Firing up a game week thread without a story because I've run out of time to finish what I wanted to write today.

I've got a story on Sam Hartman more than halfway done, but didn't want to rush the rest of it as we bump up against a basketball game starting. It was great to talk to Sam again today, even it was just virtual. I should be able to finish it tomorrow morning.

Other news and notables from Dave Clawson's press conference were some surprise from Clawson that such a veteran team has struggled to win one-score games -- that'll either be a separate story this week or the lede part of the preview.

Also on the injury front:

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Dropping all of the stories and update on this week's game here. Working on a story about Dave Clawson's comments on Sam Hartman that should be up before the basketball exhibition starts.

On the injury front:
Nick Andersen has had surgery and is out for the year. He just never got healthy off of that summer foot injury.
Rondell Bothroyd is a game-time decision with a hurt ankle. His situation will be week-to-week.

Preview for tomorrow night's game.

As a programming note ... I had Ethan Joyce lined up to cover the game, but he's just advised me that he's got a stomach bug. I'm trying to find a replacement in the meantime.

Here's the preview for tomorrow night's season-opening game against Fairfield.

As a programming note: I won't be there, but we'll have full coverage here from Patrick Southern, who you might remember having covered Wake's win against Liberty in football this season.

Porter covers his interest in Wake Forest ahead of a possible visit next weekend.

In lieu of a full-fledged preview, worked up a 5 things to watch for tomorrow night's exhibition game.

Sorry for the misleading nature of the headline -- a reminder that you can't watch the game unless you're in the Joel tomorrow night, as it's not on TV and there aren't streaming options. It will be called on radio by Stan Cotten -- I'll provide that link in this thread sometime before the game.

Bringing all coverage to one convenient thread this week ...

Kicking things off with a little deep dive on Wake's trend of hitting an offensive rhythm after failing to do much on first possessions.

Kicking things off this week with a story on Wake Forest coming out of the off week healthier and setting the stage for the second half of the season.

Today was Wake Forest's not-so-secret scrimmage against Ohio State.

Here's the word: Wake Forest had six players score in double figures; made 13 3-pointers; had 19 assists; and recorded 13 steals.

I didn't get a score or box but ... have heard that the Deacons handled Ohio State.

My thoughts:

Though it's not a lot to go on, it does seem to confirm what we thought going into the season: This team is more balanced than last season, it's got more shooters and that's going to be a focal point. The steals number is huge -- Forbes mentioned sometime recently that he might want to use a little press with this team because there's so much speed in the backcourt and length on the wings, and I think that might've shown up here.

Also: I owe yall a practice report from this week. I've got all of the nuts and bolts of the practice written, have a short something on Bobi Klintman written, just writing the feature-lede about Damari Monsanto and then that'll be posted -- I'll link when it's up.

Bonner is setting up a visit with Wake Forest. A prospect to watch.

Practice report is basically a feature on Damari Monsanto plus a Bobi Klintman update -- and then about 1,300 words of play-by-play practice action.

Film review on the FSU game is posted, so it's time for this week's game thread.

Will post updates from press conference later today.

Here's the preseason All-ACC ballot filed this morning -- with some explanations on picks and the way I see things shaking out.

Would love to know your thoughts, whether you think I'm going to be right or Wong!

Wake Forest's staff has mobilized yesterday and today to visit commits. Here have been their trips:

James Adams visited Davaughn Patterson yesterday and Rushaun Tongue today. (both of them are safeties)

Dave Cohen visited Tyler Walton yesterday and Sam Williams today. (both of them in Georgia, Cohen's recruiting territory)

Brad Lambert is visiting Ka'Shawn Thomas and Chris Marable Jr. today. (both future DTs)

Paul Williams is visiting Antonio Robinson today. (only current 4-star of the class and a CB)

Kevin Higgins visited Micah Mays* yesterday and is seeing Hilton Alexander today. (both WRs; Mays is an outside guy, Alexander is a slot)

* Mays looks like he'll be the one WF will have to fight to hold on to, with Miami suddenly very interested in him. He was at Miami for last weekend's game against UNC.

Wayne Lineburg is visiting Tyler Black today. (makes sense, he's the kicker/punter)

Warren Ruggiero is visiting Charlie Gilliam today. (again making sense, he's the QB)

Nick Tabacca is visiting Kyland Armstrong and Devin McRae yesterday and today, (I think respectively but not entirely sure).