by Sharon Thorsland
Two of the best teams in the ACC face off tonight as North Carolina takes on Wake Forest in the Dean Dome. The Tar Heels are riding an 8-game win streak after a win over Pitt on Saturday and are undefeated in conference play. The Demon Deacons are coming off a blowout of Louisville that improved them to 13-5 overall and 5-2 in the ACC. Tip-off is set for 7:00 on WBT.
Wake has a deep and dangerous offense, with four players averaging at last 14 points per game. They’ve got a trio of outstanding guards in Central Michigan transfer Kevin Miller, Gonzaga transfer Hunters Sallis, and Cam Hildreth. Miller and Sallie are both averaging over 17 points per game while Hildreth adds over 15 a contest. Forward Andrew Carr has been one of Wake’s best players this season, averaging over 14 points and seven rebounds a game.
Making the Deacs even more dangerous now is the return of guard Demario Monsanto. The sharp-shooting senior is back from a season ending knee injury last February, and hit four 3-pointers against Louisville. Wake leads the ACC in three-pointers averaging 9.5 per game, and has NINE players who are hitting at least 33 percent from behind the arc. That’s been an area that has given the Heels trouble this season, they gave up 44% from three against Louisville. But they’re still one of the best defensive teams in the country, holding teams to less than 40% shooting from the floor.
With a guard-centered game, the Deacs don’t get as much production from their big men. Efton Reid starts at center with Matthew Marsh rotating in. They’ll battle UNC’s Armando Bacot, who leads the ACC in rebounding. Go Heels!
