After discussing the Wake Forest returners in Part 1 of our summer transfer portal episode, join us for Part 2, where the BOTG crew breaks down the newcomers, including several players who could potentially crack the starting lineup. Additionally, we chat about the 2024-25 schedule as it stands, which now boasts a new Power Five opponent. Plus, our expectations for the season.

Hunter Sallis is BACK, and so is the BOTG Pod. Join us for the first time in nearly 2.5 months as we cover all the goings on of Wake Forest's transfer portal journey, most importantly that of Hunter Sallis. We break down his return, along with the other key returners for the Demon Deacons squad. Plus, some clips from Steve Forbes's meeting with the media from earlier in the week, along with our thoughts. This is JUST the beginning of our portal content. A part two will be out in the following days focusing on the portal incomers, a new freshman guard and coming expectations for 2024-25.

The Boots on the Ground Pod is back. Tune in for our discussion on the end of the Wake Forest season, Steve Forbes' comments on what went wrong, the transfer portal, the future of the ACC and what the Deacs need to do to get back to the NCAAT.

After Wake Forest's three-game losing streak, imploding from a near-sure tournament team to one on the outside looking in, we take a step back and discuss all that's gone wrong. We also open the mailbag for topics like the Damari Monsanto situation, explaining the high-highs and the low-lows, how the team opened against Georgia Tech, what could result in an at-large bid and the roster construction for next season.

Wake Forest's loss to Notre Dame was a trap game you could see coming from a mile away. The tough part is, unlike prior road losses, it's harder to pinpoint what the Deacs did wrong. Simply, the shots didn't go. The Irish dragged Wake Forest into the mud in the second half, and the team fell right into the trap. Fortunately, it's not a crushing defeat. Wake Forest still has its tournament destiny in its hands. Virginia Tech is a tough matchup, mostly because it's on the road. The Deacs beat the Hokies by 23 at home. Can Wake Forest finally carry their brand of basketball outside of the Joel? The "put up or shut up" time has come for Wake Forest. To make the NCAA Tournament, sometimes you just need to go snatch a win, and the Deacs need to do it on the road.

In its win over Pitt, Wake Forest flipped the page and got right back on track. It was a complete display of what can make the team so good: disciplined offense, ball distribution, good shot selection and strong defense. And, with that 33-point win, the Deacs inserted themselves further into the NCAA Tournament conversation. Now, the Deacs' destiny is in their hands. And, the journey could get a lot easier with a win over Duke. Wake Forest was close in Durham, and could've won, but didn't do enough. The Blue Devils are not unbeatable. The Deacs, if they play their brand of good basketball, can get the job done Saturday. Plus, Heat Check CBB's Bracketologist, Lukas Harkins, joins the pod to discuss Wake Forest's NCAA Tournament outlook and what the team needs to do in order to dance for the first time since 2017.

Wake Forest's game against Duke was a matter of different things working at different times. In the first half, the defense was strong. Offense, not so much. Flip that script in the second. And yet, the Deacons were oh so close. In the end, a big part of never being able to make that final push was the lack of having the second-most impactful player on the court. Efton Reid had four fouls 30 seconds into the second half. He only played 15 total minutes, but was one of two Deacs with a positive plus/minus. If he plays 25 minutes, who knows what happens. Also, discussion on what Steve Forbes had to say about Reid's performance. Plus, discussion on the upcoming Virginia game, Wake Forest's tournament outlook and how this team needs to earn back the benefit of the doubt. This team needs a big win to turn the narrative...and its resume.

Coming close is one thing, winning at Cameron Indoor is another. Wake Forest hasn’t won a game on Duke’s home court since Jan. 11, 1997 — Dave Odom was the head coach, Tim Duncan scored 26 points and the Deacs were the No. 2 team in the nation. And, as Deacons and Devils Illustrated's @ConorONeill_DI notes on the pod, Duke can out-talent bottom level ACC teams. Duke cannot out-talent Wake Forest. The Blue Devils are not unbeatable.

Wake Forest's past two wins felt like Steve Forbes catching lightning in a bottle. Was that just playing inferior opponents, or have the Deacs turned a corner? Wake Forest looks like a tournament team. The metrics say the Deacs should be dancing. But, right now, the resume doesn't completely back it up. Wake needs Q1 wins. It has Duke twice, UVA, VT and Clemson ahead. It has the season's destiny in its hands. Take it. Don't let opportunities slip away. Plus, game prep ahead of Saturday's matchup with NC State.

Last year, Wake Forest's loss at Pitt was a key part of the season's derailment. This year, the game is an opportunity. The Deacs are at a crossroads. Beating Pitt could be the most important victory of the season. It could be the win that catapults the team on a run to the NCAA Tournament. A loss could be the beginning of the end. And, this game might just come down to the three-pointers -- Wake Forest's power to make them, as well as its ability to stop Blake Hinson. To beat Pitt, the Deacs need to play a full 40 minutes. They're the better team, but that sure need to play like it. Plus, a discussion on the perceptions of the ACC, the SEC propaganda arm and a litany of false national narratives.

