Wake Forest Draws LSU for ACC-SEC Challenge
Article excerpt
Wake Forest will face LSU in the ACC-SEC Challenge, a marquee annual matchup between the two conferences. The Deacs drew the Tigers in the lottery-style selection process that pairs top programs from the Atlantic Coast Conference with Southeastern Conference opponents. The ACC-SEC Challenge typically features competitive games between conference powerhouses and serves as a nonconference showcase for both leagues. Details about the game's location and date were not specified in the announcement.
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 11: Wake Forest guard Isaac Carr (7) brings the ball up the court during the college basketball game between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on February 11th, 2026 at Hank McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, GA.(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
At first reported by CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Wake Forest will be heading to Baton Rogue for the ACC-SEC challenge to take on the LSU Tigers.
NEWS: Matchups for the 2026 ACC/SEC Challenge are set, per sources.
Ark @ UNC AU @ Clem Duke @ UF BC @ UGA Wake @ LSU Pitt @ Mizz SU @ OU OleMiss @ VT SC@NCSt FSU @ Tenn Texas @ Lville Bama @ Miami UK @ UVA GT @ MissSt Stanford @ A&M Vandy @ NDhttps://t.co/CH4tXkiAal
, Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 5, 2026
This will be the 6th game between the Deacs and the Tigers since 2015, with LSU holding a 3-2 advantage in the recent series. The Deacs won the first 2 games, including a road win over future #1 overall pick Ben Simmons in 2015 and a 110-76 blowout the next season in the Joel on the back of Dinos Mitoglou’s 8 made 3-pointers. Since then, LSU has won 3 straight neutral site games against the Deacs in the Emerald Coast Classic (2021), Holiday Hoopsgiving (2022), and the Charleston Classic (2023).
This game could end up being a David vs Goliath story, as Wake Forest’s alleged $4mil roster budget goes head to head with Will Wade’s alleged $15mil roster. Wade has taken that money and essentially bought a professional roster, LSU has 5 international transfers with pro experience and their top addition in the portal, 2025 Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis, went undrafted and signed a 2-way contract with the Utah Jazz in 2025. Luis was waived and signed a G-League contract, but never played a game due to injury. Whether any of those players will be eligible to play when the Deacs face off against LSU in Baton Rouge is still up in the air. I won’t hold my breath on the NCAA being able to uphold their rules.
Go Deacs!