Wake Forest thrives on disruption, SMU battles on the boards. Turnovers and late-game nerves decide this pivotal ACC clash.
Tuesday night in Winston-Salem presents a fascinating contrast in styles as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons host the SMU Mustangs, with both teams seeking to gain traction in a crowded ACC race.
Wake Forest enters the night riding a much-needed road win, the kind that can quietly change a team’s confidence.
The Demon Deacons have made a habit of living dangerously in league play, but they’ve also shown an uncanny knack for closing games. When the clock gets tight, the ball tends to find Nate Calmese, and more often than not, good things happen.
Wake’s recent wins have come on last-second buckets, reinforcing the idea that this group doesn’t panic when possessions matter most.
Head coach Steve Forbes has leaned heavily into defense as fuel for offense.
Wake Forest thrives on disruption, forcing turnovers at a rate that puts constant pressure on opposing guards. That aggression shows up in the passing lanes, on ball pressure, and in quick runouts that turn mistakes into easy points.
It’s not always pretty, but it’s effective, especially at home.
SMU, meanwhile, arrives with a different challenge. The Mustangs have been competitive nearly every night, but details have decided their recent outcomes.
In their last outing, they protected the ball reasonably well. Still, they paid for it elsewhere, giving up too many rebounds and watching a disciplined opponent knock down perimeter shots at key moments.
That loss underscored how thin the margins are when you’re trying to win on the road in the ACC.
The matchup may swing on the glass. SMU’s ability to generate second chances has been a season-long strength, and big man Samet Yigitoglu sits at the center of that identity.
When he’s active around the rim, the Mustangs can tilt games without ever heating up from the outside. SMU coach Andy Enfield has been clear about expectations, wanting his seven-footer to finish efficiently and punish smaller lineups.
Of course, the emotional subplot belongs to Boopie Miller, who once wore Wake Forest colors and now orchestrates SMU’s offense. His scoring punch and playmaking give the Mustangs a steady hand, especially in hostile environments.
Neither team reports injuries, which means no excuses, just execution.
If Wake Forest controls turnovers, it can dictate tempo. If SMU owns the boards and finishes inside, it can silence the crowd. In a league where momentum is fleeting, Tuesday night feels like a fork in the road for both programs.