The Spartans are struggling at 2-7, but have played several close games against ACC schools. They need to come up with some wins. It's time for them to start winning some games, and they will have an opportunity to do just that at home against Wake Forest.
The Demon Deacons are 5-5, including a terrible 26 point loss to Iona. However, the last time out, they beat Furman by 24. Wake Forest needs to keep the positive momentum going as well against the SoCon school. After this game, they play Xavier and then head to number one Duke. So this is a chance to get well.
Wake Forest relies heavily on CJ Harris. Harris shoots over 52% from the floor and 42.5% from three point range. He averages 14.3 points per game, which leads the team. All this from a 6-3 guard. His 2.1 assists per game are second on the team. Harris will be a handful for any offense to handle. He is so good at getting to the basket and at taking long jumpers.
Travis McKie is a 6-7 junior. He leads the team in rebounding with 8.3 boards per game. He also is scoring 13.6 points per game. After a mini slump over the course of three games, where he averaged 8.7 points per game and did not score in double digits in any game, he has scored sixteen in each of the last two. In the other seven games, he has averaged 15.7 points per game- which is much more in line with his scoring last year, when he averaged 16.1 points per game. McKie would be a handful for any Spartans player to try to control.
Devin Thomas will also be a handful for any Spartan. He is 6-9, 240 pounds. He only averages 6.0 points per game, but he is second on the team in rebounds with 5.3 boards per game. How a guy that big struggles to score against Furman is beyond me, though. He scored just seven against the Paladins, and was shut out against Nebraska earlier this year.
Derrell Armstrong was suspended indefinitely prior to the Spartans last game against UNCW. He is averaging 15.4 points per game. If he does not play, a lot of the Spartans offense will be taken out of sync. If he does play, then the Spartans will have an opportunity to win. Armstrong is also the second leading rebounder for the Spartans, averaging 5.8 boards per contest.
Trevis Simpson is the Spartans best player. He is averaging 19.8 points per game. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per game. Simpson is a very good player, and is tough for anyone to handle. He is a 6-4 junior. I must admit, he is one of my favorite players to watch play in the SoCon, even if he is not the best player in the conference. He has scored 14 or more points in every game this year.
The problem for the Spartans is that they have not played good defense so far. They seem to be unable to defend, particularly in the post. UNCG does not have the height to contain some of the bigger Wake Forest players. Of course, the Spartans should be able to score points too. They play offense without any set plays, and they don't play great defense. This is going to be interest.
LEAD PIPE LOCK PREDICTIONS THAT ARE SURE TO GO WRONG
--Armstrong will not play.
--Thomas will actually score in double figures.
--McKie too.
--While we're at it, might as well throw in that Harris will have a big game. It's not like the Spartans have been stopping anyone.
--Wake Forest will jump out to a big early lead and the Spartans will battle back in the second half- just like they keep on doing every game.
--Simpson will score huge points.
--Wake Forest 86, UNCG 79. The Demon Deacons are not a great team, but the Spartans defense is not good. That will really cost UNCG. The Spartans will keep it close, but they will have no defense for McKie, and Thomas will do well enough as well.
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