Southern Methodist's impressive 91-79 victory over Wake Forest at the LJVM Coliseum on January 20 was a reflection of the Mustangs' balanced offense and strong team play. Led by B.J. Edwards' outstanding performance, SMU controlled the game from start to finish, outscoring the Demon Deacons in both halves. Edwards finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, showcasing his versatility and skill.
Wake Forest's Juke Harris was the lone bright spot for the Demon Deacons, scoring 27 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. However, despite Harris' best efforts, the Demon Deacons were unable to keep pace with SMU's high-powered offense. Tre'Von Spillers and Myles Colvin added 19 and 17 points, respectively, for Wake Forest, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mustangs' dominant performance.
The game unfolded with SMU taking an early lead, scoring 45 points in the first half to Wake Forest's 36. The Mustangs continued to pull away in the second half, scoring 46 points to the Demon Deacons' 43. SMU's ability to maintain a consistent level of play throughout the game was a key factor in their victory.
CHD Scout Report Card
INCORRECTPredicted
Final
Notably, CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Wake Forest winning by a narrow margin of 0.1 points, but the actual outcome was far more one-sided. The predicted score of 79-82 was also off the mark, as SMU's offense was too much for the Demon Deacons to handle.
The victory is a significant boost to SMU's resume, as it marks a Quadrant 1 win for the Mustangs. With a current net ranking of 33, SMU is solidifying its position as a tournament contender. On the other hand, the loss is a Quadrant 2 defeat for Wake Forest, which may impact their tournament chances. The Demon Deacons, currently ranked 65th in the net rankings, must regroup and refocus in order to stay in the tournament conversation.
As the season progresses, SMU's win over Wake Forest will be an important factor in their tournament resume. The Mustangs' ability to win on the road against a quality opponent like the Demon Deacons demonstrates their strength and depth. With this victory, SMU takes a significant step forward in their pursuit of a tournament berth, while Wake Forest must bounce back from this loss to remain in contention. The implications of this result will be closely watched as the tournament picture continues to take shape.