Nothing to lose, everything to gain – NC State is not on the NCAAT bubble now, and that status doesn’t change with a loss. Unless, of course, the Deacs really destroy the Pack. That would indeed qualify as a significant setback, which could harm team confidence going forward.
This won’t be a full live blog, but I’ll try to periodically post some analysis in the main body text (likely during TV timeouts).
8:33 – You are witnessing what can happen when there is an extreme athleticism differential between basketball opponents. This is not good, and not likely to get much better. At this point, a 10-15 point loss seems like the best plausible outcome.
8:41 – State shows a little bit more life on offense, but it’s hard to cut into a lead when your opponent scores on almost every possession.
8:47 – Wake has gotten very complacent and even more stupid.
Halftime – Javi’s reckless last minute of play doesn’t blow up the margin nearly as badly as it could have. As dominant as Wake was for most of the half, I’m very happy to only be down 8.
9:10 – James Johnson is definitely drinking our milkshake.
9:14 – Wake goes brain dead again, and the Pack roars back within two. No way can the Deacs make a legit NCAA run with their lack of focus and basketball IQ.
9:18 – We need a sports psychologist to convince Degand that every opponent is Wake Forest.
9:26 – Wow, three bad calls on the same possession, and it’s STILL Wake’s ball. It remains a two point game, and Wake remains out of synch.
9:31 – Wake buys every single ball fake. Even Horner’s.
9:35 – The window is not quite shut, but the breeze is very faint. Deacs by 7 at the under 8 timeout. Javi actually having a very good offensive game (other than last minute of first half), but Ish Smith is eating him alive on the other end.
9:41 – Ish with the dagger. Shit.
9:45 – Degand at the line with Pack down 7. Three and a half left to play. I hope James Johnson at least bought our frontline flowers before this game started.
9:50 – Things look hopeful and Johnson slams the door again.
9:52 – Textbook full team defensive breakdown. This one’s in the books.
9:54 – Random rant – no player in the ACC is more overrated than Jeff Teague. He won’t be on my first team all-ACC ballot.
9:57 – Congrats to Miami on getting a huge road win tonight.
Your Final Score – Wake 85, State 78.
