The 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Classic will bring together the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the UMass Minutemen on December 6 in Springfield, Massachusetts, in a matchup that promises to rekindle a rivalry that has been evenly split over the years.
Series history
The two programs have met just twice before, each claiming a victory; most recently Wake Forest posted a 71‑47 win over UMass in 1996, while the Minutemen hold a 1‑1 edge in the all‑time series.
Coaching narrative
UMass head coach Frank Martin enters his fifth season at the helm, a tenure marked by steady improvement and a recent run that saw the team knock off Miami (OH) in the MAC quarterfinals, ending the last unbeaten streak of the season.
Martin’s guidance has helped the Minutemen secure two of the last three Hall of Fame Classic games against Power Four opponents, underscoring the program’s upward trajectory.
Wake Forest’s recent form
The Demon Deacons are coming off their third postseason appearance in the past five seasons, having earned a No. 1 seed in the NIT, and they will next test themselves against West Virginia on December 19 at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Hall of Fame Classic itself has become a showcase for mid‑major programs, often delivering surprising upsets and high‑profile matchups that draw national attention.