Louisville Looks to Extend Winning Streak Against Struggling Wake Forest

Cardinals seek third straight victory as Demon Deacons fight to save season

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:39pm

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The Louisville Cardinals will travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in an ACC men's basketball matchup. Louisville is looking to extend its winning streak to three games, while Wake Forest is desperate to turn around its disappointing 2-7 conference record and save its season under head coach Steve Forbes.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for both teams as they jockey for position in the ACC standings. Louisville is seeking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season, while Wake Forest is fighting to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive after a rough start to conference play.

The details

Louisville enters the game as a 7.5-point favorite and holds a 10-5 all-time series lead over Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons have struggled mightily in ACC play, losing four straight games, including lopsided defeats to NC State, Duke, and SMU. However, Wake has shown it can play with top teams, nearly defeating Michigan and Texas Tech earlier in the season. The Deacs will look to sophomore guard Juke Harris, who leads the ACC in scoring at 20.9 points per game, to spark their offense against the Cardinals.

  • The game will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
  • Louisville is seeking its first three-game winning streak since November.
  • Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey has a 1-0 record against Wake Forest.
  • Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes is 3-3 against Louisville.
  • Wake Forest's Steve Forbes won his 100th game as head coach on December 14, 2025.

The players

Juke Harris

A 6'7" sophomore guard for Wake Forest who leads the ACC in scoring at 20.9 points per game.

Myles Colvin

A 6'5" junior guard for Wake Forest who is the team's second-leading scorer at 12.5 points per game.

Tre'Von Spillers

A senior forward for Wake Forest who is the team's glue guy, averaging 11.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Pat Kelsey

The head coach of the Louisville Cardinals, who previously served as an assistant coach at Wake Forest under Skip Prosser.

Steve Forbes

The head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who is firmly on the hot seat as his team struggles in ACC play.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to turn this season around if we want to make the NCAA Tournament. The game against Louisville is a crucial opportunity for us.”

— Steve Forbes, Head Coach, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

“Our team is playing with a lot of confidence right now, and we're looking forward to the challenge of going on the road against a tough ACC opponent like Wake Forest.”

— Pat Kelsey, Head Coach, Louisville Cardinals

What’s next

If Wake Forest is able to pull off the upset, it would be a major boost to their NCAA Tournament hopes and potentially save head coach Steve Forbes' job. A Louisville win would further solidify the Cardinals' position in the ACC standings and keep them on track for a strong finish to the regular season.

The takeaway

This game represents a critical juncture in the seasons of both Louisville and Wake Forest. The Cardinals are seeking to continue their strong play, while the Demon Deacons are fighting to salvage their campaign and keep their postseason aspirations alive. The outcome could have significant implications for the ACC landscape and the futures of the respective head coaches.