If you’ve spent any time at the Joel lately, you know the vibe is... complicated. One night, Steve Forbes looks like a tactical genius pulling all the right strings, and the next, the Demon Deacons are left scratching their heads after a double-digit collapse. Honestly, the current state of Wake Forest basketball news isn't just about box scores; it’s about a program trying to find its identity in a post-Hunter Sallis world. We all knew replacing a guy who averaged over 18 points and eventually signed with the 76ers would be a tall order. But nobody expected it to be this much of a rollercoaster.
Right now, Wake sits at 10-7 overall with a 1-3 record in the ACC. That’s the reality. It’s not great, but it’s not a total dumpster fire either. You’ve got a team that can beat Memphis in a neutral-site nail-biter and then get absolutely waxed by Vanderbilt by 31 points at home. It’s the kind of inconsistency that keeps fans up at night.
The Juke Harris Leap and the Scoring Void
Let's talk about Juke Harris. If you aren't watching this kid, you're missing the only reason Wake stays competitive in half these games. The 6-7 sophomore from Salisbury is basically the entire offense right now. He’s putting up 20.4 points per game. That’s massive. He’s long, he’s aggressive, and he’s clearly the "alpha" Forbes was looking for.
But here is the problem: who else is helping? Myles Colvin, the Purdue transfer, has had his moments, averaging about 12.5 points, but the drop-off after that is steep. Tre’Von Spillers is a beast on the boards and brings that App State toughness, but he’s not a primary creator.
When Harris has an off night, the offense stagnates. We saw it in the loss to NC State (70-57) on New Year's Eve. When the shots aren't falling, the Deacs don't have a "Plan B" that involves pounding the ball inside. They live and die by the perimeter, and lately, it’s been a lot of dying.
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That Heartbreaker in Chapel Hill
If you want to understand where this team is at, just look at the January 10th game against North Carolina. Wake Forest lost 87-84. On paper, losing by three to a top-15 UNC team at the Dean Dome sounds respectable. It might even feel like a "moral victory."
Forbes didn't see it that way. He was visibly frustrated in the postgame, and for good reason. Wake was down by 15 and fought all the way back to within two points in the final minutes. They had the momentum. Then, they simply couldn't stop the UNC big man tandem of Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar. Those two combined for 47 points and shot 89% from the floor.
The defense is the real Wake Forest basketball news that people aren't talking enough about. Giving up nearly 90 points is a recipe for disaster in the ACC. Wake is currently ranked 233rd nationally in points allowed per game. You can’t win a conference title—or even make the tournament—with a defense that porous.
The Transfer Portal Gamble
Forbes has always been a portal king. He turned Alondes Williams and Tyree Appleby into stars. This year, the haul was heavy:
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- Nate Calmese (Washington State): A senior guard who was supposed to be the floor general. He's averaging 5.2 assists, which is solid, but his 29% clip from three is hurting the spacing.
- Mekhi Mason (Washington): Another senior who brings veteran leadership but hasn't quite found his rhythm as a consistent third option.
- Omaha Biliew (Iowa State): This one hurts the most for fans who expected a five-star impact. He's playing limited minutes and averaging only 6 points. The potential is there, but the production hasn't followed him from Ames to Winston-Salem.
- Cooper Schwieger (Valparaiso): A 6-10 junior who was supposed to provide much-needed frontcourt depth. He's only giving them 4.1 points a game.
The chemistry just isn't there yet. It feels like a collection of talented individuals rather than a cohesive unit. In the modern NIL era, you've gotta hit on these transfers, and right now, the hit rate is hovering around 50%.
Recruiting Hope: Gavin Placide is Coming
If the current season feels like a slog, the future actually looks pretty bright. Wake Forest recently landed Gavin Placide for the 2026 class. He’s a 6-11 four-star recruit out of Texas, and honestly, he’s exactly what this roster is missing.
Placide is a "downhill" big man. He doesn't just sit in the paint; he handles the ball and facilitates. Forbes called him one of the most versatile players he’s recruited. Landing a top-50 national prospect is a huge win for a staff that has been leaning maybe a little too hard on the portal lately. It's the first time since 2010 that Wake has secured three top-100 high school additions in a single cycle.
What’s Next for the Deacons?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. Today, January 17, they face Florida State. Then it’s SMU, followed by a massive home game against Duke on the 24th. If they want any chance at an at-large bid, they have to go at least 3-2 over this next five-game stretch.
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The "bubble" is already starting to form, and Wake is currently on the outside looking in. They have the 19th hardest Strength of Schedule in the country, which helps their metrics, but at some point, you have to actually win the games.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Watch the Defensive Rotations: If Forbes doesn't tighten up the interior defense, expect opponents with skilled bigs (like Duke) to feast. Wake is vulnerable to "big-to-big" passing.
- The Juke Harris Prop Bets: Until someone else proves they can score, Juke is going to keep getting 15+ shots a game. His volume is guaranteed.
- Home Court Advantage: Despite the Vanderbilt outlier, Wake is a much better shooting team at the Joel. Look for them to cover spreads at home but struggle significantly on the road in the ACC.
- Monitor the 2026 Class: Keep an eye on Gavin Placide's senior year highlights. His arrival will likely signal a shift back to a more traditional, high-school-heavy recruiting model for Forbes.
The season is far from over, but the margin for error is gone. Wake Forest needs to find a defensive identity, and they need to find it before Duke comes to town. Otherwise, it’s going to be another year of "what if" in Winston-Salem.