The stretch run was set up nicely for Wake Forest, with three games against opponents with losing records.
After losing the first of those contests, the Demon Deacons can’t afford another blip when Louisville visits for an Atlantic Coast Conference game on Saturday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.
It’s time for the Wake Forest veterans to make an impact as the pressure builds.
“They’ve got to play at a high level this time of year,” Demon Deacons coach Steve Forbes said.
Wake Forest (21-8, 11-7 ACC) is in a tie for fifth place, but it remains in the mix for a pair of byes into the ACC tournament quarterfinals.
Louisville (12-15, 6-11) has won just one of its last nine games. That victory came Feb. 19 against Clemson, which turned around and beat Wake Forest on Wednesday night.
“We’ve got to find a way to execute down the stretch at both ends of the floor and get over the hump,” Louisville interim coach Mike Pegues said.
Since the Cardinals defeated Wake Forest 73-69 at home on Dec. 29, both teams have experienced significant developments — in opposite directions.
Wake Forest became a contender in the ACC, though losses in three of the past four games has dulled that bid. Louisville has gone through a coaching change, with former Wake Forest assistant coach Chris Mack fired as the Cardinals coach last month.
Wake Forest was without starter Isaiah Mucius (illness) and then Khadim Sy went down with an injury early in the 80-69 loss to Clemson. Sy’s status is unclear for the weekend, but the Demon Deacons are bound to have to dig into their depth.
“That’s why you’ve got to be ready,” Forbes said. “You never know when your opportunity is going to come.”
Damari Monsanto, making his first start of the season, posted a season-best 17 points for Wake Forest on Wednesday. Jake LaRavia added 15 points on 4-of-13 shooting while playing all 40 minutes.
“It’s something I have to move past,” LaRavia said. “We have to learn from this game and completely move on.”
After Saturday, the Demon Deacons have just one game remaining in the regular season.
This will be Louisville’s second visit to the state of North Carolina this week after falling 70-63 on Monday night at North Carolina. Again, the Cardinals were in position to pull out a victory, but the good plays were limited down the stretch.
“This team has to challenge themselves to do (the right things) more consistently and not beat ourselves,” Pegues said.
–Field Level Media
