Wake vs. USC Upstate: 1st Half

Halftime - 38-26. Strong finish by the Deacs, going on a 20 to 6 run in the last 7 minutes. Offense looks a little better than it did on Thursday, although at time the defense and rebounding have looked sloppy. James has played much better, already in double digit points and 5+ rebounds. Harvey Hale has certainly played a better game so far, but I think he's still capable of shooting a much higher percentage, or at least I hope so. A 12 point lead at the half is pretty good, considering the way we started. If we can keep that up and when by 25 or 30 points I'll be pretty satisfied. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions so far in the comments section.

0:45 - Block by either James or Skeen, couldn't tell but I think James. Skeen once again didn't go up strong enough to put it in with the foul, and only makes 1 freethrow. 36-26.

1:27 - Great ball movement on the last possession leads to great shot from Teauge. Lead back to 9, 35-26.

3:04 - Deacs are opening things up a bit, making some good plays and forcing some turnovers, even making some freethrows. Up 32-23

3:54- We've had several opportunities going to the basket where we've gotten fouled but not gone up strong enough to make the layup - just happened to LD. Getting those three point plays (or at least the opportunities) could help us out a lot, particularly considering our freethrow woes. Deacs up 28-23 with LD going to the line for 2.

5:01 - I know we've been shooting a poor percentage, and so to an extent I appreciate that the guys are being a bit more selective, but almost every time someone gets the ball they pump and pass, and eventually they make a bad pass. Thankfully Harvey just hit a 3 for us. James just got called for goal tending, not so sure it was though.

6:17 - James seems to spark the team with another 3, providing a 22-21 lead. After another turnover Upstate calls timeout.

7:23 - Deacs finally score again after giving up 5 points with a Skeen tip in. Down 18-20 right now. I feel like we're lacking in intensity on both sides of the ball. I'm surprised considering the loss Thursday, expected us to come out with some fire.

10:56 - Dunk by D Weav. We're letting them get an absurd amount of offensive rebounds. Another dunk from Weaver. 16-10 Deacs. Cam Stanley and Teauge now in the game as well after the timeout.

14:24 - Another three from Payne, we must do a better job getting out on that. Harvey got called for a charge, 1 four for him and for LD. Clark, Weaver, and Skeen come in off the officials timeout.

16:30 -James makes both his freethrows, Chas has made a good move, but we also gave up another three. They're getting off too many good shots. James has now scored 7 straight, Deacs lead 12-10.

18:16 - After a couple of turnovers (and a couple forced turnovers) Harvey hits his first shot for a 3. 3-3.

Tipoff - Starting Ish, Chas, LD, Harvey, and James. Upstate probably has the weirdeest uniforms I've ever seen. I'm not sure what to make of them. It's all green and the numbers and school name are just a white outline on the green, and the school name is vertial. Very strange. Payne, their leading scorer, opens with a 3. 0-3.

We're about 10 minutes from tip here, Wake looking to get back in form with a win over USC Upstate. Upstate is 0-6 so far to start the season, playing in their first season as a member of Division 1 and the Atlantic Sun Conference. Although they were apparently very good in their D-2 conference the last several years, they've not suprisingly struggled to start their Division 1 tenure.

Wake looks to bounce back after their 59-63 loss to Charlotte on Thursday. Chas McFarland, who's dad is (as far as I know) still in the hospital, is here and in the starting lineup this afternoon.

Pretty thin crowd as of right now. Hopefully we'll fill it up a bit more as the game starts, but I'm not expecting a huge crowd today.