Final Analysis: Wake vs. BYU
Although I watched the game on ACC Select last night, Old Gold & Blog Correspondent Stephen Edwards attended in person and checks in with this full analysis of the big win over BYU.
As I was talking with Zach during my two and a half hour drive to Winston yesterday afternoon, we talked about how HUGE of a game the Deacs had tonight in the Joel, and how GOOD we both felt BYU was. As I listened to good ol’ Stan Cotten’s pregame on ISP Sports, and listened to BYU’s numbers on the year and further analysis on how well they played against UNC and
The Demon Deacons responded emphatically with their best performance (only Vandy on the road comes close), and win of the season. Wake jumped out to a quick lead of 49-32 at the break, and played the Cougars to an even 30-30 in the second half as BYU’s shooting heated up.
BYU’s Trent Plaisted is a great player, and a big-time prospect, but Chas McFarland did one of the better interior post defensive jobs I have seen in a long time holding him to a measly 8 points, well below his season average. (Just a week earlier BYU’s big man tore up the Tar Heels down the road in
JT and JJ. Boy are these guys FUN to watch. Jeff Teague had a career night with one of the better stat lines you will see from a freshman guard halfway through their first season: 26 points, 5 steals, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 assists in 35 minutes of play. That is really really special and my congrats to Jeff on one of the better shooting games I have seen in my years as a Wake fan from a point guard not named Chris Paul, Randolph Childress, or Taron Downey (8-10 from the floor and 8-8 from the line!). JT’s 2011 running mate James Johnson also had another of his workmanlike nights that we are growing accustomed to: 19 points (at least 8 of which came on HIGH-flying SLAMS) and 7 rebounds.
I am so proud of how Ish has developed since the tough SEC stretch earlier in the year and how he decided to become the floor general and leader that we desperately needed. Another amazing game tonight for Ish when it comes to being an efficient PG and making your teammates better. Ish had 10 points, SEVEN REBOUNDS, 4 assists to 2 TURNOVERS in 37 minutes of play. Committing only 2 turnovers in 37 minutes in such a high paced game is impressive.
The 2007-2008 Demon Deacons are really becoming a DYNAMITE squad to watch. I cannot say enough about the job that Coach Dino and his staff has done on preaching hard-nosed defense from the get-go, ingraining the importance of hustle, effort, and hard work that Wake basketball teams did not previously value. The Deacs could not have been anymore prepared last night and they made many great in game adjustments to avoid long scoring droughts and to kill BYU’s momentum, resulting in a commanding victory, 79-62.
These next few weeks are a very important; the Deacs need to distance themselves from the teams in the ACC that are talented but are struggling to find an identity right now. BC,
I cannot wait to be back in the Joel on the 20th as the Deacons look to continue their fine play against the Seminoles, and keep intact the longest active home court winning streak in the ACC.
“We’re going to be good again.” –Coach Skip Prosser
ONE TEAM, ONE FIGHT! Skip would be proud…
As always, great analysis from Steve. He is certainly a valuable asset for the Old Gold & Blog.
