Wake Forest (21-11, 13-7 ACC)

The Demon Deacons are chasing their first NCAA Tournament bid under sixth-year coach Steve Forbes after being a bubble team multiple years. Four starters are gone from a team that faded with five losses in its last eight. Forbes is hoping to repeat past transfer-portal success after twice adding guards who became The Associated Press league player of the year (Alondes Williams in 2022, Tyree Appleby in 2023).

Wake Forest is picked to finish 11th in the 18-team ACC.

Players to watch

Nate Calmese (senior, PG, 6-2, 181, 15.2 ppg). He's on his fourth school in as many seasons and thrived last year at Washington State.

Tre'Von Spillers (graduate, F, 6-7, 215, 9.9 ppg). The returnee started all 32 games, averaging a team-best 7.6 rebounds.

Mekhi Mason (senior,

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