In a closely contested matchup, Wake Forest Demon Deacons outlasted Syracuse Orange 88-83, capping a 5-point victory. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Demon Deacons holding a slim 42-46 advantage at halftime before pulling away in the second half to a 46-37 lead.
The Demon Deacons' win marked a significant upset, as they entered the game ranked #65 in the NET rankings, while the Orange were ranked #76.
A 29-point, 10-rebound performance from Myles Colvin set the tone for Wake Forest, as he shot 92.3% from the field, 87.5% from three and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. His ability to score from multiple levels, paired with his defensive presence, proved to be a significant challenge for the Syracuse defense.
With the game on the line, Tre'Von Spillers stepped up, contributing 16 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. His shooting efficiency was a notable aspect of his performance, converting 66.7% of his field goal attempts. The freshman standout Juke Harris also played a key role, registering 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, despite shooting just 26.7% from beyond the arc.
Donnie Freeman's 28 points on 9-13 shooting from the field and 4-7 from three-point range were a bright spot for Syracuse, but ultimately not enough to propel the team to victory. His 5 rebounds and 0 assists also highlighted the challenges the Orange faced in supporting their leading scorer. Despite Freeman's impressive shooting, the Orange's offense struggled to find rhythm and consistency.
Nate Kingz's 20 points on 7-12 shooting from the field, including 5-9 from three-point range, were a valuable contribution, but his lack of rebounding and assists limited the impact of his scoring. Finishing with 13 points, Naithan George's production was hindered by a relatively quiet shooting night, with only 4 of his 8 field goal attempts finding the net. His 10 assists, however, highlighted his passing ability, but were not enough to overcome the team's overall shooting woes.
The remaining members of both teams largely adhered to their established season averages.
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Final
The final score of 88-83 in favor of Wake Forest was a relatively close outcome, but not a surprising one, given the pre-game prediction of a 7.6-point margin of victory for the Demon Deacons. In retrospect, the actual result was consistent with expectations, as Wake Forest's offense continued to thrive in the absence of any significant resistance from Syracuse.
The deciding factors in this contest were Wake Forest's elevated shooting percentages and its ability to dominate the glass on the offensive end. The Demon Deacons' sharpshooting was particularly evident, as their three-point shooting percentage ballooned to 56.3% from its season average of 34.2%. Meanwhile, their rebounding prowess allowed them to secure a significant advantage in second-chance opportunities, as their 40.0% OREB rate far exceeded their season average. These two factors combined to give Wake Forest a significant edge in the game, ultimately contributing to their narrow but decisive victory.
The loss for Syracuse, coupled with their already unimpressive Quad 1 performance, will likely further jeopardize their at-large tournament hopes, making a conference tournament auto-bid their only realistic pathway to the Big Dance. In contrast, Wake Forest's victory in a Quad 3 game will provide a much-needed boost to their resume, potentially catapulting them into the discussion for an at-large bid, although they remain on the bubble. If the Demon Deacons do secure a spot, their Quad 1 win over Syracuse could serve as a significant selling point, but they still face an uphill battle in terms of seeding.
Wake Forest's Quad 1 win is a 'difference-maker' in a crowded bubble landscape.