Wake Forest still looks like a tournament team, but it is also the definition of "the bubble" right now. There are 12 ACC games remaining and going forward, the Deacs must protect the Joel while proving they can pick up big wins on the road. For Wake Forest to get an invitation to the "Big Dance," there are some non-negotiables. Plus, a mailbag segment where Ben and Essex discuss topics like Wake's basketball injury status, the upcoming QB battle, Deacs' football predictions and our favorite press boxes. Follow us on Twitter @BootsOTGPod

North Carolina has the potential to be a Final Four bound team. It can compete for a national championship. Both the offensive and defensive metrics are incredibly strong, and the Heels have star power in RJ Davis and Armando Bacot. It will take near-perfect basketball for Wake Forest to take down North Carolina Monday night, but it's possible. Plus, BOTG welcomes a very special guest, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, to help break down the game. Follow us on Twitter @BootsOTGPod

The final minute of Wake Forest-NC State was marred by incredibly poor refereeing. They inserted themselves into the game, to the detriment of both teams at different times, and thus had an impact on the result. But Wake Forest never should've been in that position. The Deacs led by 11 with under 10 minutes to go. But, because of foul trouble and a continuing turnover trend, Wake Forest let a big opportunity get away. Now, the Deacs will have to fight back. Join us for a recap of the wild game at NC State, as well as preparation for Louisville this Saturday. Follow us on Twitter @BootsOTGPod

Wake Forest's 20 turnovers in the loss to Florida State isn't going to cut it in just about any game. But that's just it, one game. The Deacs have done a lot of good things thus far, the metrics reflect it. Now, it's about moving forward. Wake Forest can still be a serious force in the ACC. The early portion of the season is behind us. Now is the critical time for the Deacs. Currently, eight Quad 1 games are on the schedule. This is the stretch that will decide whether Wake Forest dances in March. But the Deacs are "in position to be in position." Plus, a preview of Saturday's game against Virginia, and a discussion with Deacons Illustrated's Conor O'Neill. Follow us on Twitter @BootsOTGPod

Wake Forest found a way to beat a very good Miami team despite the foul trouble, the cold streaks and the Hurricane runs. Behind key three-pointers from Hunter Sallis and Boopie Miller, the Deacs forced overtime in a regulation where they didn't lead for the final 10 minutes. Then, Wake Forest clawed out of a five-point hole in the extra period. That's resiliency. That's maturity. Now, the conversation is beginning on Wake Forest. Can the Deacs compete for an ACC title? Can Wake Forest make a run to/in the NCAA Tournament? Wake Forest has a chance to start 4-0 in the ACC for the first time since 2004-05. To do it, it'll need to beat Florida State on Tuesday. Get ready for the game with BOTG, where we preview the matchup and break down the victory over Miami. Follow us on Twitter @BootsOTGPod

Wake Forest hasn't been 2-0 in the ACC since the 2008-09 season. Miami will put that undefeated conference record to the test, matching the Deacs' high-octane offense with one of its own. Between Nijel Pack, Wooga Poplar, Matthew Cleveland and Norchad Omier, the Hurricanes will be hard to stop. But it's possible. Wake Forest's defense is much improved. Miami's is porous. With the right combination of offensive success, gritty defense, rebounding, turnovers and other keys, this is a game the Deacs can pull out. And if Wake Forest passes the test, it will be further proof of what this team is capable of: contending in the ACC and making a return to the NCAA Tournament. Plus, our recaps and thoughts on the Deacons' two wins vs Virginia Tech and Boston College to open conference play. Follow us on Twitter @BootsOTGPod

The time for Wake Forest's first ACC matchup has come. Virginia Tech travels to the Joel on Dec. 30 for a game that will feature a dynamic offense against a stout defense. And, the battle will start in the middle with Efton Reid facing off with VT's Lynn Kidd. To win, the Deacs need to be more than just their offense, though. A commitment to defense, rebounding and coming out ready to play is paramount. This team, for stretches, has been nearly unbeatable. Can they do it to open up the conference? Follow us on Twitter @BootsOTGPod

Wake Forest's blowout wins over Delaware State and Presbyterian were just that: blowouts. But that does not mean the victories were without concerns. The Demon Deacons have consistently started slow against inferior opponents. That has also, though, allowed for opportunities to formulate game-ending runs in the blink of an eye. The Deacs have proven they can get it done in stretches. Now, entering ACC play, it's about putting it all together for 40 minutes. Plus, a discussion on the "usual suspects," the utilization of Efton Reid and Parker Friedrichsen, and a minutes squeeze on the horizon. Follow us on Twitter @BootsOTGPod

Wake Forest has added veteran quarterback Hank Bachmeier in the transfer portal while losing key pieces at halfback (Justice Ellison) and wideout (Jahmal Banks, Ke’Shawn Williams, Wesley Grimes). The Deacs have also grown thin in the secondary with the departures of AJ Williams, Chelen Garnes, Malik Mustapha and Caelen Carson. For the first time in a long time, Wake is headed for an open quarterback battle in camp. Plenty of questions remain in the transfer portal and beyond.

Wake Forest's breakaway victory over NJIT was highlighted by the coming-of-age performance by freshman Parker Friedrichsen, whose 19 points the Deacs couldn't live without. Essex and Ben break down the win, Friedrichsen's performance and the continued growth of both Boopie Miller and Zach Keller. Plus, our thoughts on the game going on behind the shadows: the metrics, and Steve Forbes' comments on the topic after the game. All that and more on the BOTG Pod.