Breaking: WVU and Wake Forest Close to Finalizing Two-Year Neutral-Site Basketball Series — First Clash Expected in Charleston This Season

In a development generating significant buzz among college basketball fans, West Virginia University (WVU) and Wake Forest University are on the brink of formalizing a two-year, neutral-site men’s basketball series, according to multiple sources close to the discussions. The first game is strongly expected to tip off later this year in Charleston, West Virginia, a decision that adds an electric layer to an already compelling inter-conference matchup.

This news has Mountaineer fans excited, as the potential series represents not just a high-quality opponent, but also the promise of competitive basketball in a neutral but passionate setting. The Charleston Civic Center (now the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center) is being eyed as the host venue for the opening leg of the series. With a capacity of over 13,000 and a rich history of hosting basketball showdowns, Charleston could become the perfect battleground for this ACC–Big 12 clash.

Sources familiar with the agreement note that both programs are seeking stronger non-conference matchups to boost their NCAA Tournament résumés. For WVU, under the leadership of first-year head coach Darian DeVries, it represents a calculated risk and a big opportunity.

WVU and Wake Forest aren’t strangers to one another. Their basketball programs last squared off in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, when the Mountaineers triumphed in a hard-fought first-round game. That win marked the beginning of WVU’s storied run to the Final Four under then-coach Bob Huggins. Now, with both programs in transitional phases — Wake Forest under coach Steve Forbes and WVU with DeVries — the series could mark the beginning of a renewed basketball rivalry with deep implications.

Beyond the basketball strategy, this scheduling move seems designed to create fan engagement, particularly for WVU. The Charleston game would offer Mountaineer Nation a chance to see the team in a setting away from Morgantown, but still firmly in West Virginia territory. Fans in the southern part of the state who rarely get to attend games in-person are expected to turn out in force.

For Wake Forest, it’s another opportunity to bolster their standing in a competitive ACC. The Demon Deacons have been quietly building under Coach Forbes, and a marquee neutral-site game against a Big 12 opponent offers valuable exposure — especially if it leads to a victory in front of a largely partisan crowd.

WVU, meanwhile, is undergoing a full cultural and tactical reset. Following a turbulent 2023–24 season and the departure of Bob Huggins, Coach DeVries has reshaped the roster, including standout freshman Amir Jenkins and transfer additions with major potential. Taking on a team like Wake Forest early in the season will offer fans and analysts a clearer view of where WVU stands.

While neither school has officially announced the series, both athletic departments are reportedly finalizing travel logistics, venue agreements, and broadcast arrangements. The series is expected to be televised on ESPN or ESPN2, and officials are optimistic a formal announcement could come before the end of July.

The timing is critical, as both schools are finalizing their non-conference schedules. WVU’s schedule already includes matchups with quality mid-major programs and participation in an early-season tournament, so this addition would likely be the centerpiece.

For Wake Forest, which has historically traveled well for neutral-court games, this series will also give their fans something tangible to rally around as they aim for a breakthrough season under Forbes.

In an age when power-conference teams sometimes shy away from competitive non-conference matchups, this two-year agreement feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s ambitious, fan-friendly, and strategically smart. Most of all, it’s a sign that both programs are serious about pushing forward.