Wake Forest vs. North Carolina: Who’s Got the Edge?

Tuesday night in Winston-Salem, N.C., Wake Forest and North Carolina go head-to-head in a high-stakes ACC showdown. The Demon Deacons are on fire, while the Tar Heels are trying to find their footing.

Wake Forest: Riding High

• Deacons on a Roll: Wake Forest (14-4, 6-1) is crushing it with a five-game win streak. Their latest victory, a 72-63 win over Virginia Tech, shows they mean business in ACC play.
• Key Players Leading the Charge:
  • Hunter Sallis: Averaging 19.5 points per game, playing the most minutes in the ACC (35.9 per game), and coming off a 24-point, 7-rebound game.
  • Cameron Hildreth: Dropped 21 points against Virginia Tech and is known for his relentless, physical style of play.
• Coach Steve Forbes is Confident: “We’re locked in and focused. Hunter and Cam are leading the way. Cam’s like a wishbone fullback—tough and unstoppable,” said Forbes.
• What’s on the Line: Beating UNC would be a Quad 2 win, boosting their NCAA hopes. Right now, Wake is just 1-4 in Quad 1 and 2 games, so every win matters.

North Carolina: Trying to Bounce Back

• Tar Heels’ Struggles: North Carolina (12-7, 5-2) had a four-game win streak snapped in a heartbreaking 72-71 loss to Stanford. Their inconsistent shooting keeps holding them back.
• Players to Watch:
  • RJ Davis: Scored 19 points in the loss to Stanford and remains a reliable scorer.
  • Ian Jackson: Averages 15.2 PPG but struggled against Stanford, missing double digits for the first time in nine games.
• Shooting Woes: UNC is 1-4 when shooting under 28% from three, like their 27.8% performance against Stanford.
• Coach Hubert Davis Reflects: “Basketball’s like life—some days are sunny, some are rainy. We made too many little mistakes,” Davis said.

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Game Themes

• Wake Forest’s Momentum: The Deacons are confident and clicking. Sallis and Hildreth will be key as they look to exploit UNC’s weaknesses.
• North Carolina’s Challenge: To win, the Tar Heels need to hit their shots and clean up their game. RJ Davis and Ian Jackson will need to step up big.

What to Expect

• For Wake Forest: With a five-game streak and home-court advantage, the Deacons are ready to keep rolling.
• For North Carolina: The Tar Heels need a complete game—better shooting, fewer errors, and stronger defense—to avoid another loss.

Why It’s a Big Deal

This game could shape the rest of the season for both teams. Wake Forest wants to lock in their NCAA Tournament spot, while North Carolina is fighting to stay in the ACC race. With so much on the line, this one’s going to be intense. Don’t miss it!