The Navy Midshipmen will take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in an NIT Tournament game. This postseason game is set for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. The game will be held at Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC, and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Navy finished the regular season with a strong record of 26-7. In the Patriot League, they had an 18-2 record. Recently, they lost to the Boston Terriers by 1 point but won against Bucknell Bison and Colgate Raiders.
Wake Forest ended their regular season with a 17-16 record. In the Atlantic Coast Conference, they had an 8-12 record. They recently lost to Clemson Tigers but secured wins against Virginia Tech Hokies and California Golden Bears.
Wake Forest Preview
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 17-16. Their conference record was 8-12. This shows they had some challenges in conference games.
In recent games, the Demon Deacons had mixed results. They lost to the Clemson Tigers by 9 points, with a score of 62-71. Before that, they won against the Virginia Tech Hokies by 6 points, scoring 95-89. They also had a win against the California Golden Bears, 80-73.
The team has some standout players. Juke Harris is a key player, scoring 31 points in the game against California. Tre’Von Spillers also made an impact with 15 points and 12 rebounds in the game against Clemson. Myles Colvin contributed 18 points in the game against Virginia Tech.
Looking at the season stats, the team averages 78.8 points per game. They have a field goal percentage of 45.0%. Their free throw percentage is strong at 77.4%. However, they face challenges with rebounds, averaging 33.2 per game, which is low compared to other teams.
Navy Preview
The Navy Midshipmen are part of the Patriot League. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 26 wins and 7 losses. Within their conference, they achieved 18 wins and 2 losses. This strong performance highlights their competitive edge in the league.
In recent games, the Midshipmen had mixed results. They lost to the Boston Terriers by 1 point, with a final score of 73-72. Aidan Kehoe stood out with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Before that, they won against the Bucknell Bison with a score of 74-69. Cam Cole contributed 16 points in that game.
The Midshipmen’s offensive stats show they score 74.7 points per game. Their field goal percentage is 47.6, ranking them 49th. They make 6.6 three-pointers per game, with a 3-point percentage of 36.0. On defense, they average 7.7 steals and 3.2 blocks per game.
Key players include Austin Benigni and Aidan Kehoe. Benigni averages 18 points per game with a 42.0% field goal percentage. Kehoe averages 15.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, with a high field goal percentage of 73.5. These players are crucial to the team’s success this season.
Statistical Breakdown for Wake Forest vs Navy
The game between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Navy Midshipmen could be shaped by several key stats. Wake Forest scores more points per game, averaging 78.8, compared to Navy’s 74.7. However, Navy has a higher field goal percentage at 47.6%, which could help them in scoring efficiently. Wake Forest’s strong free throw percentage of 77.4% might give them an edge in close situations. Navy’s rebounding average of 36.6 per game is higher than Wake Forest’s 33.2, which could impact second-chance opportunities.
- Wake Forest Points Per Game: 78.8
- Navy Points Per Game: 74.7
- Wake Forest Field Goal Percentage: 45.0%
- Navy Field Goal Percentage: 47.6%
- Wake Forest Free Throw Percentage: 77.4%
- Navy Free Throw Percentage: 73.5%
- Wake Forest Rebounds Per Game: 33.2
- Navy Rebounds Per Game: 36.6
Betting Insights
The Navy Midshipmen and Wake Forest Demon Deacons have shown different betting trends from last season. Navy has been solid against the spread, especially as an underdog. Wake Forest, however, struggled to cover the spread, even when favored. These trends can help guide betting decisions for their upcoming game. Here are the top 5 betting trends to consider:
- Navy is 13-8 ATS as an underdog (61.9%).
- Navy is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games (80.0%).
- Navy is 2-1 O/U in their last 3 games (66.7%).
- Wake Forest is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games (20.0%).
- Wake Forest is 3-2 O/U in their last 5 games (60.0%).
Free Betting Prediction for Wake Forest vs Navy
Wake Forest has shown they can score well, averaging 78.8 points per game. Their strong free throw percentage might help in tight moments. However, their rebounding is a concern, which could limit second-chance points. Navy, on the other hand, has a better field goal percentage and rebounding stats. This might give them an edge in controlling the game flow.
Navy’s recent form against the spread suggests they can perform well as underdogs. Their ability to cover the spread in recent games shows they can keep games close. Wake Forest has struggled against the spread, which might be a factor in this game. Navy’s key players, like Aidan Kehoe, could play a big role in keeping the game competitive.
Considering the stats and betting trends, Navy might cover the spread. Wake Forest is favored, but Navy’s ability to perform as underdogs makes them a strong pick against the spread. The game could be closer than the odds suggest, with Navy having a chance to make it competitive.
- Our Free Prediction: Navy +11.5
