Demon Deacons Open ACC Play at Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Wake Forest men's basketball team will face Virginia Tech in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener on the road Saturday afternoon inside Cassell Coliseum.

The Demon Deacons (7-1) are coming off a 77-73 overtime victory over Northwestern in the ACC/BIG Ten Challenge on Tuesday night, marking the first time since the 2009-10 season that Wake Forest has won two overtime games in a single season. Jake LaRavia and Alondes Williams paced the team in scoring with 21 points each in the win.

LaRavia has had high-level production over the past four games, posting averages of 18 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and a pair of steals on 68.6 percent shooting from the field and 86.4 percent from the free throw line. He has shot 50 percent or better from the floor in every game this season.

At least three players have scored in double-digits in all eight of the Deacs' games to start the season, highlighted by a trio of players averaging double-digit points per game: Williams (19.5), LaRavia (15.5), and Daivien Williamson (14.8).

Additionally, Wake Forest has knocked down 10 or more three-pointers in half of their games thus far. Williamson (2.3) and Isaiah Mucius (2.0) currently lead the team in triples per game, while Williams and LaRavia each average one three-pointer per game.

The Hokies (6-2) are coming off a 62-58 victory over Maryland on Wednesday and are led by third-year coach Mike Young. Young's squad returns three starters from last year, including preseason First Team All-ACC forward Keve Aluma. Virginia Tech currently ranks second in the country in opponent scoring (53.4 points allowed).

Tipoff in Cassell Coliseum is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET and the game will air live on ACC Network.

Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter and Instagram accounts (@WakeMBB).

Standout Stats
Seven games into the season, Wake Forest ranks inside the top-40 nationally in a pair of key statistical categories:

82.0 points per game - 35th in the country and third in the ACC
48.7 percent from the field - 32nd in the country and second in the ACC

Additionally, several players currently rank at the top of the conference leaderboards:

Jake LaRavia: 65.7 percent from the field ranks second; 2.5 steals per game ranks second
Alondes Williams: 19.5 points per game ranks fourth, 156 total points ranks first
Daivien Williamson: 93.8 percent from the free throw line ranks second in the ACC, 18 made triples ranks tied for fourth.

Last Time
Wake Forest vs. Northwestern (November 30, 2021)
Result: W, 77-73
Recap

Series History
Versus Virginia Tech
Series: Virginia Tech leads, 38-31
Last: February 27, 2021
Result: L, 84-46 in Blacksburg

Up Next
Wake Forest will return home to Winston-Salem next Saturday, December 11 to face USC Upstate.

Tipoff in Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is set for 7 p.m. and the game will air live on Regional Sports Networks.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jake LaRavia

Isaiah Mucius

Alondes Williams

Daivien Williamson

Wake Forest Athletics