Know Your Opponent: Wake Forest

By: Ryan Randall

On the same day the University of Florida announces new graduates, the Gators will take on Wake Forest in the Metro PCS Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Fla. Let’s get to know more about the Orange and Blue’s next opponent:

Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Atlantic Coast Conference
Head Coach: Danny Manning, 1st season
2013-14 record: 17-16 (6-12, tied for 11th place)

Since the early-to-mid 1990s, Wake Forest was one of the top basketball teams in the ACC. With players such as Tim Duncan, Josh Howard and Chris Paul, basketball was alive and well in Winston-Salem.

Since 2010, however, Wake Forest has been anything but successful.

In four seasons, the Demon Deacons averaged 12 wins a season, including an eight-win season in the 2010-11 campaign. While the team had a 17-16 record last year, Jeff Bzdelik resigned from the program, after mounting losses. Former Kansas forward Danny Manning took over the program this season, and looks to bring the team back to prominence. Wake Forest is currently 5-5, and while they have a good mix of young and experienced players, has only beaten one team with a record over .500. The team has looked bad in losses to Minnesota and NC State, as well as Arkansas, who defeated the Demon Deacons 83-53 November 19. Just as the Gators are in the process of discovering who they are, so is Wake Forest.

Key Players

Codi Miller-McIntyre
Junior
Guard
6-3, 205 pounds

For the second straight season, Miller-McIntyre is leading the team in scoring, averaging 12.2 points per game. Like many guards in the ACC, Miller-McIntyre can slash to the basketball well and finish even with contact. In the open court, the junior keeps his eyes up with the option of passing keeping the defender honest. Defensively, the guard plays his part well in the scheme, keeping his hands up and doing a good job in trap situations.

Florida guards Kasey Hill and Chris Chiozza will have an edge in speed over Miller-McIntyre, but the Miller-McIntyre will pressure the players on both sides of the ball. He has proven to not turn the ball over much this year, but has had poor shooting performances this season, so it will be important for Florida to keep him outside the paint. Even with the shooting woes, Miller-McIntyre is an experienced player who will provide some challenges to the Gators.

Devin Thomas
Junior
Forward
6-9, 255 pounds

Devin Thomas is second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.5 points per game. The junior is also leading the team in rebounds with 9.8, including an 18-rebound performance against Iona, the second highest single-game amount for his career. While Thomas has shown the ability to dominate the boards, he has cooled off recently, going without double-digit rebounds since the November 21 game against the Gaels. Thomas has some back-to-the-basket ability, but more so plays facing up to his defender.

Playing against Dorian Finney-Smith, Thomas will be outmatched, if Finney-Smith maintains a level of consistency seen against Jacksonville. Even then, the Gators forward is still more athletic than Thomas. Matching up against Jon Horford, he’ll have a better opportunity, as Thomas is faster than the Florida center and can get around the edge. Florida will have to account for Thomas throughout the game, as he has the potential to be active in the paint.

Mitchell Wilbekin
Freshman
Guard
6-2, 165 pounds

If the name sounds familiar, it’s with good reason. Mitchell is the younger brother of former Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin, and has already shown the talent ability runs deep in the family. Wilbekin is fourth on the team in scoring, and is continuing to learn the game on the college level. Florida head coach Billy Donovan explained the differences between the two brothers:

“I would say probably coming out of high school Mitchell was probably a little bit more gifted than Scott was offensively. I think Scottie developed into a really good offensive player. I think scoring for Mitchell comes very easy. I think it’s pretty impressive for him as a freshman to be able to shoot the percentage he’s shooting from behind the 3-point line. As a freshman, he’s getting a great opportunity there with Danny. I think Scottie is probably further along defensively. In a lot of way they’re totally different players. They each have their own strengths.”

The numbers back up Donovan’s claims. He leads the starting lineup in field goal the three-point percentage. He’ll put pressure on Florida’s defense from long and close range, and challenge the Gators guards on the defensive side of the ball.

How they fare against Florida

Despite a .500 record and some bad losses, Wake Forest has the ability to challenge a Gator team that is still finding their way. Florida has had three big victories recently, but has shown they still have work to do as they prepare for postseason play next month. While Florida is a more athletic team and can present defensive issues from three-point range, consistency will be key for Florida to emerge victorious. If the Gators do not execute on the glass or go through big scoring droughts, the Demon Deacons have the scorers to capitalize. However, Florida is riding momentum from the three wins and is learning what it takes to win. Wake Forest will be a greater challenge than Yale, Texas Southern and Jacksonville, but the Gators should defeat the Demon Deacons.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.