Saturday, February 22
Raleigh, NC
2:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
at
NC State
Photo by: Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest and NC State Meet in Saturday Big Four Showdown
2/21/2025 9:15:00 AM | Men's Basketball
This will mark the second matchup between the longtime ACC opponents, as Wake Forest defeated NC State at LJVM Coliseum in January.
RALEIGH, N.C. - Wake Forest men's basketball will look to sweep the regular season series against NC State and win a fourth-straight road contest on Saturday afternoon, as the Demon Deacons face the Wolfpack at 2 p.m. at the Lenovo Center.
The game will air nationally on ESPN2.
Last Time Out
In a game that propelled Wake Forest into the top-four of the ACC standings, the Demon Deacons defeated SMU 77-66 on Saturday evening in Dallas.
Sophomore guard Parker Friedrichsen came out of the gate with a hot hand, knocking down five three-pointers on the evening for a season-high 18 points. Additionally, his five makes from beyond the arc tied for a career-best mark. The Bixby, Okla., native also grabbed four rebounds in 30 minutes of action.
Senior guard Hunter Sallis scored 20 points for the third consecutive game, also coming close to a double-double with nine rebounds. His six assists tied for a personal-best for the season, as he also went 11-of-14 from the free-throw line.
Sophomore guard Ty-Laur Johnson made four of his five field goal attempts for 12 points while senior center Efton Reid III contributed 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
Senior forward Tre'Von Spillers chipped in eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Making his first career start, freshman Juke Harris finished with nine points and five rebounds.
Wake Forest's collective defensive effort was on full display, holding SMU to a 36.1 field goal percentage. The Mustangs only shot 8-for-35 from beyond the arc and committed 10 turnovers.
The Deacs shared the ball well to record 15 assists on 24 made baskets. In the second half, Wake Forest shot 14-of-28 from the floor (50 percent).
Success On The Road
Six of the Deacs' 11 ACC victories have come on the road this season, as Wake Forest has traveled to Syracuse, Miami, Virginia Tech, Stanford, Cal and SMU and won.
The six ACC road victories are tied for the most in program history alongside the 1996-97 team, and the current three-game road winning streak in conference play is the longest since the 2003-04 season.
Earlier this month, Wake Forest became the first ACC program to sweep the West Coast trip with victories at Stanford and Cal in a four-day span. Additionally, the Deacs held SMU to 66 points in a 77-66 victory at Moody Coliseum, the Mustangs' fourth-lowest points in an ACC game this season.
Deacs In Big Four Action
Saturday's contest will mark the fourth of five Big Four regular season contests for Wake Forest this season. Already this season, Wake Forest has defeated NC State 77-59 and North Carolina 67-66.
Wake Forest is seeking the second regular season sweep of NC State under head coach Steve Forbes in four seasons, having previously done so during the 2021-22 campaign when the Deacs defeated the Wolfpack 69-51 in Raleigh before a 101-76 victory in Winston-Salem.
Parker Shines In Dallas
Sophomore guard Parker Friedrichsen had his best outing of the 2024-25 season against SMU, as he matched a personal best with five three-point marks for a season-high 18 points. His 18 points were most in an ACC game in his career and just one point off his career-high.
A Look At The Standings
Heading into its Saturday meeting with the Wolfpack, Wake Forest is fourth in the ACC standings.
Defensive Dominance
Wake Forest's team defense continues to impress as one of the best units in the ACC. The Deacs rank first in three-point field goal percentage defense (29.9 percent) and second in overall field goal percentage defense (39.2). Wake Forest is the only ACC team holding opponents under 30 percent from three-point distance.
Through 26 games, the Demon Deacons have forced 353 turnovers, the second-highest mark in the ACC. Additionally, ACC opponents have committed 10-plus turnovers in 12 of 15 games against Wake Forest.
Maintaining an interior presence, the Deacs rank third in the conference with 107 blocks, good enough for a 4.12 per-game average that currently rests as the best mark in the Forbes era. Wake Forest is also third in the ACC in steals (7.38 per game).
Series History: Wake Forest vs. NC State
NC State enters the contest with a 10-6 record at home this season, with three of those victories coming in ACC play.
Offensively, the Wolfpack in conference action are led by a trio of players averaging double-digits in scoring in Marcus Hill (12.6 points per game), Jayden Taylor (11.9 points per game) and Dontrez Styles (11.2 points per game).
As a team, the Wolfpack lead the ACC in fastbreak points (14.12), turnover margin (+3.4) and turnovers per game (9.2).
Television Information
Saturday's game will be televised on ESPN2 with Kevin Brown and Jon Crispin on the call. Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeMBB).
Up Next
Wake Forest will be home for three of its final four regular season contests, beginning with a Wednesday night game against Virginia.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. and the matchup will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
The game will air nationally on ESPN2.
Last Time Out
In a game that propelled Wake Forest into the top-four of the ACC standings, the Demon Deacons defeated SMU 77-66 on Saturday evening in Dallas.
Sophomore guard Parker Friedrichsen came out of the gate with a hot hand, knocking down five three-pointers on the evening for a season-high 18 points. Additionally, his five makes from beyond the arc tied for a career-best mark. The Bixby, Okla., native also grabbed four rebounds in 30 minutes of action.
