Inheriting a team with just one senior and five freshmen, Jeff Bzdelik continues to work on his rebuilding project at Wake Forest.
Bzdelik left Colorado in April to take the job at Wake, and the Demon Deacons are 7-11, including 1-5 on the road and 0-3 in the ACC. Wake Forest has lost seven of its past eight games and is at minus-4.3 in scoring average to its opponents.
Bzdelik has tried five different starting lineups, with all including senior Gary Clark and sophomore C.J. Harris. Clark is the Deacons’ most veteran player, with 77 career games coming into the season. Harris was Wake Forest’s lone returning starter from last season.
After Wake lost its ACC opener to North Carolina State, Bzdelik questioned his team’s toughness during a conference call with reporters.
“We had about six or seven opportunities to take charges (against N.C. State). We took none — tried to dodge them or block shots instead of standing there and taking a hit,” Bzdelik said. “Toughness is executing under duress, taking charges, blocking people. All those areas we need to grow in. Inexperience and youth is no excuse.”
Denver Post staff
