Perimeter Puzzle: Can Wake Forest's New Guards Spark a March Run?

When evaluating Wake Forest's potential to disrupt the bracket this season, the focus isn't just on the score—it's on whether the perimeter depth can support a legitimate run. As Sports Illustrated first reported, the Demon Deacons are entering the season with a heavily rebuilt backcourt. Sophomore Isaac Carr is the sole returning guard who logged meaningful minutes last year, leaving the team to rely on a mix of transfers and former walk-on Vincent Ricchiuti.

From a spacing perspective, the addition of Justin Ray from Monmouth is a critical piece; Sports Illustrated notes Ray brings an "extremely impressive" three-point shot to the roster. The chemistry between Ray, Carr, and other new additions will determine if the Deacs can stretch the floor. The backcourt also features Jamari McDowell, who arrives with Power Five experience from the Kansas Jayhawks, and Kevair Kennedy, a Merrimack transfer who is the likely starting point guard.

While the perimeter is being reshaped, Head Coach Steve Forbes is also addressing the interior. Sports Illustrated reports that Wake Forest prioritized size this offseason, adding six players 6'9" or taller, including 6'11" freshman Gavin Placide. This length is intended to fix the defensive rebounding struggles that plagued the team last year—a point Forbes emphasized during his Wake Media Day press conference.

Whether these disparate pieces—the shooting of Ray, the experience of McDowell, and the size of Placide—can coalesce into a cohesive unit remains the primary question. The Deacs will get their first look at this new-look roster in an exhibition against Georgetown this Sunday.