Senior guard Hunter Sallis scored 20 points for the third consecutive game, also coming close to a double-double with nine rebounds. His six assists tied for a personal-best for the season, as he also went 11-of-14 from the free-throw line.
Sophomore guard Ty-Laur Johnson made four of his five field goal attempts for 12 points while senior center Efton Reid III contributed 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
Senior forward Tre'Von Spillers chipped in eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Making his first career start, freshman Juke Harris finished with nine points and five rebounds.
Wake Forest's collective defensive effort was on full display, holding SMU to a 36.1 field goal percentage. The Mustangs only shot 8-for-35 from beyond the arc and committed 10 turnovers.
The Deacs shared the ball well to record 15 assists on 24 made baskets. In the second half, Wake Forest shot 14-of-28 from the floor (50 percent).
Success On The Road
Six of the Deacs' 11 ACC victories have come on the road this season, as Wake Forest has traveled to Syracuse, Miami, Virginia Tech, Stanford, Cal and SMU and won.
The six ACC road victories are tied for the most in program history alongside the 1996-97 team, and the current three-game road winning streak in conference play is the longest since the 2003-04 season.
Earlier this month, Wake Forest became the first ACC program to sweep the West Coast trip with victories at Stanford and Cal in a four-day span. Additionally, the Deacs held SMU to 66 points in a 77-66 victory at Moody Coliseum, the Mustangs' fourth-lowest points in an ACC game this season.
Deacs In Big Four Action
Saturday's contest will mark the fourth of five Big Four regular season contests for Wake Forest this season. Already this season, Wake Forest has defeated NC State 77-59 and North Carolina 67-66.
Wake Forest is seeking the second regular season sweep of NC State under head coach Steve Forbes in four seasons, having previously done so during the 2021-22 campaign when the Deacs defeated the Wolfpack 69-51 in Raleigh before a 101-76 victory in Winston-Salem.
Parker Shines In Dallas
Sophomore guard Parker Friedrichsen had his best outing of the 2024-25 season against SMU, as he matched a personal best with five three-point marks for a season-high 18 points. His 18 points were most in an ACC game in his career and just one point off his career-high.
A Look At The Standings
Heading into its Saturday meeting with the Wolfpack, Wake Forest is fourth in the ACC standings.
| Rank | School | ACC Record | ACC Pct. | Overall Record | Overall Pct. |
| 1 | Duke | 15-1 | .938 | 23-3 | .885 |
| T-2 | Clemson | 13-2 | .867 | 21-5 | .808 |
| T-2 | Louisville | 13-2 | .867 | 20-6 | .769 |
| T-4 | Wake Forest | 11-4 | .733 | 19-7 | .731 |
| T-4 | SMU | 11-4 | .733 | 20-6 | .769 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 9-6 | .600 | 16-11 | .593 |
| 7 | Stanford | 8-7 | .533 | 16-10 | .615 |
| T-8 | Pitt | 7-8 | .467 | 16-10 | .615 |
| T-8 | Florida State | 7-8 | .467 | 16-10 | .615 |
| T-8 | Georgia Tech | 7-8 | .467 | 13-13 | .500 |
| T-11 | Virginia | 6-9 | .400 | 13-13 | .500 |
| T-11 | Virginia Tech | 6-9 | .400 | 11-15 | .423 |
| T-13 | California | 5-10 | .333 | 12-14 | .462 |
| T-13 | Notre Dame | 5-10 | .333 | 11-15 | .423 |
| 15 | Syracuse | 5-11 | .312 | 11-16 | .407 |
| T-16 | Boston College | 3-12 | .200 | 11-15 | .423 |
| T-16 | NC State | 3-12 | .200 | 10-16 | .385 |
| 18 | Miami | 2-13 | .133 | 6-20 | .231 |
Wake Forest's team defense continues to impress as one of the best units in the ACC. The Deacs rank first in three-point field goal percentage defense (29.9 percent) and second in overall field goal percentage defense (39.2). Wake Forest is the only ACC team holding opponents under 30 percent from three-point distance.
Through 26 games, the Demon Deacons have forced 353 turnovers, the second-highest mark in the ACC. Additionally, ACC opponents have committed 10-plus turnovers in 12 of 15 games against Wake Forest.
Maintaining an interior presence, the Deacs rank third in the conference with 107 blocks, good enough for a 4.12 per-game average that currently rests as the best mark in the Forbes era. Wake Forest is also third in the ACC in steals (7.38 per game).
Series History: Wake Forest vs. NC State
- All-Time: Wake Forest trails, 147-110
- Last Matchup: Jan. 4, 2025 at LJVM Coliseum
- Result: W, 77-59
NC State enters the contest with a 10-6 record at home this season, with three of those victories coming in ACC play.
Offensively, the Wolfpack in conference action are led by a trio of players averaging double-digits in scoring in Marcus Hill (12.6 points per game), Jayden Taylor (11.9 points per game) and Dontrez Styles (11.2 points per game).
As a team, the Wolfpack lead the ACC in fastbreak points (14.12), turnover margin (+3.4) and turnovers per game (9.2).
Television Information
Saturday's game will be televised on ESPN2 with Kevin Brown and Jon Crispin on the call. Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts (@WakeMBB).
Up Next
Wake Forest will be home for three of its final four regular season contests, beginning with a Wednesday night game against Virginia.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. and the matchup will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
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