The Hunt: No. 31, Wake Forest

The Hunt for the Most Interesting Team in the World is the Dagger's 2009-10 countdown preview series. Check out the overriding principles here. Last year's record: 24-7 (11-5, ACC)2009-2010's toughest games: at Purdue, at Gonzaga, vs. Xavier Primary attraction: After a roller coaster year that saw Wake Forest reach No. 1 before flaming out in the first round of the NCAAs, can the team withstand the losses of two first-rounders and make a repeat appearance in the tournament? Three items of undeniable interest:1. Back on schedule? -- Wake Forest's arrival came a year earlier than expected. At this time last season, most were expecting Wake to be a middle-of-the-road ACC team that would improve throughout the year and enter 2009-2010 as a potential preseason No. 1. But a quick start and wins over North Carolina and Duke propelled the Deacs to the top of the rankings in January, before a 7-6 finish ended with a thorough beat-down to No. 13 seed Cleveland State in the NCA...