Season Recap: Wake Forest

2009-2010
Wake Forest: 20-11 (9-7 ACC)

Most ACC teams you could pretty easily categorize in the year being either a success or a failure. With Wake Forest, I don't think that's as clearcut. They came in with pretty high expectations, coming off their best year in quite a while. The Deacs did a decent job to start the season. They did suffer back-to-back losses to William and Mary, and at Purdue. But they came back with a very solid road win at Gonzaga, the start of a 7 game winning streak.

Just like they did last year, Wake started out the conference slate pretty strong. At one point they were up to 8-3 in ACC play. The big key for them in this part of the season was Ish Smith. He was relegated to a backup role the previous year, playing behind Jeff Teague. But once Teague left, that gave the spotlight back to Smith, and he really shined. He and Al-Farouq Aminu turned into a very solid combination.

Unfortunately for Wake, just like the previous year, the wheels came off a bit in the latter part of the season. They went 1-4 in their last five conference games, including a home loss to North Carolina. Then they got blown out in the first round of the ACC Tournament by 12 seed Miami. They were able to put things back together for one game, though. Wake knocked off Texas in the first round of the NCAAs in a very entertaining game that went into overtime. Their season ended with a blowout loss to Kentucky.

Best Win: 81-80 (OT) over Texas (3/18)

There really weren't a lot of expectations for Wake coming into the NCAA Tournament, having lost 5 of 6. And they were facing a Texas team that was one of the most talented teams in the country, once having been ranked #1. Wake played very well, though, and despite blowing a lead late in regulation was able to win this one in overtime. It was a big boost for a team that got embarrassed in the first round of the NCAAs the year before.

Worst Loss: 83-62 to Miami (3/11)

Wake looked absolutely terrible in this ACC Tournament game, getting blown out from the start by a team that was a lot less talented. They couldn't get anything going, and were one of many high seeds to make an early exit from this bizarre ACC Tournament week.

Postseason Play:

As explained above, Wake did not have a long or impressive stay in the ACC Tournament. They got a berth in an 8/9 game in the NCAAs against Texas, and were able to win in overtime. Then, the Deacons had to face a very tough Kentucky squad, and were never really in the game. They lost by 30 points.

What's Ahead:

You have to say that any good feelings Wake fans had at the end of the year have since been erased. In a somewhat surprising move, Wake dumped Coach Dino Gaudio after three seasons in which he made 2 NCAA Tournament appearances. In place of him, they brought in Jeff Bzdelik, an interesting hire. He has spent most of his recent time out west, coaching the Denver Nuggets in the NBA, and then Colorado. At Colorado, his record was 36-58 (ouch!).

What Bzdelik inherits is a team that is losing a lot. Aminu is leaving for the NBA Draft, along with his 15.8 points per game. Second leading scorer Ish Smith is graduating. As are big man Chas McFarland, L.D. Williams and David Weaver. That represents four of their top six scorers from this past year. Wake will have some decent players, like Ari Stewart and C.J. Harris back, but it will probably be a down year in Winston-Salem next year.