Wake Forest is improved, but how much?

Virginia coach Tony Bennett calls Wake Forest “one of the most improved teams" in the ACC.

Is this “coach speak”?

Wake Forest (11-12, 2-7) has dropped seven of its last eight league games, including four straight by an average margin of 15 points. Prior to that, the Demon Deacons had non-conference losses to Dayton, Arizona State, Seton Hall and Wofford.

But if Bennett is comparing this year’s Wake squad to the outfit that went just 8-24 (1-15 in the ACC) last season, well, he may be on to something. By that standard, the Demon Deacons have already won three more games and have doubled their league win total.

Just how good Wake is should become apparent very soon. Tonight, No. 19 Virginia (18-4, 5-3) plays host to the Demon Deacons at John Paul Jones Arena.

After a loss on the road to Florida State on Saturday, UVa will be looking to get back on the winning track against a squad that was picked to finish 11th by the media back in October.

“The ACC — every night is a tough battle,” said Virginia sophomore Joe Harris. “Virginia Tech is at the bottom of the league, but they played us tough, beat us, so you can’t overlook anybody, regardless of who you’re playing.

“We’re taking the same approach to Wake Forest.”

Wake Forest, whose ACC wins have come against Virginia Tech and Boston College, is led by guard C.J. Harris and forward Travis McKie. Harris is averaging 17.5 points, which ranks second in the ACC. McKie, a Richmond native who is averaging 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds, was recruited aggressively by Virginia when Bennett first took over the program in the spring of 2009.

“They’re really a good offensive scoring team and you’re going to have to guard them hard,” said Bennett, during his radio show on Monday night. “They’re capable.”

Wake Forest, though, is surrendering 70.7 points per game, which ranks last in the ACC. That should bode well for Virginia, which has been inconsistent offensively and is coming off a season-high 20 turnovers against FSU.

UVa lost the lone meeting last season with Wake (in Winston-Salem). The Wahoos, though, were without Mike Scott.

“He’s a real tough matchup, he really is,” said second-year Wake Forest coach Jeff Bzdelik, whose team is coming off a loss at N.C. State. “He’ll post up, mid-range, he can shoot it over the top of you. You put length on him and he scores in a variety of ways...

“He’s got great bulk, great size. He’s cagey and understands if you do double-team him where the double team is coming from. He’s playing at a very high level and gives that team a lot of confidence.”

Dunks

Wake Forest leads the all-time series, 69-59. The Demon Deacons have won six straight over Virginia...UVa will need more scoring from Akil Mitchell, Paul Jesperson and Darion Atkins, who were scoreless against FSU...UVa visits No. 5 North Carolina on Saturday before traveling to Clemson on Tuesday.