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The (8-3) Wake Forest Demon Deacons and (6-4) Rutgers Scarlet Knights are facing off in an ACC-Big Ten conference clash this Saturday at Jersey Mike's Arena. Wake Forest defeated Appalachian State 67-66 on Wednesday, and Rutgers lost 45-43 to Seton Hall on Sunday. WFU is 1-1 in road games this season, while RU is 6-1 at home. Tip-off is at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Wake Forest snapped a two-game losing streak on Wednesday, as junior forward Andrew Carr scored 20 points, including a buzzer-beater on an inbounds pass. The one-point win over the Mountaineers was crucial for a Demon Deacons squad reeling after dropping its first conference matchup versus Clemson with 12th-ranked Duke looming. Wake Forest was outshot from the floor 52.7 percent to 41.7 percent but never trailed by double digits, leaning on Carr and senior guard Tyree Appleby (15 points, four assists, and three steals) to lead the way.
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— Wake Basketball (@WakeMBB) December 16, 2022
Wake Forest is scoring 76.7 points per game, shooting 46.7 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from three-point range. Appleby paces WFU in scoring with 18.7 points per game on 51.6 percent shooting from the field. He is doubtful for the Rutgers game with an ankle injury. Wake's offensive efficiency rating, adjusted for schedule, is ranked 74th in the NCAA, per KenPom. The Demon Deacons' assist-to-turnover ratio is 0.99, 158th-best in the nation.
Wake Forest is surrendering 69.9 points per game on 41.7 percent shooting, including 33.2 percent from long range. Its opponents are also shooting 68.9 percent from the foul line. Wake's adjusted defensive efficiency rating is 103rd in the NCAA.
The Demon Deacons are in for a challenging stretch of games, starting Saturday at Rutgers. Wake will also play Duke, followed by Virginia Tech and North Carolina. While it's familiar with those last three opponents, overlooking the Scarlet Knights would be unwise. Road games at “The RAC,” the arena's informal name, are uncomfortable, given the old-school setting with fans sitting closer to the court. Rutgers has appeared in consecutive NCAA tournaments and will be hunting for respect from its ACC foe.