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Wake Forest Basketball: Dinos Mitoglou’s departure hurts Demon Deacons

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 14: Head coach Danny Manning of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons reacts during the First Four game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 14, 2017 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 14: Head coach Danny Manning of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons reacts during the First Four game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 14, 2017 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Wake Forest was going to take a step backward next season, but it was not thought to be a drastic drop in success. Unfortunately, that may change, as they will be without Dinos Mitoglou.

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons received some bad news, as expected senior Dinos Mitoglou has decided to forgo another year in college and head off to play professionally in Europe.

Mitoglou has played a key role for the Demon Deacons over the last few seasons and would be expected to take a bit bigger of a workload with John Collins moving on to the NBA. He has averaged just over 22 minutes per game while at Wake Forest as well as around nine points per game. His rebounding numbers increased each season and would have likely increased yet again in 2017-18.

It should be noted that Mitoglou is originally from Greece, so it makes sense that he would go play professionally in Europe after his career at Wake Forest is over.

Wake Forest, who will field a decent team next season, is not expected to make the NCAA Tournament and probably will not even contend for a spot in the Big Dance. This is due to the overall strength of the ACC as much as it is from the loss of Collins, but you have to think that their likely struggles next season helped make Mitoglou’s decision to go pro that much easier.

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The Demon Deacons will be transitioning yet again next season, and Mitoglou’s departure will not do them any favors.