In a nail-biting finish, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons fell to the Illinois State Redbirds 78-75 in the NIT quarterfinals on March 22, 2026. The game was a roller coaster from start to finish, with both teams trading blows until the final buzzer.
Brutal Blow: Wake Forest’s NIT Run Ends
With the clock ticking down, the Demon Deacons were down by just one point, hoping for a miracle to keep their season alive. But it was not to be. Juke Harris' prolific scoring kept Wake Forest in the game, but the Redbirds’ relentless defense and clutch shooting ultimately sealed the victory.
The Demon Deacons showcased their resilience, fighting back from a double-digit deficit to take the lead in the final minutes. However, Illinois State’s Landon Wolf delivered a career-best performance, silencing the Demon Deacons' comeback efforts and securing the win for the Redbirds .
Game Changer: Landon Wolf's Career Game
In an electrifying display, Landon Wolf single-handedly kept Illinois State in the game, scoring crucial points and making clutch plays. The Redbirds' relentless defensive strategy and Wolf's scoring prowess were too much for the Demon Deacons to handle.
Wolf was a force to be reckoned with, scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, outplaying his Wake Forest counterpart, Juke Harris. Harris, who had been a bright spot for the Demon Deacons all season, managed 25 points but couldn't pull off the win in the face of the Redbirds’ powerful defense.
The game had it all - drama, resilience, and a clutch performance that will be remembered for years to come.
What Was Wake Forest Thinking?
Wake Forest’s season was a study in contradictions. The Demon Deacons had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the year, but their inconsistent performance ultimately cost them. The question on everyone's mind is, what went wrong?
Wake Forest had the talent, but the execution faltered at crucial moments. A string of missed free throws and a failure to convert key opportunities in the final minutes proved to be the difference-maker.
Think again about the Demon Deacons’ season. Despite their talent, the team was plagued by inconsistencies that ultimately led to their downfall. For a team that had shown such promise, it was a disappointing end to a season that had so much potential.
In a season that was poised to be one of Wake Forest's best, the Demon Deacons’ loss to the Redbirds will be a bitter pill to swallow. Their chances of securing a top spot in the NIT have vanished, leaving the team to reflect on what could have been. Gone.
Wake Forest basketball.
