Virginia Tech Dominates Wake Forest in Convincing Win
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · Cassell Coliseum
Virginia Tech Hokies 82, Wake Forest Demon Deacons 63, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Virginia Tech Hokies?
Virginia Tech Hokies beat Wake Forest Demon Deacons 82-63 at Cassell Coliseum on February 21, 2026.
Who was favored in Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Virginia Tech Hokies?
Virginia Tech Hokies were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -185 (about 65% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive victory, the Virginia Tech Hokies defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 82-63 at Cassell Coliseum. This win not only marked a significant turnaround for Virginia Tech but also extended their dominance over Wake Forest, having lost their previous two meetings. The Hokies' performance was particularly impressive given their recent struggles, as they entered the game with a record of 4-6 in their last ten outings and on a two-game losing streak. However, they managed to turn the tide in this matchup, showcasing a strong offensive display.
Virginia Tech's recent form had been concerning, with an average of 72.5 points scored per game but allowing 75.6 points. Their last five games had seen them average 68.4 points while conceding 75.8, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. In contrast, Wake Forest had been in slightly better form, winning three of their last five games and averaging 78.8 points scored against 78.2 allowed. The Demon Deacons had a record of 4-6 in their last ten games as well, but they came into this match with momentum from a recent victory over Clemson.
The Hokies' home record stood at 18-10, while Wake Forest's away record was 14-13. Virginia Tech had struggled at home recently, with a record of 2-2 in their last four home games, while Wake Forest had a mixed away record of 2-3. This matchup was critical for both teams, as they aimed to improve their standings in the league.
In their previous meetings this season and last, Virginia Tech had faced Wake Forest twice, both times coming up short. The first encounter in January 2026 saw the Hokies lose 78-81, and the previous season's matchup resulted in a 63-72 defeat for Virginia Tech. This history added an extra layer of significance to the game, as the Hokies sought to avenge those losses.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player availability, but such factors typically play a crucial role in team performance. The absence of key players can impact the dynamics of a game, and both teams would have been keen to field their strongest lineups.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Virginia Tech favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 150.5. The odds reflected the expectation of a competitive game, but the Hokies' strong performance ultimately defied those expectations. The home moneyline was listed at -185, while Wake Forest's was at +154, indicating that Virginia Tech was seen as the more likely winner.
Conditions at Cassell Coliseum were conducive to a high-energy game, and the Hokies took full advantage of their home court. The crowd support likely played a role in boosting the team's morale, especially after recent struggles. The game featured several notable scoring plays, including a series of free throws and impressive dunks that showcased Virginia Tech's offensive prowess.
As the game progressed, Virginia Tech established a commanding lead, with standout performances from players like Tobi Lawal, who contributed significantly with a dunk and an alley-oop. The Hokies' ability to maintain pressure on Wake Forest and capitalize on scoring opportunities was evident throughout the game.
