High Stakes: Wake Forest Faces SMU in Crucial ACC Showdown

DALLAS, Texas — The Wake Forest Demon Deacons face off against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs at 6 p.m. Saturday in a must-win game at Moody Coliseum. Both teams are vying for NCAA Tournament spots, making this match critical for their postseason aspirations.

The Mustangs (19-5, 10-3 ACC) are on a five-game winning streak and have won eight of their last nine games. They are ranked eighth nationally in three-point shooting percentage and have demonstrated strong offensive rebounding capabilities, collecting nearly 40% of their own misses.

Wake Forest (18-7, 10-4), on the other hand, is looking to rebound from a heart-wrenching 72-70 loss to Florida State, which ended their three-game win streak. The defeat highlighted troubling defensive lapses, as the Deacons allowed 51 points in the second half. “That was a really bad loss. It’s probably the worst loss that I’ve had here,” said Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes. “We gave up 51 points in the second half. We had no urgency to defend.”

In their previous encounter on February 15, 2003, Wake Forest secured a 78-66 victory over SMU, giving them a 2-0 all-time series lead. The urgency is especially palpable for the Deacs; not only is this game critical for ACC standings, but both teams are considered on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. With stakes this high, the pressure is on for both teams.

Freshman center Samet Yigitoglu led SMU to an 83-63 win against Pitt earlier this week, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He has consistently scored in double figures over the past seven games. “We’re the only team in the country to have six players to average in double figures,” said SMU coach Andy Enfield. The Mustangs’ leading scorer, Boopie Miller, who previously played for Wake Forest, averages 13.4 points and is fourth in the ACC with 5.7 assists per game.

In contrast, the Deacons’ leading scorer, Hunter Sallis, averages 18.5 points per game and scored 20 against Florida State. Teammate Cameron Hildreth has surged recently, scoring over 20 points in four consecutive outings, including 22 in the loss to the Seminoles.

The matchup will be broadcast on ACC Network, with additional coverage available via streaming on the ESPN app. The odds favor SMU with a spread of Wake +7.5, while the over/under is set at 145.5.

As the game approaches, the excitement builds. Will Wake Forest rise to the occasion and solidify their tournament hopes, or will SMU extend their winning streak and maintain their position in the standings? The answer awaits as both teams take to the court in a high-stakes battle.