Wake Forest @ Florida State preview

Wake Forest at Florida State

Last Meeting ( Jan 31, 2018 ) Florida State 72, Wake Forest 76

No. 19 Florida State aims for its sixth consecutive victory when it hosts Wake Forest in an ACC contest on Wednesday. The Seminoles are looking to match their longest winning streak in ACC play since capturing a school-record seven in a row en route to the conference title in 2011-12.

The Seminoles kept their hot streak going with an 80-75 overtime victory over Louisville on Saturday, giving them wins in 42 of their last 45 home games. The Demon Deacons are back in action for the first time in eight days as they look to build off a 78-76 overtime triumph over Pittsburgh on Feb. 5. The win snapped a five-game skid for the Demon Deacons, who had not won since stunning then-No. 17 North Carolina State on Jan. 15. Wake Forest snapped a five-game losing streak in the all-time series with a 76-72 home victory last season, but it has lost five straight at Florida State dating to 2008.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ACC Network, RSN

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (9-13, 2-8 ACC): The Demon Deacons have had their share of growing pains with four freshmen and three sophomores on the roster - including two of each in the starting lineup. The young group does have a leader in junior guard Brandon Childress (15.3 points, 4.1 assists), who twice has recorded 28 points this season. Freshman forward Jaylen Hoard (14 points, 8.4 rebounds) registered 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds against Pitt for his sixth double-double.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (18-5, 6-4): The Seminoles rely on their defense and depth to carry them as only two players average double digits in points, but eight average at least 15.7 minutes and 5.9 points. Reserve forward Mfiondu Kabengele (13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds) has emerged as the team’s most effective offensive player, scoring in double figures in six straight games and averaging 18.7 points over that stretch. Swingman Terance Mann (12.3 points, 6.6 rebounds) is a matchup problem at 6-7 with the ability to score from anywhere on the floor, and 7-4 center Christ Koumadje is a factor in the paint at both ends of the floor.

TIP-INS

1. Florida State’s bench has outscored opponents’ reserves 321-131 through 23 games.

2. Wake Forest has lost nine straight games in the state of Florida dating to a win over Texas Tech in the 2011-12 Old Spice Classic in Orlando.

3. Mann is 15-for-20 from the floor over his last three games.

PREDICTION: Florida State 79, Wake Forest 66