This one was big for the Deacs. I said after the NC State game that the next game was crucial for a team that looked like it was losing its confidence, and Wake was up for the challenge. The game went right down to the final possession, but the Deacs were able to pull it out a win 81-78.
The biggest difference in this game and the previous 2 for the Deacs was the shot selection. Instead of putting up a huge number of 3-pointers, Wake finally worked on getting the ball inside and generated some easy baskets in the paint. Senior guard Nate Calmese was getting in the lane at will against the Hokies, either finishing with a floater or dumping the ball off for alley-oops or open 3-pointers.
Calmese had one of his best games as a Deac, finishing with 25 points and 7 assists to lead Wake Forest. That is a nice way to bounce back after the NC State where he did not score.
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Wake also did a much better job of getting Tre’von Spillers involved in the offense against the Hokies. Spillers finished with 15 points on 7-13 shooting, including a massive and-1 basket that gave Wake a 2 point lead with 1 minute remaining in the game. With Spillers and Calmese attacking the basket, Wake was able to outscore Virginia Tech 40-24 in the paint—that is a massive difference from the offense we have seen over the past couple of games.
With the game tied at 76, it was Nate Calmese who put the team on his back, drilling a step back 3-pointer with 6 seconds remaining to give Wake their first ACC win of the season.
That may not be the best shot in the situation or what Steve Forbes drew up at the timeout, but the only thing that really matters is that it went in. The point guard has always been the most important player in Forbes’s system, so if Calmese can continue to play like he did today for the rest of the season, I think the Deacs still have a shot at making the big dance in March.That may not have been a perfect game from Wake Forest, but it definitely showed that the Deacs are making improvements and can get back to playing winning basketball. Hopefully the win will improve the confidence and morale of the team, as 4 of their next 5 games are against teams ranked in the top 40 of the NET.
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You couldn’t ask for a better weekend for Wake Forest sports.
Go Deacs!
