The Illinois State Redbirds will take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the NIT Tournament. This game is set for Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 4:30 PM ET. It will be held at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC, and will air on ESPN2.
Illinois State has been strong in their recent postseason games. They won against Presbyterian with a score of 78-70. They also secured victories over Incarnate Word and Cleveland State, with scores of 78-73 and 79-68, respectively. Their overall record for the 2026 regular season stands at 20-12, with a conference record of 12-9 in the Missouri Valley.
Wake Forest finished their 2026 regular season with a 17-16 overall record. In the Atlantic Coast Conference, they had an 8-12 record. They will look to improve their performance as they play at home in this tournament game.
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.
During the regular season, the team scored 78.8 points per game, ranking 124th. They attempted 59.6 field goals per game, with a shooting percentage of 45.0. They made 9.0 three-pointers per game, with a 34.4 shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
In the postseason, the Demon Deacons improved their scoring to 82.0 points per game. Their field goal percentage increased to 48.2, and they had an effective field goal percentage of 55.4. They also excelled at free throws, making 20.0 per game with a 95.2 percentage.
Juke Harris led the team in scoring during the regular season with 21.3 points per game. Tre’Von Spillers contributed with 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Myles Colvin added 11.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Illinois State Preview
The Illinois State Redbirds play in the Missouri Valley Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 20-12. Their conference record was 12-9. The team showed strong performance in the postseason, winning games against Presbyterian, Incarnate Word, and Cleveland State.
During the 2026 regular season, the Redbirds scored an average of 75.1 points per game. They had a field goal percentage of 46.7, ranking 90th. Their three-point shooting was solid, with 8.6 made per game and a percentage of 35.2. Free throw shooting was an area for improvement, with a percentage of 70.3, ranking 331st.
Defensively, the Redbirds averaged 5.7 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. They had 11.1 turnovers per game and committed 16.8 fouls. In the postseason, their defense improved with 7.0 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. They reduced turnovers to 4.0 per game and fouls to 14.0.
Key players include Johnny Kinziger, who averaged 11.4 points per game, and Chase Walker, who led with 13.5 points per game. Boden Skunberg contributed 10.1 points per game, while Ty’Reek Coleman added 10.3 points. The team had a balanced attack with contributions from several players.
Statistical Breakdown for Wake Forest vs Illinois State
The game between Wake Forest and Illinois State will be influenced by their postseason performances. Wake Forest has shown strong scoring, averaging 82.0 points per game, with a high free throw percentage of 95.2. Illinois State has improved defensively, reducing turnovers to 4.0 per game and increasing steals to 7.0. Both teams have key players who can impact the game, such as Juke Harris for Wake Forest and Chase Walker for Illinois State.
- Wake Forest Postseason Points Per Game: 82.0
- Wake Forest Postseason Free Throw Percentage: 95.2
- Illinois State Postseason Turnovers Per Game: 4.0
- Illinois State Postseason Steals Per Game: 7.0
- Key Player for Wake Forest: Juke Harris (26.0 PPG in postseason)
- Key Player for Illinois State: Chase Walker (19.0 PPG in postseason)
Betting Insights
As Illinois State Redbirds prepare to take on Wake Forest Demon Deacons, bettors have a lot to consider. The Redbirds have shown strength against the spread as underdogs, while the Demon Deacons have struggled in that area. Here are the top betting trends to keep in mind for this game.
- Illinois State is 81.2% ATS as underdogs.
- Illinois State has a 62.5% success rate in games going over the total.
- Wake Forest is 40.6% ATS in all games.
- Wake Forest is 33.3% ATS as underdogs.
- Illinois State is 57.6% ATS in all games.
Free Betting Prediction for Wake Forest vs Illinois State
Wake Forest has shown strong offensive play in the postseason. They average 82.0 points per game and have a high free throw percentage. Juke Harris is a key player, scoring 26.0 points per game. This offensive strength gives Wake Forest an edge in scoring.
Illinois State has improved defensively in the postseason. They have reduced turnovers and increased steals. Chase Walker leads the team with 19.0 points per game. The Redbirds’ defense could challenge Wake Forest’s scoring ability.
Considering the strengths of both teams, the game could be close. Wake Forest’s offense might give them a slight advantage. However, Illinois State’s defense and success against the spread as underdogs make them a strong contender.
- Our Free Prediction: Illinois State +7.5
