Wake Forest University has released its non‑conference slate for the 2026‑27 men’s basketball season, a schedule that blends home dominance with a series of challenging road tests.
A schedule built for growth
The Demon Deacons will open the season with eight home contests at the LJVM Coliseum, welcoming a mix of opponents that includes Charleston Southern, Southern Utah, Monmouth, Western Carolina, Hampton, Gardner‑Webb and Presbyterian.
Venturing onto the road, the team travels to face Power Four programs Vanderbilt and LSU, while also heading to Nashville to meet West Virginia in a neutral‑site showdown.
A highlight of the road trip is participation in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament on Paradise Island, Bahamas, where the Deacons will join a field that includes several of the nation’s top teams.
Coach Steve Forbes, now in his second year, will rely on a reloaded roster that features returning standouts Kevair Kennedy, Jamari McDowell, Justin Ray, Ring Nyeri, Antonio Dorn, Xander Pintelon and the newly arrived twin freshmen Gallagher and Gavin Placide.
The program’s recent home‑court success underscores the advantage it enjoys at LJVM Coliseum, where it has posted a 74‑17 record over the past five seasons.