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No. 13 Virginia Holds Off Wake Forest 75-70
Cavaliers clinch No. 2 seed in ACC tournament with victory over Demon Deacons
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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The No. 13 Virginia Cavaliers held off a late surge from the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to win 75-70 and clinch the No. 2 seed in the upcoming ACC tournament. While Wake Forest's Juke Harris scored 21 points, the Cavaliers' defense limited his efficiency, and Thijs De Ridder led Virginia with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Jacari White provided a spark off the bench with 14 points, and the Cavaliers' interior defense, anchored by Ugonna Onyenso and Johann Grunloh, was crucial in securing the victory.
Why it matters
This win solidifies Virginia's position as one of the top teams in the ACC, as they clinch the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. The Cavaliers' ability to contain Wake Forest's leading scorer Juke Harris and get key contributions from role players like De Ridder and White demonstrates their depth and versatility, which will be important as they look to make a deep run in the postseason.
The details
The Cavaliers jumped out to an early lead, but the Demon Deacons refused to go away, keeping the game close throughout. Virginia's defense was able to limit Harris' impact, as he shot just 7-for-18 from the field, though he did go 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. De Ridder was the offensive catalyst for the Cavaliers, scoring 16 points and getting to the line 8 times. White provided a much-needed scoring punch off the bench, while Onyenso and Grunloh combined for 6 blocks to protect the paint.
- The game was played on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
The players
Thijs De Ridder
A key contributor for the Virginia Cavaliers, scoring 16 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists in the victory.
Juke Harris
The leading scorer for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, tallying 21 points, though he shot just 7-for-18 from the field.
Ugonna Onyenso
The Cavaliers' shot-blocking specialist, who had 3 rejections to anchor Virginia's interior defense.
Johann Grunloh
A key contributor in the paint for Virginia, scoring 12 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and blocking 3 shots.
Jacari White
Provided a much-needed scoring boost off the bench for the Cavaliers, finishing with 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
What they’re saying
“We knew Wake Forest was going to be a tough opponent, and they really made us work for this win. But our guys stepped up when it mattered most, and I'm proud of the way we were able to grind out this victory.”
— Tony Bennett, Head Coach, Virginia Cavaliers (Virginia Athletics)
“Mekhi Mason really kept us in the game, but we just couldn't quite get over the hump. Virginia's defense is so tough, and they made it difficult for us to get into a rhythm offensively.”
— Steve Forbes, Head Coach, Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Wake Forest Athletics)
What’s next
The Cavaliers will await their seeding and matchup for the upcoming ACC tournament, where they will look to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.
The takeaway
Virginia's ability to grind out a tough win against a conference rival, while getting key contributions from role players, demonstrates the depth and defensive prowess that make the Cavaliers a formidable team in the postseason.
