Opinion
3 min read

Can Wake Forest Demon Deacons Outmaneuver North Carolina State Wolfpack at PNC Arena?

As the Wake Forest Demon Deacons prepare to face off against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at PNC Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The upcoming clash on January 16 is poised to be a pivotal moment in the Demon Deacons' season, and there's plenty of data to suggest they have what it takes to emerge victorious.


Jan 28, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;  North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Jarkel Joiner (1) drives during the second half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports

In their recent game on January 13 against the Virginia Cavaliers, WAKE showcased a dominant performance that should have the Wolfpack worried. With an impressive 66 points scored and a staggering field goal percentage of 50 percent, WAKE demonstrated their ability to efficiently convert plays into points. Their two-point shooting was particularly noteworthy at an impressive 52 percent success rate.


Moreover, WAKE's defensive prowess cannot be overlooked. They racked up eight blocks and four steals in their last outing, which contributed significantly to their victory over UVA. This defensive solidity will be crucial when they go up against NCST.


Jan 28, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;  North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Terquavion Smith (0) drives past Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Daivien Williamson (4) during the second half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports

The rebounding statistics from that game also paint a promising picture for WAKE fans; with a total of 41 rebounds compared to UVA's 26, it’s clear that WAKE has an edge in controlling the boards – both offensively and defensively.


However, it would be remiss not to consider NCST’s home advantage and how this could play into the dynamics of the upcoming game. The energy at PNC Arena is known for being electric and could provide just enough boost for NCST.


Jan 28, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;   North Carolina State Wolfpack forward D.J. Burns Jr. (30) moves around Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Matthew Marsh (33) during the second half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back further into WAKE's season provides additional insights into their capabilities under pressure. Despite suffering a narrow loss on January 10 against Florida State Seminoles with a scoreline of 82-87, they showed resilience by maintaining high shooting percentages across all fronts: field goals (48 percent), three-pointers (36 percent), and free throws (81 percent). This level of consistency will serve them well as they aim for redemption after that hard-fought battle.


WAKE also displayed remarkable tenacity in an overtime thriller on January 6 where they edged out Miami Hurricanes with an exhilarating scoreline of 86-82. Their ability to perform under extended pressure situations bodes well for any close encounters expected against NCST.


With these performances in mind, it seems likely that if WAKE can maintain their offensive efficiency while continuing to dominate defensively as seen in previous games – especially through blocks and rebounds – there is every reason for fans to believe in a win at Raleigh come game night.


Demon Deacon supporters should mark their calendars for Tuesday evening when these two teams collide at PNC Arena starting at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. For those unable or preferring not to attend live can catch all the action nationally broadcasted on ACC Network channel number six hundred twelve.

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