Wake Forest, dealing with Western Carolina, goals to shake off loss

Wake Forest returns home with a list of areas that need upgrades.

The Demon Deacons oppose Western Carolina on Tuesday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.

It will be Wake Forest’s fourth home outing against an opponent from outside power conferences.

The Demon Deacons (4-1) are sorting through issues following a 75-60 loss at unbeaten Xavier on Saturday.

“We just couldn’t sustain anything offensively without turning it over,” Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes said. “That’s something we obviously need to get fixed really fast.”

Western Carolina (2-1) is a bit of an unknown this season given that its two victories have come against Bob Jones (a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association) and Truett McConnell (an NAIA member) in outcomes with margins of 35 or more points.

First-year coach Tim Craft of Western Carolina arrived after coaching at Gardner-Webb. Craft said a roster overhaul with the Catamounts is one of the challenges as the team tries to form an identity.

Wake Forest is getting a boost from guard Davin Cosby, who racked up 13 points in the Xavier game as he made his first career start.

However, ballhandling snags have been a concern for Wake Forest.

“With 18 turnovers, I don’t think you can go and win anywhere,” Forbes said.

Western Carolina has enjoyed some perimeter success on offense. The Catamounts made 14 shots from 3-point range while topping Truett McConnell 99-64 on Wednesday.

Western Carolina forward Bernard Pelote, in his third season with the program, said he is trying to become more consistent as he adjusts to many new players around him.

“We do have some young talent,” Pelote said, anticipating a strong campaign for the team. “It’s not really a matter if it happens, it’s a matter of when it’s going to happen.”

Leading scorer Ice Emery (13.7 points per game) has made a team-high seven 3-pointers, while eight Western Carolina players have connected on multiple treys.

Emery is a transfer from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College.

Western Carolina’s only road game so far resulted in a 64-57 loss at Queens University of Charlotte.

The Catamounts will be making the first of three consecutive visits to power-conference opponents, with trips to Florida State and No. 15 Marquette upcoming.

Wake Forest defeated visiting Western Carolina 87-75 in a November 2021 game, the most recent matchup between the programs.

–Field Level Media