Winston-Salem, NC (Betting Express) - The 20th-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons welcome the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks to Winston-Salem this evening for a in- state battle at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum.
The Demon Deacons successfully opened their 2008-09 season with a 94-48 rout of NC Central last Friday. Dino Gaudio is in his second season at the helm at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are trying to build on a 17-win campaign a year ago and with a good portion of that team returning, they could contend for the ACC crown this year.
The Seahawks are starting a five-game road trip this evening. Benny Moss' team has jumped out to a fast start, winning its first two games of the year, eclipsing the 100-point mark in each outing, with wins over Appalachian State (108-101) and Troy (107-95). UNCW is fighting an uphill battle in this game however, as the Seahawks are 0-20 all-time in games against ranked opponents on the road.
This is the 11th all-time meeting between these two teams, with Wake Forest winning each of the previous 10 matchups.
The Seahawks have shown their offensive proficiency over the first two games of the season, averaging 107.5 ppg over the first two outings. Chad Tomko has been the top offensive performer thus far, putting up 27 points in the season opener against Appalachian State, followed by a 33-point effort in the second game against Troy. Tomko is shooting a solid .488 from the floor thus far, converting 20-of-41 field-goal attempts. There is plenty of scoring depth in the early stages, with Johnny Wolf averaging 23.5 ppg, thanks in large part to his 27-point outburst against the Mountaineers. The pair of sharpshooters have amassed 16 three-pointers in the first two games. Dominique Lacy has provided balance in the paint, averaging a double-double with 22.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Kevon Moore rounds out the double-digit threats, coming off the bench with 11.5 ppg. In the win over Troy, Tomko got plenty of help, with Lacy recording a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Wolf poured in 20 points, while Moore chipped in 11. Jerel Stephenson also contributed off the bench, with six points and 15 rebounds in 22 minutes of work.
The Demon Deacons made light work of NC Central in the season-opener and if the team can continue to shoot the ball as well as it did in the first game, Wake will be awfully hard to beat. The Demon Deacons shot a sizzling 59.7 percent from the floor in the game, despite a rather ugly 2-of-11 showing from behind the arc. Five Demon Deacons finished in double figures, with two recording double-doubles. Al-Farouq Aminu and James Johnson dominated in the low post, with Aminu finishing with 21 points and 10 boards. Johnson added 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to the cause, as the pair of talented forwards converted 16-of-23 shots from the floor combined. Guard Jeff Teague added 14 points and six assists in the win, while Chas McFarland and Tony Woods chipped in with 12 points apiece. Wake Forest dominated in just about every facet of the game, outrebounding NC Central, 45-34, forcing 22 turnovers and outscoring their opponent in the paint, 54-6.
