In recent days, the basketball fortunes of Clemson and Wake Forest have taken divergent paths. Clemson, formerly ranked 20th in the AP Top 25, has encountered a challenging period, marked by two consecutive defeats. This slide includes an unexpected home loss to Virginia Tech and a subsequent defeat against top-ranked Duke, leading to their exit from the national rankings. Head coach Brad Brownell emphasized the team's need to remember their identity and the foundations of their past success, particularly highlighting the importance of strong defense and cohesive team play.
Conversely, Wake Forest has experienced a notable upswing. After enduring a five-game losing streak overall and a four-game home skid, the Demon Deacons have secured back-to-back victories, triumphing over Georgia Tech and then staging a comeback win at home against Stanford. Coach Steve Forbes expressed his determination to improve their home record, acknowledging that the fans deserve better performances. A key factor in Wake Forest's recent success has been the outstanding play of sophomore guard Juke Harris, who has led the team in scoring in their last four games, averaging an impressive 26 points per contest, despite facing intensified defensive pressure from opponents.
As these two teams prepare to clash, Clemson's immediate goal is to halt their losing streak and reaffirm their position in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while Wake Forest aims to sustain their winning momentum and climb higher in the ACC standings, ideally avoiding the bottom three spots to secure a berth in the upcoming ACC tournament. The Tigers' offense has struggled, reaching 70 points only once in their last five outings. Brownell acknowledged the difficulties of playing without a clear primary scorer, stressing the necessity of minimizing errors. Despite a recent dip in performance, the coach remains confident in his team's capabilities, urging them not to let a tough week derail their season. RJ Godfrey, with an average of 11.6 points per game, leads Clemson in scoring, though his recent performances have seen him surpass 10 points only twice in the last nine games. In their loss to Duke, Carter Welling contributed 12 points and Godfrey added 10, with Brownell commending his team's defensive effort despite the offensive challenges. This upcoming game represents a crucial opportunity for both teams to either reverse their fortunes or continue their ascent, showcasing the competitive spirit and resilience inherent in collegiate basketball.