Time: 4:30 PM Sunday March 21st, 2026
Location: Winston-Salem, NC | LJVM Coliseum, 12,799 capacity
TV: ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN App
Radio: Wake Forest Learfield Sports Network, Demon Deacons App (IOS | Android)
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Twitter: @WakeMBB | @BloggerSoDear | @EssexThayer7 | @Les_Johns | @ConorONeill_DI
Instagram: @WakeBasketball
Spread: Wake -7.5
Over/Under: 149.5
Wake’s Rating: KenPom: 75 | NET: 66
Opponent’s Rating: KenPom: 103 | NET: 95
Quad: 3
Kenpom Prediction: Wake wins 77-70
Opponent’s Best
Win: Belmont (72)
Opponent’s Worst Loss: Evansville (314)
Previous Matchup: Wake 79—Illinois State 81 (1976)
Head-to-Head All Time: 0-1
ESPN Matchup Predictor: 77% chance to win
Round 2 of the NIT is upon us, and the Deacs are taking on another mid-major, this time from the MVC. The Redbirds finished the season 12-8 in the conference and had impressive wins over 26-6 Belmont and NCAA Tournament team Northern Iowa—they also lost to 7-25 Evansville and 11-21 Indiana State. We will have to wait and see which version of Illinois State shows up to take on the Deacs today. Wake may have trouble slowing down 6-9, 290 pound Jr. Chase Walker, who is averaging 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 54% from the floor.
Go Deacs!
