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Wake Forest Demon Deacons Seek Upset Against No. 25 UNC Tar Heels
Young Demon Deacons Look to Knock Off Rival Tar Heels at Home
Feb. 7, 2026 at 11:55am
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The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (13-11, 3-9 ACC) will host the No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels (19-5, 8-3 ACC) on Sunday afternoon in a key ACC matchup. The Demon Deacons, led by fourth-year head coach Megan Gebbia, are looking to pull off an upset against their in-state rival and improve their chances of qualifying for the ACC Tournament. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels are jockeying for position in the crowded ACC standings as they aim to secure a double-bye and potential NCAA Tournament hosting opportunity.
Why it matters
This game represents an important opportunity for the rebuilding Wake Forest program to notch a signature win against a ranked opponent, while also serving as a crucial contest for the Tar Heels as they navigate a tight race in the ACC. A loss for UNC could significantly damage their hopes of securing a top-4 seed and double-bye in the conference tournament.
The details
The Demon Deacons have struggled in ACC play, going just 3-9 so far this season, but have shown flashes of potential. They are led by a young core that includes freshman guards Milan Brown and Caitlyn Jones, as well as sophomore Aurora Sørbe and junior forward Mary Carter. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels boast a more experienced roster and are led by standout players like Alyssa Ustby and Deja Kelly. UNC will look to take advantage of Wake Forest's defensive woes, as the Demon Deacons rank near the bottom of the ACC in several key defensive categories.
- The game will take place on Sunday, February 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST.
- Wake Forest opened ACC play in December with a win over Georgia Tech and a close loss to Miami.
- UNC and Wake Forest last met in Winston-Salem last season, with the Tar Heels winning 58-50.
The players
Megan Gebbia
The fourth-year head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons women's basketball team.
Alyssa Ustby
A standout player for the North Carolina Tar Heels who recorded a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in the team's last meeting with Wake Forest.
Deja Kelly
A key contributor for the North Carolina Tar Heels who scored 15 points in the team's previous matchup with Wake Forest.
Milan Brown
A freshman guard for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons who leads the team in rebounds despite standing just 5'8" tall.
Aurora Sørbe
A sophomore guard for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons who is shooting 41.2% from three-point range this season.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee
What’s next
The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a more favorable seed and potential double-bye in the upcoming ACC Tournament.
The takeaway
This matchup between in-state rivals represents an important opportunity for the young Wake Forest squad to pull off a signature upset, while the Tar Heels look to maintain their position in the crowded ACC standings and strengthen their case for an NCAA Tournament hosting bid.
