In a significant ACC matchup, Wake Forest secured a commanding victory over Pitt with a final score of 91-58, marking their best offensive performance in ACC play in the KenPom era with 1.44 points per possession. This win is particularly notable as both teams were considered on the NCAA tournament bubble. Wake Forest's success in this game was highlighted by their ability to limit Pitt to 58 points, showcasing a defensive strength that contrasts with their season's earlier performances. The Demon Deacons' bench outscored Pitt's 18-11, contributing to the comprehensive nature of the win. Following this result, Wake Forest moved up five spots in the KenPom ratings to No. 21, while also improving their offense and defense rankings. This victory represents Wake Forest's 6th ACC win by at least 19 points, and the team also jumped 14 spots in the NET rankings, from 40 to 26. The victory also positions Wake Forest favorably in the ACC standings, with a 9-6 record and being favored in their final five games of the season.
Pitt lost 2 points since last night, now a 91-56 win by Wake Forest, per Dan Shulman. (I kid, I kid; love Shulman)
Granted, two of those are essentially coin flips, but right now Wake Forest is 9-6 in the ACC and favored by KenPom in each of its final five games. https://t.co/zKlxtseJaj
Wake Forest jumps up FOURTEEN!!!! Spots in the NET rankings. From 40 to 26!!! WOW! #GoDeacs @CamLemons_ @MSD_RaJohnston @Les_Johns
Tonight was Wake Forest's 6th ACC win by at least 19 points -- Virginia Tech, UVA, Louisville, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, now Pitt. The other 14 teams in the ACC have combined for 11 wins by at least 19. UVA has 3, Duke/UNC/VT with 2, Pitt and ND with 1.
Wake Forest is back in the Top 25 ... ... on KenPom, up to No. 21.
Wake Forest moves up 5 spots in the KenPom ratings to No.21 Offense up 10 spots to 27th, Defense up 2 spots to 26th
Wake Forest moves up five spots in the KenPom ratings to No. 21.
Wake Forest stays exactly the same in the KenPom ratings at No. 26 after the 33-point victory tonight over Pitt. Not what I expected, to be honest.
Wake Forest's 91-68 win over Pitt is the Demon Deacons' best performance on offense in ACC play in the KenPom era: 1.44 points per possession.
Wake Forest beats Pitt, the other ACC bubble team 91-58. That’ll leave a mark. Duke. Saturday. 2:00. Be there. GO DEACS! 🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩
Wake Forest improves its resume with a rout at home over fellow bubble team Pitt. Welcome to late February.
For the NET nerds, Wake Forest more than likely going to skyrocket after this game. Not just because this is 20+ (most likely) You're currently holding a top 60ish offense to 55 points and miserable shooting. Wake's metrics lag on defense. That's how you game the metrics
Wake Forest leads this by 30, 83-53, which isn't something I expected to tweet tonight.
Blake Hinson gets into double figures, with 5:28 left in the game and Wake Forest leading by 27.
Cam continues to keep Hinson locked up. Deacs lead by 23 at the under 8. Efton making up for lost time now, playing with an edge.
Wake Forest is third-worst in the country when it comes to bench scoring (10.7 ppg). The Demon Deacons bench is outscoring Pitt's 18-11 tonight.
Back-to-back three pointers, by Parker and Damari, and Jeff Capel triggers a timeout. The Wake Forest lead is up to 27. The Deacs have simply exploded in the second half, shooting 80%. 64-37 with 13:13 to go.
Bangers and mash alley-oop through contact. Wake's lead is palindrome'd, 53-35, at the first media TO of the 2nd half. Pitt's only 2 points of this half are on free throws (separate trips).
Cam Hildreth with his second assist of the half as the Deacs claim an 18-point lead here at the first media timeout.
Excellent offensive half for the Deacs. Lead Pitt 45-33 at the half. Pitt made some big shots in the last 4 to make it a bit tighter. Cam was so good on Hinson that half. Finish them.
Nothing wrong with Wake's energy/vibe. Deacons up 32-18 and Jeff Capel takes a timeout to beat the under-8. Only negatives for WF so far have been Efton Reid III's two quick fouls and Pitt's 5 offensive rebounds.
Excellent shot clock awareness by Parker Friedrichsen who fires and drains one behind the arc with just a couple seconds left. Marsh gets one at point-blank range and the Deacs are suddenly up by 14. Pitt takes a timeout.
Really good Cam Hildreth sequence as he made a nifty pass to Efton Reid for a dunk, then got a steal and transition bucket to follow. A Parker Friedrichsen 3-ball extended the lead to 9, but Wake leads 24-17 at the under-12. Next media timeout will come rapid-fire style.
Some good shot-making both ways. Deacs with a mini-run to take a 24-17 lead with 9 mins left. Cam doing a great job on Hinson. The “others” are carrying them
Headband Hunter has knocked down a pair of 3s and the Demon Deacon defense has been stout early as Wake Forest leads 11-5 at the first TV timeout.
N.C. State's loss to Syracuse means the Pitt/Wake Forest winner will be in sole possession of fourth place in the ACC. That's double bye territory -- if the season was over.
Brookline Jesus, along with everyone else won’t have to wait much longer. I’ll be joining Pittsburgh’s top football guy @DonChed54 in a few minutes to talk Pitt-Wake Forest on @937theFan https://t.co/v7L7vMqXaT
Live from Joel Coliseum for Pittsburgh-Wake Forest. Big 4-seed ACC tournament, NCAA tournament bubble implications for both teams. Pitt beat WF 77-72 three weeks ago. Refs tonight are Bert Smith, Pat Driscoll and Kipp Kissinger.
Pitt is at Wake Forest for a huge showdown tonight. When the game ends, we'll be live to talk about it on the Panther-Lair Post-Game. Tune in to join the conversation with your comments and questions. https://t.co/QZg0QxSfh8
Must-win game for Wake Forest. No if’s, and’s or but’s about it. If they get swept by Pitt, then Pitt has inside track for double bye and a stronger NCAAT case. https://t.co/b7rKNpiHT8
Quick FYI here @ConorONeill_DI @Les_Johns @essexthayer7 @CamLemons_ @JoshGrahamShow Huge ACC game tonight in Winston-Salem: Wake Forest (16-9, 8-6) vs. Pitt (17-8, 8-6). It’s a big game for both teams’ resumes...
If EYE was looking for things to keep an eye on for Wake Forest tonight against Pitt:
Pitt remains as the final team in the “next four out” in ESPN’s latest update. Wake Forest dropped a few spots after its loss over the weekend. My guess is we could see Pitt flip spots with the Demon Deacons if it can earn another win this evening. https://t.co/Vl0q7nS5Ln
Wake favored by 6.5 tonight in #DeacsAfterDark. Pitt is very hot having won 5 straight and has been great on the road in tough environments. Deacs are the only ACC team that hasn’t lost at home this season. Gotta have it.
Pitt has a big game tonight at Wake Forest. What's the key for the Panthers to get their sixth win in a row? Let's break down the game on today's Morning Pitt. https://t.co/7PjmFesL8X
I’ll be hopping on @937theFan shortly to talk all things #Pitt with @JRown32 Tune in!