Wake Forest Demon Deacons Hold Off Clemson Tigers 85-77 Behind Juke Harris's 20 Points

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons, ranked 64th in the NET rankings, pulled off a stunning 85-77 upset over the 31st-ranked Clemson Tigers, a team that was projected to be a strong contender for a high seed in the tournament. This 8-point victory marked a significant departure from the predicted 4.4-point margin in favor of Clemson, and it has major implications for both teams' seed lines. Wake Forest's win was fueled by a strong first half, where they outscored Clemson 45-32, and they managed to maintain their lead throughout the second half, despite Clemson's best efforts to mount a comeback. Over the last 5 games, Wake Forest has been averaging 77 points per game, while allowing 78.8 points per game, resulting in a -1.8 point differential.

The game was marked by several key performances, including Juke Harris's 20 points and 7 rebounds for Wake Forest, and Jake Wahlin's 17 points and 5 rebounds for Clemson. Wake Forest's Sebastian Akins also had a notable game, scoring 16 points, while Myles Colvin added 14 points and 5 rebounds. On the other hand, Clemson's Carter Welling and Ace Buckner scored 13 points each, but it wasn't enough to overcome Wake Forest's strong team effort. Wake Forest's recent form has been inconsistent, with a 2-3 record over their last 5 games, including a win over Stanford and a loss to NC State. Clemson, on the other hand, has been averaging 65.2 points per game over their last 5 games, while allowing 62.8 points per game, resulting in a +2.4 point differential.

Beyond the stat lines, it's clear that Wake Forest's players made several key plays that ultimately decided the game. Juke Harris hit several big shots, including a crucial three-pointer with 5 minutes left to play, which helped to seal the win for Wake Forest. Sebastian Akins also made some key contributions, including a few clutch free throws that helped to maintain Wake Forest's lead. On the other hand, Clemson's players struggled to find their rhythm, with several key players disappearing for long stretches of the game. Jake Wahlin was one of the few bright spots for Clemson, but even he couldn't do enough to overcome Wake Forest's strong team defense. Over the course of the game, Wake Forest shot 51.9% from the field, while Clemson shot 45.1%, a difference that ultimately was decisive.

The CHD Scout prediction model had forecasted a Clemson win by 4.4 points, but this was incorrect.

The model's mistake can be attributed to its failure to account for Wake Forest's ability to exploit Clemson's weaknesses on defense. Wake Forest's players were able to consistently find open shots and drive to the basket, resulting in a high shooting percentage and a significant advantage in terms of points in the paint. Additionally, the model may have overestimated Clemson's ability to shut down Wake Forest's offense, which has been inconsistent at times this season. However, on this particular day, Wake Forest's offense was clicking on all cylinders, and they were able to overcome Clemson's defensive efforts. Clemson's recent trend of outscoring opponents by 2.4 points per game over their last 5 games was also not enough to overcome Wake Forest's strong performance.

Wake Forest's win has real consequences for both teams' tournament pictures. With this win, Wake Forest improves to 14-12 on the season, and they may have just played themselves into the bubble conversation. On the other hand, Clemson's loss drops them to 20-7, and they may have hurt their chances of securing a high seed in the tournament.

The impact of this game on the tournament picture is clear: Wake Forest's win has given them a much-needed boost, and they may now be considered a legitimate contender for an at-large bid. Clemson, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus if they want to maintain their position as a top seed. The Quad 1 loss will likely drop Clemson a few spots in the NET rankings, while Wake Forest's Quad 2 win will help to improve their resume. Over the course of the season, Wake Forest has been struggling to find consistency, but this win may be the turning point they need to make a push for the tournament. With 6 games left to play, Wake Forest must continue to win if they want to stay in the conversation, but for now, they can celebrate a major upset victory over a top-ranked opponent.

The final score of 85-77 in favor of Wake Forest is a reflection of their strength and resilience as a team. Despite being ranked lower than Clemson, they were able to outplay them in almost every aspect of the game. Wake Forest's 45 points in the first half were a season high, and their 40 points in the second half were enough to maintain their lead and secure the win. Clemson, on the other hand, must go back to the drawing board and figure out what went wrong. They had been playing well over their last 5 games, but this loss is a setback that they must overcome if they want to achieve their goals. With 8 points separating the two teams at the end of the game, it's clear that Wake Forest was the better team on this particular day, and they deserve to celebrate their upset victory. Wake Forest's next game will be against a tough opponent, and they must be ready to play if they want to continue their winning streak. For now, they can enjoy the thrill of victory and the knowledge that they have just pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season.

HEADLINE: Wake Forest Demon Deacons Hold Off Clemson Tigers 85-77 Behind Juke Harris's 20 Points SUBHEADLINE: Wake Forest's upset victory over Clemson has major implications for both teams' seed lines, with Wake Forest improving to 14-12 and Clemson dropping to 20-7, a 3-game difference in the loss column.