Memphis and Wake Forest are set to clash on Friday evening in the Bahamas, following narrow defeats to top teams in college basketball. Both squads showcased their resilience and competitive spirit, with Memphis battling Purdue closely before succumbing by nine points, providing a glimmer of promise as they covered the spread. On the other hand, Wake Forest fought valiantly against Texas Tech, ultimately falling by just a single point.
As they prepare for this matchup, Memphis holds a record of three consecutive losses, having started the season with a victory against San Francisco. Despite the setbacks, the Tigers possess some veteran presence in point guard Dug McDaniel, who adds leadership and experience. However, concerns have emerged regarding the overall star power of the Memphis lineup, which appears less formidable than anticipated.
Contrastingly, Wake Forest has demonstrated a tenacious start to their season, nearly upsetting powerhouse teams. Just last week, they pushed Michigan to the brink in another nail-biting one-point loss. Juke Harris has emerged as a standout player, benefiting from a strong supporting cast that exceeds the depth available to Memphis.
The statistics favor the Demon Deacons significantly, as they rank much higher than Memphis in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Currently, Wake is positioned 28th defensively, indicating their ability to disrupt opponents and create scoring droughts. This game presents an opportunity for Wake Forest to finally break through and secure a much-deserved victory against a team they seem stronger than.
This matchup not only carries the weight of competitive spirit but also the potential for Wake Forest to assert itself in a meaningful way this season.