Home Preview: What UVA Basketball fans need to know about Wake Forest
Go 'Hoos

Preview: What UVA Basketball fans need to know about Wake Forest

Chris Graham
uva basketball
Photo: Mike Ingalls/AFP

The Virginia kids talked, ahead of the Duke game, about the need to respect their opponent. Probably went overboard there: they practically asked for autographs and posed for selfies instead of trying to compete.

Let’s see if the ‘Hoos can get back on track Tuesday night against a Wake Forest team that seems to be better than me than its 15-14 record would seem to indicate.

The Deacs played Duke better in Cameron, lost by one in OT to Michigan – that one was back in November, but still.

And they’re 4-2 in their last six.

I wouldn’t look past them, is what I’m saying.

Game Details


Wake Forest (15-14, 6-10 ACC, NET: 69) at Virginia (25-4, 13-3 ACC, NET: 15)
Day/Time: Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ACCN

Podcast


Getting to know: Wake Forest


6’7” sophomore Juke Harris is a big-time scorer (21.4 ppg, 6.6 rebounds/g, 45.4% FG, 34.7% 3FG, 7.0 FTAs/g).

I wonder who Ryan Odom puts on him, since Wake goes with a two-guard, three-forward lineup for about 65 percent of its minutes, with Harris alongside 6’7” senior Tre’Von Spillers (10.9 ppg, 5.7 rebounds/g, 54.2% FG, 33.3% 3FG), 6’8” junior Omaha Biliew (6.0 ppg, 43.4% FG, 35.4% 3FG) and 6’10” junior Cooper Schwieger (5.3 ppg, 54.8% FG, 39.3% 3FG).

The lineup has size – the starter the past two games at the point is 6’4” freshman Isaac Carr (6.5 ppg 22.5 minutes/g over the past two), and the off-guard is 6’5” junior Myles Colvin (12.2 ppg, 41.6% FG, 37.6% 3FG).

Colvin had 32 points (9-of-12 FG, 7-of-8 3FG, 7-of-7 FT) in Wake’s 88-83 win over Syracuse on Saturday.

The other options at guard are 6’5” sophomore Mehki Mason (7.1 ppg, 37.1% FG, 32.2% 3FG) and 6’2” sophomore Sebastian Akins (5.3 ppg, 41.4% FG, 14.3% 3FG).

Analytics: Wake Forest vs. UVA


Data: KenPom and CBB Analytics; rankings: among 365 D1 teams

Points per possession

Wake Forest offense: 1.171 PPP (66)
Virginia defense:
 0.963 PPP (16)

Virginia offense: 1.225 PPP (29)
Wake Forest defense: 1.065 PPP (111)

At the Rim

Wake Forest offense: 290/431, 66.1% (FGA/g: 323; FG%: 81)
Virginia defense: 264/474, 55.7% (FGA/g: 83; FG%: 17)

Virginia offense: 367/581, 63.2% (FGA/g: 104; FG%: 150)
Wake Forest defense: 316/472, 66.9% (FGA/g: 79; FG%: 320)

Paint 2s

Wake Forest offense: 165/345, 47.8% (FGA/g: 92; FG%: 34)
Virginia defense: 136/367, 37.1% (FGA/g: 307; FG%: 32)

Virginia offense: 116/266, 43.6% (FGA/g: 262; FG%: 118)
Wake Forest defense: 129/295, 43.7% (FGA/g: 157: FG%: 240)

Midrange 2s

Wake Forest offense: 69/188, 36.7% (FGA/g: 148; FG%: 176)
Virginia defense: 83/236, 35.2% (FGA/g: 336; FG%: 134)

Virginia offense: 40/96, 41.7% (FGA/g: 326; FG%: 47)
Wake Forest defense: 50/132, 37.9% (FGA/g: 35; FG%: 226)

Threes

Wake Forest offense: 263/768, 34.2% (3FGA/g: 62; 3FG%: 168)
Virginia defense:
 194/631, 30.7% (3FGA/g: 120; 3FG%: 35)

Virginia offense: 294/825, 35.6% (3FGA/g: 29; 3FG%: 86)
Wake Forest defense: 265/795, 33.3% (3FGA/g: 347; 3FG%: 141)

Free throws

Wake Forest defense: 20.6 FTAs/g (180); 76.7% (39)
Virginia defense: 19.8 FTAs/g (138)

Virginia offense: 20.6 FTAs/g (177); 71.6% (219)
Wake Forest defense: 21.1 FTAs/g (220)

Rebounds

Offensive-Wake Forest: 30.4% (193)
Defensive-Virginia:
 71.3% (98)

Offensive-Virginia: 38.5% (7)
Defensive-Wake Forest: 67.4% (287)

Turnover rate

Wake Forest offense: 15.5% (95)
Virginia defense:
 16.0% (233)

Virginia offense: 15.9% (126)
Wake Forest defense: 18.6% (79)

Analysis


Wake is too soft defensively – they give up a lot at the rim and in the paint, and don’t rebound well.

They can score, but could have a challenge against Virginia’s elite interior defense.

I would look for Virginia to get healthy offensively after the ugly outing at Duke.

Forecast


KenPom: Virginia 81-67
BartTorvik: Virginia 80-67
ESPN BPI: Virginia +11.1

ICYMI: UVA Basketball recent archives


Video


 

Support AFP

Newsletter

Featured Video

 

 




Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected]. Support AFP by signing up for our newsletter and/or powering our work with a one-time or monthly contribution.

Latest News

NBA game basketball arena defense
Basketball

When Dr. J ruled the ABA: Remembering the Virginia Squires, 50 years later

augusta county sheriff accident police crash
Local

Augusta County: Wave of larcenies reported in Fishersville subdivision overnight

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is reporting on Friday that it has received multiple reports of larcenies from motor vehicles in the Emerald Hills subdivision in Fishersville that occurred in the overnight hours from Thursday into Friday. 

congress
Politics, Virginia

Blue Wave: Virginia Democrats seek leadership roles in next Congress

Tim Kaine wants to be the next Senate Budget Committee chair, and Bobby Scott, the dean of the Virginia congressional delegation, has backing to return as the chair of the House Committee on Education & Labor.

Krystle Rinker front
Local

Missing person: Augusta County authorities searching for Staunton woman

uva basketball ryan odom
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

UVA Basketball: Don’t be upset at the underwhelming prep recruiting news

soccer sunset football gloves match
Go 'Hoos, Sports

Women’s Soccer: Virginia advances to ACC title game with 1-0 win over Notre Dame

Pillar to Post Pro-Wrestling Podcast
Pro Wrestling

Pillar to Post | Eddie Guerrero & The Steiners vs. Cactus Jack, Dean Malenko, 2 Cold Scorpio