WINSTON-SALEM -- With point guard Ishmael Smith capable of beating everyone in transition and five players 6-feet-9 or taller in the rotation, there was really no question that Wake Forest would be able to score around the rim this season.
But even after beating Oral Roberts 76-56 in their season opener on Friday night, it's still unclear whether the Demon Deacons will be able to consistently make outside shots.
Wake (1-0) made only seven jumpers - including just one in the first half - at Lawrence Joel Coliseum. It didn't matter much against the Golden Eagles, who were picked to finish second in the Summit League's preseason poll. But a lack out outside swishes could become a huge concern, especially during the ACC season when multiple foes will be able to match their height in the lane.
The Deacons - which lost 42 percent of their scoring when Jeff Teague and James Johnson left early for the NBA, and 66 percent of their made 3-pointers when you add Harvey Hale's graduation to the mix - nonetheless broke away early by using an 11-0 run to take a 20-7 lead. Weaver's 12-footer began the onslaught, but it was punctuated by a couple of dunks from freshman Ari Stewart and Weaver.
By halftime, Wake had made 15 of their 35 shots, relying on power moves, tip-backs and athletic drives. But it 0-for-8 from behind the arc. It didn't help that reserve guard Gary Clark, one of the team's few possible outside threats, was ill and not even in the building.
And the outside shooting got only slightly better after the break.
Al-Farouq Aminu finally buried the Deacons' first 3-pointer of the game with 16:38 left, to make it 45-30. Then Stewart, a 6-7 forward from Marietta, Ga., added two 3s and a jumper from the top of the key. Aminu added two more 3s in the final five minutes.
Aminu led the Deacons with 25 points. Smith had 4 points, 4 assists and 5 turnovers; he made only 2 of his 11 shots.
Wake was 11th in the league in 3-point percentage last season (.320) and dead last in made 3-pointers (4.1 per game).
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at
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