What Happened to Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball?
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball program, under head coach Steve Forbes since 2020, has shown signs of resurgence, securing a long-term contract for Forbes and achieving multiple winning seasons. While consistently competitive in the challenging ACC, the team has recently aimed for deeper postseason runs, participating in the NIT in both 2024 and 2026, with their 2025-2026 season currently in progress as of March 22, 2026, in the NIT Second Round.
Quick Answer
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team, led by head coach Steve Forbes, has been working to re-establish itself as a consistent contender in the ACC. After a strong 2024-2025 season where they finished 4th in the ACC but declined an NIT bid, the 2025-2026 season saw them finish 18-16 (7-11 ACC) and accept a bid to the NIT. As of March 22, 2026, they defeated Navy in the NIT First Round and are scheduled to play Illinois State in the Second Round.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Steve Forbes Hired as Head Coach
Steve Forbes was appointed as the head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball team, beginning a new era for the program.
Steve Forbes Signs Long-Term Contract Extension
Wake Forest University announced a long-term contract extension for head coach Steve Forbes, recognizing his early impact and commitment to the program's future.
ACC Tournament Quarterfinal Loss (2022-23 Season)
The Demon Deacons concluded their 2022-23 season with a 19-14 (10-10 ACC) record, losing to Miami in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament after defeating Syracuse.
ACC Tournament Quarterfinal Loss (2023-24 Season)
Wake Forest finished the 2023-24 season 21-14 (11-9 ACC) and lost to Pittsburgh in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
NIT Second Round Loss (2023-24 Season)
After receiving an at-large bid to the NIT, Wake Forest defeated Appalachian State in the First Round before losing to Georgia in the Second Round, ending their season.
Matches School Record for ACC Wins (2024-25 Season)
Wake Forest defeated Georgia Tech to finish the regular season 21-11 (13-7 ACC), matching a school record for 13 ACC regular season victories.
ACC Tournament Quarterfinal Loss and Declined NIT (2024-25 Season)
As the 4th seed in the ACC Tournament, Wake Forest lost to North Carolina in the quarterfinals and subsequently declined an invitation to the NIT.
Lands Three Top 2026 Recruits
Wake Forest basketball secured commitments from three top 2026 recruits, including Quentin Coleman and twins Gavin and Gallagher Placide, boosting the program's future outlook.
ACC Tournament Second Round Loss (2025-26 Season)
Wake Forest fell in the second round of the 2026 ACC Tournament, concluding their conference play with an 18-16 (7-11 ACC) record before postseason selections.
Selected for 2026 NIT
The Wake Forest men's basketball team was selected to participate in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament, accepting a bid after declining one the previous year.
NIT First Round Win vs. Navy
Wake Forest defeated Navy 82-72 in the First Round of the 2026 NIT at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, with Juke Harris leading the scoring.
NIT Second Round vs. Illinois State (Status Pending)
Wake Forest is scheduled to host Illinois State in the Second Round of the 2026 NIT. As of the current date, the outcome of this game is pending or not yet widely reported.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball program has experienced a period of rebuilding and renewed ambition under head coach Steve Forbes, who was hired on April 30, 2020. Forbes quickly made an impact, leading to a long-term contract extension announced on March 7, 2022, signaling the university's commitment to his vision for the program.
During the 2022-2023 season, the Demon Deacons finished with a respectable 19-14 overall record and a 10-10 mark in ACC play, tying for eighth place. Their ACC Tournament run saw them defeat Syracuse before falling to Miami in the quarterfinals. The following 2023-2024 season continued this upward trend, as Wake Forest achieved a 21-14 overall record and an 11-9 ACC record, finishing in a three-way tie for fifth place. They received an at-large bid to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), where they defeated Appalachian State in the First Round before losing to Georgia in the Second Round.
The 2024-2025 season marked another step forward in ACC regular-season performance, with the Demon Deacons finishing 21-11 overall and 13-7 in ACC play, securing the fourth seed in the ACC Tournament. This tied a school record for single-season ACC regular season victories. However, their tournament journey ended in the quarterfinals with a loss to North Carolina, and they subsequently declined an invitation to the NIT.
For the current 2025-2026 season, Wake Forest concluded the regular season with an 18-16 overall record and a 7-11 ACC record, finishing 13th in the conference. They were selected for the 2026 NIT, hosting Navy in the First Round on March 18, 2026, which they won 82-72. As of March 22, 2026, Wake Forest is scheduled to host Illinois State in the NIT Second Round. The outcome of this game is pending or not yet widely reported at the time of this writing. Key players for the 2025-2026 season include Juke Harris, who has been a prolific scorer, and Tre'Von Spillers, a strong presence in the paint. The program continues to build under Forbes, with a focus on developing talent and achieving consistent postseason success.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball made different choices?