Wake Forest Aims to Continue ACC Climb at Virginia Tech

Demon Deacons look to extend winning streak against slumping Hokies

Feb. 20, 2026 at 11:25pm

Wake Forest is making a move at an ideal time and looks to keep it going against a team it has already defeated this season. The Demon Deacons take on slumping Virginia Tech in Atlantic Coast Conference action on Saturday afternoon in Blacksburg, Va. Wake Forest has put together a three-game winning streak, rising in the standings and looking to climb past Virginia Tech, which has dropped two straight and four of its last five.

Why it matters

This ACC matchup is important for both teams' postseason aspirations. Wake Forest is looking to continue its recent surge and solidify its position in the conference standings, while Virginia Tech is in danger of falling out of NCAA Tournament projections with its recent slump.

The details

Wake Forest (14-12, 5-8 ACC) has been led by guard Juke Harris, who is averaging 21.3 points per game and has reached the 20-point mark in five consecutive games. The Demon Deacons topped visiting Clemson 85-77 on Wednesday night. Virginia Tech (17-10, 6-8) has dropped four of its last five games, including a 67-66 loss at Miami on Tuesday despite shooting 50% from the field in each half. Senior Tobi Lawal has scored in double figures in eight of 12 games since returning from an injury and did not play in the first matchup with Wake Forest on Jan. 3, which the Demon Deacons won 81-78.

  • Wake Forest and Virginia Tech both defeated Clemson in the past two weeks.
  • The Demon Deacons won the first matchup between the teams on Jan. 3.
  • Virginia Tech will hold Senior Day on Saturday.

The players

Steve Forbes

Head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Juke Harris

Guard for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, averaging 21.3 points per game.

Mike Young

Head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Tobi Lawal

Senior for the Virginia Tech Hokies, has scored in double figures in eight of 12 games since returning from an injury.

Jailen Bedford

Scored a season-high 25 points for the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first matchup against Wake Forest.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Just keep the streak alive and keep it going. They're doing it by working their tail off every day in practice.”

— Steve Forbes, Head coach, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

“We're one stop away.”

— Mike Young, Head coach, Virginia Tech Hokies

“We've kind gotten to the point of that's what he does.”

— Steve Forbes, Head coach, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

What’s next

Virginia Tech will hold Senior Day on Saturday, honoring its graduating players.

The takeaway

This ACC matchup is a crucial one for both teams as they jockey for position in the conference standings and look to bolster their NCAA Tournament resumes. Wake Forest is riding high with a three-game winning streak, while Virginia Tech is desperate to snap its recent skid and get back on track.