Wake Forest earned their third huge win of the season Saturday, taking down Virginia Tech 77-75 on the Joel. Learn extra right here for our takeaways from the sport.

Learn our recreation story with quotes and evaluation right here.

Wake Forest successful the physicality battle earned them the victory

In a tricky recreation in opposition to the reigning ACC champs, it wasn’t Wake Forest’s capturing that gave them the win. In actual fact, their capturing would’ve been on the high of this record if the Deacs had misplaced.

However, when the going obtained robust, Wake Forest leaned into their physicality to take down the Hokies. The Deacs manhandled Virginia Tech on the offensive glass, nabbing 14 rebounds that helped them rating 20 second-chance factors.

“We now have to rebound the ball,” Virginia Tech head coach Mike Younger mentioned after the sport. “[Wake Forest] is admittedly good, however they’re not an awesome rebounding staff. After I play three bigs out of necessity, and we surrender 14 offensive rebounds, that’ll get your tail whipped.”

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However, for a staff that’s “not an awesome rebounding staff,” their work on the boards within the ultimate minute proved to be crucial, and a microcosm of the sport itself. Main by two, the Deacs twice took ill-advised three-pointers, however their bodily toughness earned them rebounds and further time operating off the clock. If Wake Forest doesn’t get these, the result of the sport might’ve been fairly completely different.

And, in opposition to a staff just like the Hokies that prides themselves on limiting turnovers, Wake Forest stood tall on protection and compelled 13, together with 5 steals. The Deacs used their dimension to their benefit when Virginia Tech obtained into foul bother, too.

Wake Forest entered the only bonus halfway by way of the second half, and persistently drove to the ring to attract fouls. As such, Virginia Tech spent the latter a part of the sport involved with protecting their key gamers on the court docket — each Sean Pedulla and Justyn Mutts ended the competition with 4 fouls, as did MJ Collins and Grant Basile.

It additionally doesn’t harm to take 26 pictures from the free-throw line both. – Thayer

The Deacs want Daivien Williamson

Final season, Daivien Williamson was a starter for an excellent Wake Forest staff, however this 12 months, he has taken over the position of sixth man. Regardless, his efficiency is crucial to the Deacs’ success.

Within the mid-November loss to Rutgers, Williamson scored three factors in 18 minutes. Per week prior, he shot 1-5 in Wake Forest’s meltdown in opposition to LSU.

However, in Saturday’s win over Virginia Tech, Williamson was a key cog for the Deacs staying within the recreation. When the staff was capturing poorly, Williamson was the injection of power from behind the three-point line, hitting 4 threes. He missed 4 as effectively —, and plenty of have been unhealthy pictures — however Wake desperately wanted factors, and Williamson delivered when it mattered most.

Halfway by way of the second half, main by only one level, Williamson nailed a dagger three to increase VT’s deficit to 4, after which hit one other for a seven-point lead with 5 minutes left.

With out Williamson’s key threes, Wake Forest would’ve been lifeless within the water from deep, and certain wouldn’t have secured the win. Although he’s now possible greatest match for the sixth-man position, Williamson proved how vital he’s for the Deacs to get within the win column. – Thayer

Cameron Hildreth is the staff’s greatest rebounder, and he’s taken higher care of the ball these days

Whereas Hildreth didn’t rating in double figures for the primary time since Nov. 18 on Saturday afternoon, he nonetheless performed an awesome recreation. The sophomore guard scored eight factors, grabbed eight rebounds, with 4 assists, two steals, and only one turnover. Hildreth’s season rebounding common is as much as 6.6 per recreation, which leads the staff. Hildreth performs a lot greater than his 6’4” body as a result of he’s great at utilizing his physique. He’s obtained a nostril for the ball, and he secures it strongly with two palms.

READ: Wake Forest’s A.T. Perry, Dion Bergan Jr. declare for 2023 NFL Draft

Hildreth’s emergence has been essential to the staff as a result of he impacts successful in a wide range of methods. He can take strain off of Appleby by bringing the ball up the ground, and likewise being a secondary supply of creation due to the eye he calls for together with his again to the basket. The knocks on Hildreth are that he generally is a bit erratic at occasions, however he’s been higher at caring for the ball these days. Excluding the November house blowouts in opposition to Hampton and South Carolina State, Hildreth turned the ball over 4 or extra occasions in 4 of Wake’s opening eight video games. During the last 4 contests, Hildreth is averaging a way more manageable 2.0 turnovers per recreation. – Odjakjian

Bobi Klintman appeared probably the most assured he has all season

At first look, it seems that Bobi Klintman didn’t play an awesome recreation Saturday. In 19 minutes, Klintman scored simply two factors on 1-7 capturing. Nonetheless, Klintman grabbed 5 rebounds, dedicated no turnovers and had a staff excessive +/- of +11. He hasn’t scored greater than three factors because the win over Hampton on Nov. 26, and performed a season low 5 minutes within the second most up-to-date recreation, in opposition to Duke on Dec. 20.

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At occasions this season, Klintman has appeared hesitant to get pictures up across the rim, even together with his 6’10” 225 pound body. Within the win over Virginia Tech, Klintman performed with rather more confidence, and created some beauty for himself across the basket. He missed some straightforward baskets, however these are pictures that he must be taking. He was 0-2 from three-point land, and his season share is all the way down to 22.7%.

Whereas successful this season is the principle focus in fact, Klintman has a ton of potential and his improvement is vital for this system. I’m a believer within the freshman, and I believe it is going to pay dividends within the brief time period and long run if he’s aggressive across the rim and letting the open three-pointers fly. – Odjakjian

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