Wake Forest vs Navy: NIT First Round

0:00On March 17th, Wake Forest men's basketball heads to the postseason for the third time in five years, hosting Navy in the first round of the national. Invitation tournament on Wednesday at 7pm and the LJBM Coliseum. The game airs nationally on ESPNU, marking the first match-up between the Demon Deacons and midshipmen in Winston-Salem since December 29th, 2000. The Demon Deacons wrapped up their ACC tournament with a 62-71 loss to Clemson, but key players stepped up. Sophomore Guard Juke Harris scored 22 points with four assists, while Senior Ford, Trayvon Spillers, notched 15 points in 12. Re-bounds for his third double-double this season, Senior Naked Commis added 20 points off the bench. Wake Forest boasts a stellar home record, with 73 wins at the Coliseum since 2021, second in the ACC. Their defense has forced 414 turnovers this season, tie for fourth in the conference. Harris has exploded this year, ranking as the ACC's most-improved player and second team all ACC, with over 700 points, one of the top marks.

1:06In school history, Navy earned the spot as Patriot League regular season champs, with a 17-in-1 record, their first postseason trip since 1998. They lead all-time five wins to four against Wake Forest, though the Deacons won the last meeting back in 2002. Austin Benigny paces the midshipman at 18 points per game. Fans can grab tickets starting Monday at $25 for lower-level seats, with parking at $10 per vehicle amid some construction. Updates, if Wake Forest advances, they'll face the winner of Illinois State and Kent State next. Made in the eye.