Clemson Basketball Drops Third Straight in Loss to Wake Forest

Tigers fall to fourth in ACC standings after high-scoring defeat

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Clemson Tigers (20-7, 10-4 ACC) suffered their third consecutive loss, falling to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (14-12, 5-8 ACC) by a score of 85-77 on Wednesday night. The defeat drops Clemson to fourth in the ACC standings, with upcoming games against UNC and Louisville posing challenges to their postseason positioning.

Why it matters

Clemson's recent skid comes at a critical juncture, as they look to maintain their position in the upper tier of the ACC standings and secure a favorable seed for the upcoming conference tournament and NCAA Tournament. The loss to Wake Forest, in which the Tigers allowed a season-high 85 points, raises concerns about their defensive intensity and ability to close out close games.

The details

Wake Forest controlled the game from the start, building a double-digit lead within the first eight minutes and leading by as many as 20 points in the second half. Clemson was able to cut the deficit to two possessions briefly, but a quick run by the Demon Deacons put the game out of reach. Wake Forest shot an impressive 55% from the field and 45% from 3-point range, led by strong performances from Jake Wahlin (17 points), Carter Welling (13 points), and Ace Buckner (13 points).

  • The game took place on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • Clemson's next games are against UNC and Louisville in the coming weeks.

The players

Jake Wahlin

A Wake Forest player who scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range.

Carter Welling

A Wake Forest player who scored 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

Ace Buckner

A Wake Forest player who scored 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to get back on track and regain our defensive intensity if we want to be successful down the stretch.”

— Brad Brownell, Clemson Head Coach (Clemson Wire)

What’s next

Clemson will return home to face off against Florida State (13-13, 6-7 ACC) on Saturday at noon ET, as they look to end their three-game losing streak and solidify their position in the ACC standings.

The takeaway

Clemson's recent struggles highlight the challenges of maintaining consistency in a competitive ACC basketball landscape. The Tigers will need to quickly regroup and rediscover their defensive identity if they hope to secure a favorable postseason position and make a deep run in the conference and national tournaments.