UNCG (6-6) @ Wake Forest (9-2)

When: Saturday, December 21 2:00 pm
Where: Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (14,665)
TV: ESPN3

Wake Forest Athletics

Preseason preview

UNCG Stats
Last Game: James Madison (W 78-65) Recap
PPG: 75.3
RPG: 37.0
APG: 14.5
Leader Points: Kyle Cain (16.0)
Leader Reboudns: Kyle Cain (8.0)
Leader Assists: Tevon Saddler (3.6)
FG%: 47.3
3 Pt %: 39.3
FT: 68.0

Wake Forest Stats
Last Game: St. Bonaventure (W 77-62) Recap
PPG: 79.2
RPG 43.8
APG: 15.8
Leader Points: Codi Miller-McIntyre (18.1)
Leader Rebounds: Devin Tomas (9.5)
Leader Assists: Codi Miller-McIntyre (4.4)
FG %: 45.8
3 Pt %: 35.3
FT%: 64.7

Thoughts
Wake Forest has been the one of the ACC's little whipping boys for the past few seasons. The last two years, all UNCG have have pointed to Wake Forest as the one big named team on our schedule that we might could take down. Well, all of that has change this year. The Demon Deacons are much improved on both ends of the floor. They have more talent and are deeper than in years past. The one major hopeful spot for UNCG is this will be played on the Saturday before Christmas. There will be very few students there and probably few fans in general will be at the LJVM.

As for what to look for in this game, Wake Forest has several good shooters in their lineup. Codi Miller-McIntyre, Travis McKie and new addition Coron Williams all shoot the 3 well. It will keep teams for doubling down into the post to stop Devin Thomas. Thomas will be a problem for UNCG all day. I assume we will see every big man take a turn guarding him.

For UNCG to be successful, they will need to do the same things they did to win on Wednesday night. They must continue to take care of the ball, look to make the right extra pass and get quality shots every time down the floor. On nights when they've done those things this season, their offense has been very good. To beat an ACC opponent on their home floor, the Spartans need to keep their composure and focus for a full 40 minutes. And they need to make shots. Another 11-19 from 3 performance would go a long way to pulling the upset.

If Wake is already mentally on Christmas break and UNCG can carry over it's good play from Wednesday, then they have a very real chance to make things interesting. The Spartans will need to seize every opportunity though. I hope they can do just that. Go Spartans !!!