Game Thread: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (18-16) vs Illinois State Redbirds (21-12) NIT Second Round
Everything you need to know for today’s game
Time : 4:30 PM Sunday March 21st, 2026 Location : Winston-Salem, NC | LJVM Coliseum, 12,799 capacity TV: ESPN2 Streaming : ESPN App Radio : Wake Forest Learfield Sports Network , Demon Deacons App ( IOS | Android ) Live Stats: Stat Broadcast Twitter : @WakeMBB | @BloggerSoDear | @EssexThayer7 | @Les_Johns | @ConorONeill_DI Instagram: @WakeBasketball Spread : Wake -7. 5 Over/Under : 149. 5 Wake’s Rating : KenPom: 75 | NET: 66 Opponent’s Rating : KenPom: 103 | NET: 95 Quad : 3 Kenpom Prediction: Wake wins 77-70 Opponent’s Best Win: Belmont (72) Opponent’s Worst Loss: Evansville (314) Previous Matchup: Wake 79—Illinois State 81 (1976) Head-to-Head All Time: 0-1 ESPN Matchup Predictor: 77% chance to win Round 2 of the NIT is upon us, and the Deacs are taking on another mid-major, this time from the MVC.
The Redbirds finished the season 12-8 in the conference and had impressive wins over 26-6 Belmont and NCAA Tournament team Northern Iowa—they also lost to 7-25 Evansville and 11-21 Indiana State. We will have to wait and see which version of Illinois State shows up to take on the Deacs today. Wake may have trouble slowing down 6-9, 290 pound Jr.
Chase Walker, who is averaging 13. 7 points, 5. 3 rebounds, and 2.
2 assists per game while shooting 54% from the floor. Go Deacs!