Game 16: UVA vs. Wake Forest

X (Twitter): @TreyKelleher3 (https://twitter.com/treykelleher3)

WINSTON-SALEM, NC- UVA (+5.5) VS. WAKE FOREST

After a 16 point loss at NC State last Saturday, Virginia had seven days until they tipped off at Lawrence Joel Coliseum to face Wake Forest, a team they had beaten nine straight times headed into this matchup.

Seven days to prepare, seven days to rest, seven days to work out the kinks. Instead, Virginia found themselves experiencing their own version of Groundhog Day on the road. They fell into an early hole, their shot selection was horrid, defensive mistakes were common, and that resulted in yet another 20+ point loss.

With their 66-47 victory, Wake improves to 12-4 (4-1 in the ACC), and continues their undefeated season at home (10-0). UVA falls to 11-5 (2-3 in the ACC), and continues being a completely different team on the road (0-4 in true road games with a -81 point differential).

Credit to Steve Forbes' crew, they came fired up and ready to play. The Demon Deacons were able to make 50 percent of their shots, 47 percent of their threes, 86 percent of their free throws, and they out-rebounded UVA 40-27.

Virginia, on the other hand, shot 28% from the field (24 percent in the second half), only made 4 threes, and took about 30 more mid-range jumpers than they should have (they attempted 31 mid-range shots).

UVA did force 17 turnovers and made 73% of their free throws (65.6% season average), so if you are looking for a bright spot, those are them. Nothing else.

It was nice to see the starting five shaken up a bit. Jordan Minor got his first start of the year and was impressive for the most part with 9 points and 5 boards. Tony Bennett is trying to find something that works and I believe there is still time to find it.

We know there is talent on this team, we see it at JPJ almost once a week. Unfortunately for UVA, they will not have a successful year unless they can compete on the road.

The good news? There is still time to fix it. The bad news? starting 2-3 in the ACC, 0-4 on the road, and claiming an 11-5 record halfway through the season has UVA in a deep hole in terms of NCAA tournament hopes.

Virginia will have to find something that clicks, and the beauty of this sport is that it can be a single basket, a single steal, or a single block that could turn things around for this team.

I still trust Tony to make it right, but please hurry Coach!

Next Up: vs. Virginia Tech 1/17 @ 7pm