The (5-1) Wisconsin Badgers will host the (6-1) Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Kohl Center on Tuesday, pitting ACC and Big Ten powers. It's the Badgers' first game back at home after finishing third in the Battle for Atlantis tournament, which they capped with a win over the USC Trojans. Wake Forest is coming off consecutive home routs of winless SC State and five-loss Hampton. Wisconsin is a six-point spread favorite, and the game total is 129.5 points.
The Demon Deacons are paced by two senior guards, Daivien Williamson and Tyree Appleby. Williamson is back for his third season at Wake Forest after transferring from East Tennessee State, while Appleby joins the team this season after spending the past four seasons split between Cleveland State and Florida. The duo is averaging 30.1 points per game this season, and Appleby leads the team in assists and steals. It's a fun combo to watch and one that could give the Badgers defense fits. Wake Forest also relies on contributions from junior forward Andrew Carr (12.0 PPG and 5.7 RPG), sophomore guard Cameron Hildreth (11.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.9 APG), and junior guard Damari Monsanto (9.3 PPG and 3.0 RPG).
Wake Forest could use a tough test, as this is its first true road game and its first opponent bringing significant value to its non-conference strength of schedule. The Demon Deacons will face off with Clemson and LSU i n consecutive games after playing the Badgers, and, after hosting Appalachian State, will play at Rutgers, home vs. Virginia Tech, and at UNC. That stretch will likely determine the Deacons' status as an ACC contender or pretender.
This year, Wake is scoring 81.7 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the floor. Its defense is allowing 68.4 points per game on 39.0 percent shooting.
First true road test of the year ??
???????? ??????/?????? ?? ??????????????????#GoDeacs ????https://t.co/JvTA18dSH2— Wake Basketball (@WakeMBB) November 28, 2022