Wake Forest basketball isn't just about the ghost of Tim Duncan or Chris Paul’s highlight reels anymore. If you’ve looked at the wake forest basketball stats recently, you know things are getting weird in Winston-Salem—in a good way. Steve Forbes has this group playing a brand of "positionless" basketball that’s basically a math teacher’s nightmare and a fan’s fever dream.
They're 10-7 right now. Honestly, that record is a bit of a lie.
You look at that 84-87 heartbreaker against North Carolina on January 10th and you realize this team is about three bounces away from being ranked in the Top 25. They’re scoring 81.8 points per game, which puts them 88th in the country, but their schedule has been a gauntlet. They’ve played the 16th toughest strength of schedule in the nation. That matters.
The Juke Harris Explosion and Why It Matters
Most people expected the Deacs to take a massive hit after losing Hunter Sallis to the NBA (Philadelphia 76ers). Instead, we got Juke Harris.
The sophomore is currently averaging 20.4 points per game. That’s not a typo. He’s a 6'7" wing who plays like he’s 6'10" and shoots like he’s 6'2". He isn't just a volume shooter, either; he’s grabbing 6.3 rebounds a night. Usually, when a guy scores that much, his rebounding drops because he's leaking out for fast breaks. Not Juke.
He’s the engine.
When Harris is on the floor, the offensive rating jumps significantly. But here is the kicker: his usage rate is high, yet he’s still found a way to be the team’s leading rebounder. If you’re looking for a "star" stat, look at his free throw attempts. He’s making nearly six free throws a game. He's aggressive.
Supporting Cast: The Transfer Portal Wins
Steve Forbes is basically a wizard when it comes to the portal. He brought in Myles Colvin from Purdue and Nate Calmese from Washington State, and they’ve gelled way faster than anyone predicted.
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- Myles Colvin: 12.5 PPG. He’s the deep threat. He actually dropped 33 in a single game earlier this season.
- Nate Calmese: 5.2 assists per game. He’s the floor general they desperately needed to replace the veteran leadership lost last year.
- Tre’Von Spillers: 11.4 PPG and the team leader in blocks (1.4 BPG). He’s the defensive glue.
Behind the Curtain: The Advanced Wake Forest Basketball Stats
If you just look at the box score, you’re missing the real story. The Deacs are currently 51st in SRS (Simple Rating System), which accounts for margin of victory and strength of schedule.
They are efficient.
Their effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) sits at .518. For those who aren't stat nerds, that basically means they take smart shots. They aren't settling for contested mid-range jumpers. They either get to the rim or they kick it out for a three.
The Turnover Margin Trap
One thing that’s kinda killing them right now is the defensive glass. They rank 303rd in defensive rebounding. That is... bad. You can't give ACC teams second chances and expect to win consistently. They are allowing opponents to grab offensive boards on nearly 30% of their misses.
On the flip side, they force 15.6 turnovers per game.
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They play a "scramble" defense that lives on chaos. They're 25th in the country in steals (9.5 per game). It’s a high-risk, high-reward style. When it works, they blow teams out like they did against Campbell (99-51). When it doesn’t, they get exploited by disciplined teams like Oklahoma.
How They Stack Up in the ACC
The ACC is a meat grinder this year. Wake is currently sitting near the bottom of the conference standings at 1-3, but don't let that fool you. They've lost to Miami and UNC by a combined seven points.
They're better than their record.
The team's Free Throw percentage is a solid 75.8%. In close games—which the Deacs seem to play every single week—that’s the difference between a tournament bid and an NIT invite. They’ve got the 57th-best FT% in the country.
Why the "Home Court" Stat is Real
LJVM Coliseum has become a fortress. They are 8-3 at home this year. The "Screamin' Demons" student section is a legitimate factor. Their defensive rating at home is nearly 10 points better than it is on the road.
If you're betting on them or just following along, watch the road splits. They haven't won a true road game yet (0-2). Until they figure out how to pack that defensive intensity in a suitcase, they’re going to struggle to climb the ACC ladder.
The Omaha Biliew Factor
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Omaha Biliew, the highly-touted junior transfer from Iowa State, hasn't quite "popped" yet statistically. He's averaging 6.0 points and 2.3 rebounds.
But watch the tape.
The wake forest basketball stats don't show the "hockey assists" or the way he alters shots without getting the block. His defensive presence allows Tre’Von Spillers to roam and take risks. If Biliew can bump that scoring average up to 10 points in the back half of the season, Wake Forest becomes a dark horse for a deep March run.
What to Watch for Next
The schedule doesn't get easier. They have Florida State, SMU, and Duke coming up. If they can go 2-1 in that stretch, the metrics will skyrocket.
Keep an eye on the "Three-Point Rate." Wake Forest takes about 27 threes a game. If they hit 10 or more, they almost never lose. If they're cold, they don't have a "Plan B" post-up game to rely on. It’s a modern, perimeter-oriented attack that is as exciting as it is volatile.
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To truly understand where this team is going, stop looking at the wins and losses and start looking at the "Four Factors." Specifically, watch their Defensive Rebounding Percentage. If that number climbs into the top 150, they are a lock for the Big Dance.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Monitor the Road Splits: Until Wake wins a game in a hostile environment, treat them as a "home-heavy" team in your evaluations.
- Watch the FT Rate: Juke Harris lives at the line. If he’s not getting 6+ attempts, the offense tends to stagnate.
- Track Defensive Glass: The game is won or lost on the defensive boards for this specific roster. If they allow 10+ offensive rebounds, they’re in trouble.
- Evaluate Omaha Biliew’s Minutes: His impact is growing. An increase in his playing time usually correlates with better defensive efficiency.