WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Interstat) — The Wake Forest Demon Deacons, looking to cap a season of narrow margins, host the Illinois State Redbirds in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup on Sunday at Joel Coliseum.

Wake Forest (18-16) enters having won four of its last six, but its season has been defined by tight finishes. Five of its 16 losses have come by five points or fewer, including a one-point defeat at Boston College on Feb. 25. The Demon Deacons are a 7.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 148 points set for the contest.

The Demon Deacons are led by guard Juke Harris, who is averaging 22.3 points over his last seven games. He scored 38 points in the loss at Boston College and poured in 31 in a win over California on March 7. In Wednesday’s 82-72 win over Navy, Harris posted 26 points and five assists. Forward Tre’Von Spillers adds a defensive presence, recording four blocks in that victory.

Illinois State (21-12) brings a more robust overall record and is coming off a dominant 79-58 win over Kent State on Wednesday. In that game, guard Landon Wolf scored 24 points in 26 minutes, continuing a strong stretch where he has averaged 11.4 points per game over his last five outings. He is a key perimeter threat for the Redbirds.

The Redbirds have shown resilience on the road, notably winning at Northern Iowa 71-69 on Feb. 25, but also have suffered blowout losses in hostile environments, such as an 83-56 defeat at Illinois-Chicago on Feb. 15.

This game presents a contrast in consistency. Illinois State has built its record with fewer dramatic swings, while Wake Forest has played a schedule full of high-scoring affairs and clutch moments, albeit with mixed results. The Demon Deacons will rely on Harris’s scoring burst and home-court advantage, while the Redbirds will aim to control tempo and leverage their efficient backcourt led by Wolf.

Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, at Joel Coliseum.