Thursday, November 28
Orlando, Fla.
2:30 p.m.
Wake Forest University
vs
Florida
Wake Forest Heads to Sunshine State for ESPN Events Invitational
11/26/2024 5:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Deacs will face the No. 18 Florida Gators in the first of two games.
Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Media Center | ESPN Events Invitational
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Demon Deacons have traveled to the Sunshine State for the next two games of the non-conference slate this week in the ESPN Events Invitational, played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando.
For the first game, Wake Forest will face the Florida Gators at 2:30 p.m. ET Thanksgiving Day on ESPN. Wake's second game will be Friday, No. 29 against either Minnesota or Wichita State.
The Deacs are coming off a 67-57 win against Detroit Mercy over the weekend inside The Joel Coliseum. Hunter Sallis found a groove from the early get go, ultimately leading all individuals with 31 points. He was especially effective in his looks, going 12-for-18 from the floor and making five three-pointers, which tied for a career-best mark within a single game. It was the senior guard's highest scoring clip of the season and second career performance of 30-plus points. Sallis added four assists and three steals as well, both of which were team highs.
Davin Cosby chipped in 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. The sophomore guard knocked in three triples – his third such showing this year of three or more makes from distance.
Tre'Von Spillers showed his usual activity around the rim, grabbing nine rebounds and scoring seven points. Defensively, the forward collected two steals and two blocks. Five Deacs had two blocks, as the team's 10 was a season-best mark. Additionally, it was the team's first time recording 10 or more since finishing with 10 against Charlotte on Nov. 11, 2019.
Wake Forest held Detroit Mercy to a 33.3 field goal percentage – the lowest by an opponent this season.
Series History
Versus Florida
Series: Florida leads, 7-6
Last: Nov. 29, 2023
Result: W, 82-71 in Winston-Salem
The Matchup
The Gators are led by third-year head coach Todd Golden and senior guard Walter Clayton Jr., who was a preseason All-SEC First Team selection. Florida is coming off a 93-68 home win over Southern Illinois where grad transfer Alijah Martin dropped 31 points. The Gators shot 46.7 percent for the game, including 16-of-39 from beyond the arc (41.0 percent).
Thursday's tipoff inside State Farm Fieldhouse will air live on ESPN. Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeMBB).
Up Next
Wake Forest will face the winner of the Wichita State / Minnesota matchup on Friday in the Deacs' final game of the event.
Tip will be set for either 1 or 3:30 p.m. and the game will air live on either ESPN or ESPN2.
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Demon Deacons have traveled to the Sunshine State for the next two games of the non-conference slate this week in the ESPN Events Invitational, played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando.
For the first game, Wake Forest will face the Florida Gators at 2:30 p.m. ET Thanksgiving Day on ESPN. Wake's second game will be Friday, No. 29 against either Minnesota or Wichita State.
The Deacs are coming off a 67-57 win against Detroit Mercy over the weekend inside The Joel Coliseum. Hunter Sallis found a groove from the early get go, ultimately leading all individuals with 31 points. He was especially effective in his looks, going 12-for-18 from the floor and making five three-pointers, which tied for a career-best mark within a single game. It was the senior guard's highest scoring clip of the season and second career performance of 30-plus points. Sallis added four assists and three steals as well, both of which were team highs.
Davin Cosby chipped in 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. The sophomore guard knocked in three triples – his third such showing this year of three or more makes from distance.
Tre'Von Spillers showed his usual activity around the rim, grabbing nine rebounds and scoring seven points. Defensively, the forward collected two steals and two blocks. Five Deacs had two blocks, as the team's 10 was a season-best mark. Additionally, it was the team's first time recording 10 or more since finishing with 10 against Charlotte on Nov. 11, 2019.
Wake Forest held Detroit Mercy to a 33.3 field goal percentage – the lowest by an opponent this season.
Series History
Versus Florida
Series: Florida leads, 7-6
Last: Nov. 29, 2023
Result: W, 82-71 in Winston-Salem
The Matchup
The Gators are led by third-year head coach Todd Golden and senior guard Walter Clayton Jr., who was a preseason All-SEC First Team selection. Florida is coming off a 93-68 home win over Southern Illinois where grad transfer Alijah Martin dropped 31 points. The Gators shot 46.7 percent for the game, including 16-of-39 from beyond the arc (41.0 percent).
Thursday's tipoff inside State Farm Fieldhouse will air live on ESPN. Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeMBB).
Up Next
Wake Forest will face the winner of the Wichita State / Minnesota matchup on Friday in the Deacs' final game of the event.
Tip will be set for either 1 or 3:30 p.m. and the game will air live on either ESPN or ESPN2.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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