Boots On The Ground Pod

After discussing the Wake Forest returners in Part 1 of our summer transfer portal episode, join us for Part 2, where the BOTG crew breaks down the newcomers, including several players who could potentially crack the starting lineup. Additionally, we chat about the 2024-25 schedule as it stands, which now boasts a new Power Five opponent. Plus, our expectations for the season.

Hunter Sallis is BACK, and so is the BOTG Pod. Join us for the first time in nearly 2.5 months as we cover all the goings on of Wake Forest's transfer portal journey, most importantly that of Hunter Sallis. We break down his return, along with the other key returners for the Demon Deacons squad. Plus, some clips from Steve Forbes's meeting with the media from earlier in the week, along with our thoughts.

This is JUST the beginning of our portal content. A part two will be out in the following days focusing on the portal incomers, a new freshman guard and coming expectations for 2024-25.

The Boots on the Ground Pod is back. Tune in for our discussion on the end of the Wake Forest season, Steve Forbes' comments on what went wrong, the transfer portal, the future of the ACC and what the Deacs need to do to get back to the NCAAT.

After Wake Forest's three-game losing streak, imploding from a near-sure tournament team to one on the outside looking in, we take a step back and discuss all that's gone wrong.

We also open the mailbag for topics like the Damari Monsanto situation, explaining the high-highs and the low-lows, how the team opened against Georgia Tech, what could result in an at-large bid and the roster construction for next season.

Wake Forest's loss to Notre Dame was a trap game you could see coming from a mile away. The tough part is, unlike prior road losses, it's harder to pinpoint what the Deacs did wrong. Simply, the shots didn't go. The Irish dragged Wake Forest into the mud in the second half, and the team fell right into the trap.

Fortunately, it's not a crushing defeat. Wake Forest still has its tournament destiny in its hands. Virginia Tech is a tough matchup, mostly because it's on the road. The Deacs beat the Hokies by 23 at home. Can Wake Forest finally carry their brand of basketball outside of the Joel?

The "put up or shut up" time has come for Wake Forest. To make the NCAA Tournament, sometimes you just need to go snatch a win, and the Deacs need to do it on the road.

In its win over Pitt, Wake Forest flipped the page and got right back on track. It was a complete display of what can make the team so good: disciplined offense, ball distribution, good shot selection and strong defense. And, with that 33-point win, the Deacs inserted themselves further into the NCAA Tournament conversation. Now, the Deacs' destiny is in their hands.

And, the journey could get a lot easier with a win over Duke. Wake Forest was close in Durham, and could've won, but didn't do enough. The Blue Devils are not unbeatable. The Deacs, if they play their brand of good basketball, can get the job done Saturday.

Plus, Heat Check CBB's Bracketologist, Lukas Harkins, joins the pod to discuss Wake Forest's NCAA Tournament outlook and what the team needs to do in order to dance for the first time since 2017.

Wake Forest's game against Duke was a matter of different things working at different times. In the first half, the defense was strong. Offense, not so much. Flip that script in the second. And yet, the Deacons were oh so close.

In the end, a big part of never being able to make that final push was the lack of having the second-most impactful player on the court. Efton Reid had four fouls 30 seconds into the second half. He only played 15 total minutes, but was one of two Deacs with a positive plus/minus. If he plays 25 minutes, who knows what happens. Also, discussion on what Steve Forbes had to say about Reid's performance.

Plus, our take on the upcoming Virginia game, Wake Forest's tournament outlook and how this team needs to earn back the benefit of the doubt. This team needs a big win to turn the narrative...and its resume.

Coming close is one thing, winning at Cameron Indoor is another. Wake Forest hasn’t won a game on Duke’s home court since Jan. 11, 1997 — Dave Odom was the head coach, Tim Duncan scored 26 points and the Deacs were the No. 2 team in the nation.

And, as Deacons and Devils Illustrated's @ConorONeill_DI notes on the pod, Duke can out-talent bottom level ACC teams. Duke cannot out-talent Wake Forest. The Blue Devils are not unbeatable.

Wake Forest's past two wins felt like Steve Forbes catching lightning in a bottle. Was that just playing inferior opponents, or have the Deacs turned a corner?

Wake Forest looks like a tournament team. The metrics say the Deacs should be dancing. But, right now, the resume doesn't completely back it up. Wake needs Q1 wins. It has Duke twice, UVA, VT and Clemson ahead. It has the season's destiny in its hands. Take it. Don't let opportunities slip away.

Plus, game prep ahead of Saturday's matchup with NC State.

Last year, Wake Forest's loss at Pitt was a key part of the season's derailment. This year, the game is an opportunity. The Deacs are at a crossroads. Beating Pitt could be the most important victory of the season. It could be the win that catapults the team on a run to the NCAA Tournament. A loss could be the beginning of the end.

And, this game might just come down to the three-pointers -- Wake Forest's power to make them, as well as its ability to stop Blake Hinson. To beat Pitt, the Deacs need to play a full 40 minutes. They're the better team, but that sure need to play like it.

Plus, a discussion on the perceptions of the ACC, the SEC propaganda arm and a litany of false national narratives.