Wake Forest To Open Basketball Season On November 2
The Demon Deacons debut their rebuilt roster against Maryland Eastern Shore to start the season.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Basketball
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Wake Forest basketball is set to launch its season on November 2 against Maryland Eastern Shore in Winston-Salem. Coach Steve Forbes is leading the team into his seventh season following a major roster overhaul.
Why it matters
The program has aggressively integrated 12 newcomers through the transfer portal to improve performance after missing the NCAA Tournament since 2017. The team hopes these additions will elevate their standing after finishing 13th in the ACC last season.
Coach Steve Forbes maintains a 110-82 career record at Wake Forest. Last season, the team posted an 18-17 record and finished 13th in the ACC conference standings.
The players
Steve Forbes
He is the head coach of the Wake Forest basketball team entering his seventh season at the university.
Jamari McDowell
He is a player for the Wake Forest basketball team who is currently dealing with a plantar fasciitis injury.
The details
After losing eight leading players, the roster features 12 new additions including high-scoring transfers and sharp shooters. The team is currently adjusting to these changes while navigating injuries, with Jamari McDowell sidelined due to plantar fasciitis.
Timeline
The team last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2017.
Georgetown defeated Wake Forest 94-77 in an exhibition game on October 4, 2026.
Wake Forest will play an exhibition game against South Carolina on October 22, 2026.
The regular season opens against Maryland Eastern Shore on November 2, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This roster rebuild represents a critical pivot for Wake Forest as they attempt to break their seven-year postseason drought. The success of the 12 newcomers will determine if the team can move out of the bottom tier of the ACC and into the NCAA Tournament picture.
Fans in Winston-Salem can expect a significant shift in play style as 12 new players integrate into the rotation. The impact of these transfers will be measured immediately against Maryland Eastern Shore to gauge if the team can improve upon last season's 18-17 record.
The takeaway
The team's success hinges on how quickly the coaching staff can integrate new talent to overcome the departure of core contributors. Fans should watch the early exhibition period closely to see how the new rotation handles high-pressure minutes.
What happens next
Wake Forest will face South Carolina in an exhibition game on October 22, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming schedule, visit the Winston-Salem Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The North State Journal.
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