The college basketball season heats up tonight as the No. 6 Michigan Wolverines take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a nationally televised matchup at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Tipping off at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1, this game carries extra weight after Wake Forest's narrow 72-70 upset victory over Michigan last November. The Wolverines, now healthier and boasting a revamped roster under coach Dusty May, are hungry for payback against a scrappy Deacons squad that's started 2025-26 with two solid wins.
Michigan enters 1-0 after a dominant opener against Oakland, where they shattered scoring records and showed off their depth. Led by key returners and fresh talent like Morez Johnson Jr., the Wolverines rank high in early Kenpom metrics, but questions linger about their injury status—center Yaxel Lendeborg's availability could shift the frontcourt battle. On the flip side, Wake Forest sits at 2-0, having dispatched American 88-74 and another foe 81-65. The Deacons' defense has been stingy, holding opponents to just 24.6% from three-point range, though their schedule hasn't been punishing yet. At 66th in Kenpom, they're underdogs by 15 points, with the over/under at 168.5.
This neutral-site clash in the Wolverine-Deacon Challenge tests both teams' early momentum. Michigan's improved health might overwhelm Wake's perimeter game, but the Deacons' poise in close contests can't be overlooked. As the ball goes up, it raises the question: can Michigan finally turn the tables, or will Wake Forest pull off another surprise?
