Boeheim finally goes down
Wake Forest finally overcomes their demons in late game collapses, Syracuse and ACC play in general by taking down the Syracuse Orange
From the get-go Wake looked like they would be in complete control of this game. After starting with a 6-6 draw, the Deacs took the lead and pushed it all the way up to a 25-18 lead and seemed poised to keep breaking the zone by getting it in between the zone to Bryant Crawford who would either turn and pop one, kick it out to an open shooter, or hit a patented Dorally-oop.
Then... things got a bit weird. The Orange got hot, Deacs had some shoddy D and questionable at best lineups when Keyshawn Woods left the game after appearing to bang shins with a Syracuse defender, and allowed a 12-0 run by Syracuse for them to go up 29-25. This streak was finally quelled as Mitch Wilbekin decided to get 4 the hard way by making and getting fouled on a 3, while making the free-throw. The Orange rattled home a 3 with 6 seconds left and went into the half up 32-29.
The beginning of the second half.. a bit sloppy as we learned Woods wouldn’t return for the rest of the game. One thing to note.. Syracuse plays a 7 man rotation at BEST, mostly 6. Tyus Battle for Syracuse picked up his 4th foul with a little over 12 minutes left which forced Syracuse to play a kid who had played 1 minute all season. Dammit Wake can you make a free throw? It seems without Doral this team really really struggles to get a rebound, which may kill them in later games and started to in this one. Syracuse jumped out to a four point lead and then someone lit a FIRE underneath Crawford. Two corner three’s a missed heat check and an assist to Chaundee in the corner put the Deacs up. Still sloppy play down the stretch but the Deacs found themselves up 63-61 after a Terrance Thompson layup and a battle turn over with a minute and a half left. Childress with a beauty of a floater, Mitch with a rebound on the under end. Both teams need to work on their free throws cause YEEESH
Cuse hits an and one to cut the lead to 66-64 because nothing comes easy at Wake: Grades, Wins, Room selection, absolutely nothing. Childress gets fouled and hits both to put Wake up 4, gets the steal on the other end and gets intentionally fouled but somehow misses both of those(refer to my earlier point). Wake inbounds the ball and Sarr gets fouled. Misses the first(NOTHING IS EASY) and makes the second to put Wake up 5. Syracuse hits a 3, yes one of the worst 3pt shooting teams hits a clutch 3 against Wake because that’s what happens man. Sarr gets fouled on the other end and MAKES BOTH FREE THROWS OH MY. Battle throws up a three, misses it, Sarr gets fouled and makes both. Wake Wins 73-67.
Next up for the Deacs? A trip up north for #TheRivalry against Boston College on Saturday. Definitely will keep up with updates on Keyshawn Woods.
Ugly Win but a win nonetheless... Go Deacs
