I'm starting to write this recap before the game is even over. I have NEVER been more frustrated, ever. Never in Jeff Bzdelik's tenure at Wake have I been more straight-up irritated. The main reason for this is that we absolutely destroyed this team earlier this year in every way. It was I would say the most overall lopsided victory in the Bzdelik Era. Tonight's game, on the other hand, saw Wake get put in clown shoes.
In Winston, we out-rebounded the Noles by 20. Tonight, they out-rebounded us by more than that. We were soft inside, blew defensive assignments, and for some reason, adamantly refused to continue what worked. In the first half, Wake did an excellent job at the line, going 13-15 from the line and getting Florida State's bigs in foul trouble. So what happened in the second half? Wake didn't even get in the bonus. Travis McKie had 14 points in the first half, and hardly scored in the second. I understand guys key in on him on the defensive end, but really? In the first half, we drove to the basket and did smart things in transition. What happened in the second half? We passed the ball around the perimeter and got absolutely terrified the moment a defender stepped in front of one of our guys and played terrified in transition.
This team beat Miami, and it wasn't just a win, it was a genuine trip to the woodshed. It wasn't a fluke, we utterly bested the then #2 team in the nation. So what do we do? Turn around and lay an utter egg against a team we destroyed at home just because the colors on the floor are different. This hurts me. Why must this happen? There's no logical reason for any of it. This is worse than the last two years, because those teams weren't showing anything. Those teams weren't beating anybody. This team is capable of so much better, and they just don't do it. Whatever the problem is, it's a big one, and it's not okay. Go Deacs.
