Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes has tried to mold his team with an emphasis on consistent physicality.
The Demon Deacons will put their new theme on display in the season opener against visiting Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.
During preseason action, which featured a 17-point loss to Georgetown and a nine-point setback at Southern Carolina, Forbes was quick to note areas to address.
“We have to do a better job of playing through physicality,” Forbes said.
Wake Forest had an 18-17 record last year. Sophomore guard Isaac Carr (2.2 ppg, 1.2 apg) is the only returnee who had a significant role.
“I think he can be a really high-level defensive player,” Forbes said. “He’s a really good athlete. He’s in elite condition.”
Carr said the preseason has brought about good connections within the revamped roster.
“I think the guys we have on our team, we get along really well,” Carr said. “I think that’s a big part for us. We also got some good size this year, but I think the biggest thing is just how competitive we are in practice and how together we are.”
Kansas transfer Jamari McDowell (1.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg) figures to start on a wing. Merrimack transfer Kevair Kennedy (18.4 ppg, 4.2 apg), who won Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, takes over at the point.
“I think that he embodies a lot of things that I believe in — grittiness and toughness and relentlessness,” Forbes said.
Wake Forest fans might also notice freshman twins on the team in 6-foot-11 Gavin Placide and 6-9 Gallagher Placide.
“I think Gavin is a really good player,” Forbes said. “We just need him to go rebound more.”
Maryland-Eastern Shore, coming off a 9-23 season, could have another challenging season in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
But the Hawks are interested in being tested. The opener serves as the first of three matchups with Atlantic Coast Conference teams. They’ll also visit Rhode Island, DePaul and Saint Joseph’s as part of their 12 non-conference road games.
“We wanted to be intentional about our schedule,” said coach Cleo Hill Jr., who begins his third season. “It’s a matter of us adjusting.”
One of the Hawks’ key players could be guard Saadiq Moore, a transfer from Triton College.
Sophomore forward Levi Beckwith, a Raleigh, N.C., native, is the Hawks’ only returnee. He started 24 games and averaged 2.0 points and 2.9 rebounds. Saadiq Moore, a transfer from Triton College who spent a year at Boise State, could be the starting point guard.
Hill is no stranger to Winston-Salem. Prior to taking over at Maryland-Eastern Shore, he spent six seasons as coach at Division II Winston-Salem State.