Overall, this matchup served as a critical juncture for Virginia Tech, allowing them to regain confidence and momentum as they look ahead in the season. The victory not only improved their standing but also provided a much-needed boost after a challenging stretch of games. For Wake Forest, the loss highlighted areas needing improvement as they strive to find consistency in their performance.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | VT -3.5 | 150.5 o -108 / u -112 | Wake Forest Demon Deacons +154 · Virginia Tech Hokies -185 |
Leaders
- PointsTobi Lawal17Virginia Tech Hokies
- AssistsNeoklis Avdalas8Virginia Tech Hokies
- ReboundsTobi Lawal9Virginia Tech Hokies
- PointsJuke Harris16Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- AssistsSebastian Akins4Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- ReboundsTre'Von Spillers7Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Recent form
Virginia Tech Hokies
Last 10: 4-6Streak L272.5 scored · 75.6 allowed per game2-2 at home
- L66-67at Miami HurricanesFeb 18
- L69-92vs Florida State SeminolesFeb 14
- W76-66at Clemson TigersFeb 12
- L73-82at NC State WolfpackFeb 7
- L58-72vs Duke Blue DevilsJan 31
- W71-65vs Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsJan 28
- L71-85at Louisville CardinalsJan 24
- W76-74at Syracuse OrangeJan 22
- W89-76vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishJan 17
- L76-77at SMU MustangsJan 15
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Last 10: 4-6Streak W377.1 scored · 80.7 allowed per game2-3 away
- W85-77vs Clemson TigersFeb 19
- W68-63vs Stanford CardinalFeb 14
- W83-67at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsFeb 12
- L80-88vs Louisville CardinalsFeb 7
- L78-96vs NC State WolfpackJan 31
- L76-80at Pittsburgh PanthersJan 27
- L69-90at Duke Blue DevilsJan 24
- L79-91vs SMU MustangsJan 21
- W69-68at Florida State SeminolesJan 17
- L84-87at North Carolina Tar HeelsJan 10
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Wake Forest Demon Deacons | Virginia Tech Hokies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-61 | 31-61 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 6-30 | 11-28 |
| Three-point % | 20 | 39 |
| Free throws | 11-16 | 9-16 |
| Free throw % | 69 | 56 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 17 | 24 |
| Assists | 10 | 20 |
| Steals | 2 | 3 |
| Blocks | 2 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 5 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 8 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 0 | 6 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 36 |
| Fouls | 19 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 21 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 13 | 85 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half33-42Marqus Marion makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half33-43Antonio Dorn makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half33-45Neoklis Avdalas makes 1-foot dunk (Ben Hammond assists)
- 2nd Half35-45Juke Harris makes driving layup
- 2nd Half35-47Tobi Lawal makes layup (Neoklis Avdalas assists)
- 2nd Half37-47Cooper Schwieger makes 6-foot hook shot (Juke Harris assists)
- 2nd Half37-50Ben Hammond makes 24-foot three point jumper (Neoklis Avdalas assists)
- 2nd Half40-50Juke Harris makes 26-foot three point jumper (Myles Colvin assists)
- 2nd Half42-50Tre'Von Spillers makes layup (Juke Harris assists)
- 2nd Half42-52Ben Hammond makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half44-52Omaha Biliew makes 7-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half45-52Omaha Biliew makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half45-55Neoklis Avdalas makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jaden Schutt assists)
- 2nd Half45-58Amani Hansberry makes 24-foot three point jumper (Neoklis Avdalas assists)
- 2nd Half45-61Jailen Bedford makes 24-foot three point jumper (Amani Hansberry assists)
- 2nd Half45-63Christian Gurdak makes layup
- 2nd Half47-63Mekhi Mason makes layup (Sebastian Akins assists)
- 2nd Half47-65Christian Gurdak makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half50-65Mekhi Mason makes 23-foot three point jumper (Juke Harris assists)
- 2nd Half50-67Christian Gurdak makes 4-foot alley oop dunk (Jailen Bedford assists)
- 2nd Half52-67Juke Harris makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-69Christian Gurdak makes 0-foot dunk
- 2nd Half52-71Amani Hansberry makes 1-foot dunk (Neoklis Avdalas assists)
- 2nd Half53-71Myles Colvin makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half54-71Myles Colvin makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half54-72Jailen Bedford makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-73Jailen Bedford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-73Tre'Von Spillers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-75Christian Gurdak makes layup
- 2nd Half56-75Myles Colvin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-75Myles Colvin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-76Tobi Lawal makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-76Isaac Carr makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-76Isaac Carr makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-77Ben Hammond makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-78Ben Hammond makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-80Tobi Lawal makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half61-80Omaha Biliew makes layup
- 2nd Half61-82Tobi Lawal makes 1-foot alley oop dunk (Neoklis Avdalas assists)
- 2nd Half63-82Isaac Carr makes 3-foot floating jump shot
Win probability
Above the line favours Virginia Tech Hokies, below favours Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Venue
- Cassell ColiseumBlacksburg, VA
- Attendance8925
- OfficialsMark Schnur, Bert Smith, Anthony Eades
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