I remember when I did my comm/single I was all kinds of nervous for the power off 180 especially since it was my last maneuver before sign off. I did it in a 73' Arrow in summer desert heat. My best advice is turn base as soon as that power is idle. Grab a wind check on downwind so you can visualize what that wind is doing. I did mine at 12G17K and a 30 degree left crosswind. Soon as I turned base I'd go first notch of flaps in....figure if I'm high or low and feel if I need more flaps. I always liked being a bit high on the roll out because I knew if I pitched to bleed the speed off that plane would drop like a rock. I even would wait till I was absolutley sure I had my aiming point nailed before going props full. Even that small amount of prop angle can add drag.

I always felt this should have been covered in private training because it's a maneuver that once you can execute it makes you more at ease with the airplane.

On check ride I probably had a 60 degree right bank turning base to final to bleed that speed off. I pulled it out of my ass and greased that landing on my touchdown point (2nd center line) and had a gorgeous flare. Even the DPE went "whoa, **** nice". Talk about a confidence builder.

Good luck man! Don't over think this one.