deacs are going to pull off the upset, their best players can’t be on the bench with foul issues...
Wake Forest 77, Duke 75: Duke is playing its best basketball of the year, but no team is safe on the road and the Demon Deacons are undefeated at home. This won’t change the trajectory of the Blue Devils, but Wake Forest will finally get its signature win.
247 Sports/The Devils Den: How to Watch: No. 8 Duke at Wake Forest
Odds have this game as a win for the Blue Devils, with ESPN's FPI projecting Duke to have a 55.1% chance to pick up the victory. KenPom.com predicts a 76-75 win for Duke with just a 50% chance of getting the victory. However, BartTorvik.com has the Blue Devils losing a close one at 75-74.
247 Sports/The Devils Den: Preview: Duke (21-5, 12-3) travels to Wake Forest (17-9, 9-6) looking to spoil Deacs' perfect home record
Another factor for the Blue Devils in Round One was the team's defense on the perimeter, limiting Wake Forest to just 6-of-26 from three point land. A huge part of the Wake Forest offense revolves around knocking down outside looks, something Duke will have to focus on. Additionally, can Duke get another strong performance from Mitchell and Filipowski inside as the two look to draw fouls against the Deacon bigs? It's a tall order for the Blue Devils who are playing well of late, but who head to Winston Salem where Wake Forest is undefeated at home this season. This looks to be the toughest game on the remaining schedule for Duke according to the various computer models and could be a turning point in the season where Scheyer's team solidifies its forward momentum heading into March.
And so the pick...
Duke - 78
Wake Forest - 74
