Wake Forest Kicks Off Season Leaning Into Physicality
Wake Forest begins its season Monday night in Winston-Salem against Maryland-Eastern Shore, and coach Steve Forbes wants the Demon Deacons to be defined by a harder-nosed style. After preseason setbacks — a 17-point loss to Georgetown and a nine-point defeat at Southern Carolina — Forbes emphasized the need for greater contact and toughness on both ends of the floor. “We have to do a better job of playing through physicality,” he said.
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Last year’s Wake Forest squad finished 18-17 and returns very little of its rotation. Sophomore guard Isaac Carr is the most notable holdover; he averaged 2.2 points and 1.2 assists last season and figures to have an expanded role. Forbes praised Carr’s defensive upside and conditioning, saying, “I think he can be a really high-level defensive player… He’s in elite condition.” Carr has also noticed chemistry developing with the new group: “I think the guys we have on our team, we get along really well. I think that’s a big part for us. We also got some good size this year, but I think the biggest thing is just how competitive we are in practice and how together we are.”
Replacing lost contributors are several transfers expected to help immediately. Kansas transfer Jamari McDowell (1.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg) looks likely to start on the wing, while Kevair Kennedy — the Merrimack product who averaged 18.4 points and 4.2 assists and earned MAAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors — will run the point. About Kennedy, Forbes said, “I think that he embodies a lot of things that I believe in — grittiness and toughness and relentlessness.”
Big-Bodied Freshmen Add Depth Up Front
Fans should also keep an eye on freshman frontcourt additions and identical twins Gavin and Gallagher Placide, listed at 6-foot-11 and 6-9 respectively. Forbes complimented Gavin’s potential while encouraging him to be more aggressive on the boards: “I think Gavin is a really good player. We just need him to go rebound more.”
Maryland-Eastern Shore’s Approach: Tough Schedule to Build Toughness
Maryland-Eastern Shore enters the matchup after a 9-23 season and faces an uncertain year in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Still, coach Cleo Hill Jr. has deliberately sought challenging opponents in nonconference play. The season opener at Wake Forest represents the first of three games scheduled against ACC programs, and the Hawks will also travel to face Rhode Island, DePaul and Saint Joseph’s as part of a 12-game nonconference road slate. “We wanted to be intentional about our schedule,” Hill said as he begins his third season. “It’s a matter of us adjusting.”
Hawks’ Roster Notes: Returning Starter and Incoming Scorers
UMES brings back just one regular contributor in sophomore forward Levi Beckwith, a Raleigh native who started 24 games and averaged 2.0 points and 2.9 rebounds. A newcomer to watch is guard Saadiq Moore, who arrives via Triton College and has collegiate experience that includes a year at Boise State; Moore could slide into the starting point guard role for the Hawks. Hill’s familiarity with Winston-Salem is notable — before taking the UMES job he spent six seasons coaching Division II Winston-Salem State.
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Trent Mallory is a passionate sports journalist who dives deep into major competitions and the stories behind every game. From American football and the NBA to tennis and the Olympics, he delivers sharp, energetic coverage. His work brings matches, athletes, and behind-the-scenes challenges to life. For Trent, sports are more than just results — they are culture, passion, and a force for change.
