Wake Forest Set to Face North Carolina

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest men's basketball team will play North Carolina on Wednesday in the Dean Smith Center for the first leg of a two-game road swing along Tobacco Road.

The Demon Deacons (3-5, 0-5) are coming off a difficult four-game stretch in which the team faced four consecutive ranked ACC opponents for only the third time in program history.

Wake Forest is also the first ACC team to face four straight AP Top-25 teams in conference play since Louisville did so in February 2019. The unranked Deacs were able to tie the game or get within one possession in the second half of each of those four games.

A victory over the Tar Heels (8-5, 3-3) would give Wake Forest their first ACC win of the season. North Carolina is coming off an 82-75 loss to Florida State last Saturday.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will broadcast on ACC Network.

Fans can follow along via the Demon Deacons Twitter and Instagram accounts (@WakeMBB).

Standout Stat
After knocking down a trio of 3-pointers against Virginia Tech, sophomore forward Ismael Massoud is shooting 41.7 percent from deep and averaging two 3-pointers per game in conference play.

The East Harlem, N.Y. native is on track to be the first Wake Forest player to average two made threes and 40 percent three-point shooting in conference play since the 2017-18 season. Mitchell Wilbekin was the last Deac to accomplish the feat, averaging 2.0 per game on 42.4 percent three-point shooting.

Last Time
Wake Forest vs. No. 20 Virginia Tech (January 17, 2021)
Result: L, 64-60

Wake Forest held the Hokies to their lowest scoring output so far in ACC play but could not steal the win at home.
- The Deacs dominated the hustle stats, turning Virginia Tech over 15 times in addition to grabbing 16 offensive rebounds.

Series History
Versus North Carolina
Series: North Carolina leads 162-67
Last: March 3, 2020
Result: L – 93-83

Wake Forest's last victory over North Carolina in the Dean Smith Center came on January 20, 2010, when the Deacs upset the 24th ranked Tar Heels 82-69 behind 40 points from Ish Smith and CJ Harris.
- Wednesday's matchup will mark the 11-year anniversary of that victory, which was also the last time Wake Forest defeated a ranked opponent on the road.

Up Next
Wake Forest will finish the road trip in Raleigh with a matchup against North Carolina State next Wednesday.
Tip-off against the Wolfpack is set for 8 p.m. in PNC Arena and will broadcast on ACC Network.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ismael Massoud

Wake Forest Athletics