Navy (26-7) takes on Wake Forest (17-16) in the first round of the NIT on March 18 at 7 p.m. in Winston-Salem, NC. This marks Navy's first postseason game since 1998 and only their second appearance in the NIT. Navy is the first Patriot League team to participate in the NIT in a decade, and the matchup against Wake Forest is the first since 2002. Key player Austin Benigni was named to the NABC's All-East District second team, a first for Navy since 2021.

By the Numbers
  • Navy has achieved 26 wins this season, tying for the second-most in program history.
  • This game represents Navy's first postseason appearance in 25 years.
State of Play
  • Navy earned an outright Patriot League title this season, their first since 1997.
  • Wake Forest enters the NIT following a strong home record of 12-6.
What's Next

The winner of this matchup will advance to face the winner of Kent State versus Illinois State in the second round of the NIT on March 21 or 22.

Bottom Line

Navy's resilience in reaching the NIT signifies a pivotal moment for the program, with the potential to build momentum for future seasons while providing invaluable postseason experience for the players.