Wake Forest's sliding NCAA hopes on the line vs. Virginia

Field Level Media|published: Tue 25th February, 19:32 2025

NCAA Basketball: Florida State at Wake Forest

Feb 12, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Steve Forbes during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Wake Forest had avoided the pitfalls of what might be considered "bad losses" for most of the season.

After absorbing a couple of them recently, the Demon Deacons can ill afford another when Virginia visits for an Atlantic Coast Conference game Wednesday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Wake Forest (19-8, 11-5 ACC) clings to a share of fourth place despite losses in two of its last three games. Virginia (13-14, 6-10), which has dropped its last two games, still has work to do to secure a spot in the 15-team field for the ACC tournament.

The Deacons' puzzling 85-73 defeat Saturday at North Carolina State put a dent in their NCAA Tournament resume.

"I didn't think we came in with a sense of urgency," Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes said.

At least Wake Forest had guard Cameron Hildreth back after a one-game absence with a foot injury. The team's No. 2 scorer posted a team-high 16 points against NC State.

A plus at times for Wake Forest has been the impact from Omaha Biliew, who was sidelined for much of the season with injuries. Though he played limited minutes versus NC State, he could be a factor down the stretch of the season.

"He has got great energy and has done a really good job of staying in tune with what we've been doing, even when he has not been playing," Forbes said.

Virginia's 81-66 loss Saturday at North Carolina involved a big early deficit inspired by its inability to be competent defensively.

"They kept kicking the ball out of the screens and we were late getting out for the majority of the day," Virginia interim coach Ron Sanchez said. "They had a lot of easy, catch-and-shoot 3s. ... We have to contest the 3-point line better without fouling. (It's) something we have to look at and address and get better."

That might not be a huge challenge against Wake Forest, which attempted only nine threes in its last game.

Guard Isaac McKneely has led Virginia in scoring in five of the last seven games - posting anywhere from 17 to 26 points in those outings.

Virginia stands 3-6 in road games this season, though the Cavaliers had won three straight on the road until the North Carolina game.

--Field Level Media

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