Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Travels to UNC
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
February 22, 1999
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--When No. 14 North Carolina hosts Wake Forest on Tuesday, it will be the unranked team that has more on the line.
The Tar Heels (21-7, 9-5 ACC) have clinched third place in the conference, the 35th straight year they've finished the regular season in the top three. Wake Forest, however, is considered a "bubble team" and a win over a ranked opponent could go a long way toward propelling them into the NCAA tournament.
The Demon Deacons (15-11, 6-8) have been inconsistent all season, beating a top team in Maryland but losing to lowly Virginia. A pair of victories at North Carolina and N.C. State to close out the season could give Wake Forest seven wins in its last eight games, and the selection committee has a tendency to favor teams that come into the tournament with momentum.
The Deacons pulled out an impressive win in their last outing, rallying from a 19-point deficit to beat Florida State, 67-65. Broderick Hicks scored 12 of his 15 points in the final four and a half minutes and Darius Songaila added 19.
The Tar Heels are coming off a thrilling 67-66 win at Virginia on Saturday.
Ademola Okulaja's 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining saved North Carolina from the upset. Head coach Bill Guthridge was not surprised that his senior came up big in the clutch.
"He's a real warrior. Dependability. Workhorse," said Guthridge. "Has never missed a game in four years and I don't remember him missing even a practice. He played well his first game (as a freshman) in Maui and has played well since.
"He's always coming up with big plays. I think he'll be thought of as one of the real solid Carolina basketball players."
The Tar Heels beat Wake Forest earlier in the season, 52-40.
North Carolina will close out the regular season Sunday when it hosts arch-rival Duke.
