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1. How many deacons go by the glass
Chaundee Brown, Wake Forest's second-class guard, celebrates the Deacons' overtime win over Pittsburgh earlier this month.
After accumulating 20, 18 and 18 offensive rebounds in the previous three games, Wake Forest had six against Florida State. Jaylen Hoard, a freshman, played only 24 minutes – the lowest of all ACC games this season – because he committed two fouls in the first period.
Wake Forest's reliance on offensive rebounds can not make up for the deacons' need to defend themselves, especially with the country's fifth highest adjusted tempo rate, according to KenPom.
"We have to balance the soil. Some people have to fall back into defense and two or three guys break down the window during rebounds, because (if) we send everyone to the window and they get a rebound, that's a quick break point, "said Chaundee Brown, the second goalkeeper. "We have to have a good balance on the ground."
2. Still need to make shots
Coach Danny Manning gives instructions to his team during this week's loss to Florida State.
Wake Forest has now shot less than 40% in three of its last four games, though the 38.6% clip has not been at historically bad levels, as was the case with the defeats against Louisville and Clemson.
When things went wrong with the Seminoles, Manning felt that it was not just the defense of the deacons that was the cause.
"We missed shots that we like to do or that we normally do, whether it's the perimeter or the free throw line," said Manning. "It could have (given us) a little more juice or momentum at this point in the game."
3. Go back
Britain's Coby White (2) and Nassir Little put pressure on Miami's Chris Lykes in the second half of a college basketball game at the NCAA in Chapel Hill, NS on Saturday February 9, 2019. North Carolina won the game in overtime. (AP Photo / Gerry Broome)
This one can not really be overestimated.
Rookie goaltender Coby White, from North Carolina, has excelled in Tar Heels' fast-paced attack and ranks 10th in goals from ACC (16.0 points per game).
"Coby is their top scorer and he plays very well," said Manning. "… I mean, it's a balanced team, they play fast. The transition will be extremely important and the back panel again. "
4. North Carolina looking for rebound
Virginia's Braxton Key (left) and North Carolina's Brandon Robinson (right) chase a loose ball in the second half of Monday night's game at Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels made only 1 of 11 field goal attempts in which Virginia won the match, 69-61.
The Tar Heels' seven-game winning streak was broken by Monday's loss to Virginia, and they are scheduled to meet with Duke next Wednesday. While Saturday's game against Wake Forest offers North Carolina the chance to bounce back after its first defeat since mid-January and solve its problems before facing Duke.
"Carolina is a great team, they also like playing in transition," said Brown. "They will get excited, they will not go down to anyone. "We have to bring it, we play well at home."
5. Health of some heels
North Carolina head coach Roy Williams refused to say anything positive about Coby White's game, saying, "I will not praise a guy who scored 6 out of 19 ยป.
It will be worthwhile to watch how much – if at all – two wings of North Carolina play against the deacons. Rookie Nassir Little left Monday night's game against Virginia after playing two minutes in the ankle. Senior Cameron Johnson, Tar Heels' second-highest scorer with 15.8 points per game, also suffered a late injury. Johnson returned to the game, but his absence coincided with the loss of speed in North Carolina.
Coach Roy Williams said Friday that Little would be a "decisive decision" and that second-year striker Sterling Manley and first-year keeper Leaky Black, who have both missed previous matches , would not be available.
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