“CANCEL YOUR WEEKEND PLANS”: Duke vs. Wake Forest Tip-Off Time OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED – January 24, 2026 Showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium Is Must-See TV

College basketball enthusiasts, stop scrolling and start planning—Saturday, January 24, 2026, has officially become sacred ground on your calendar. The NCAA and ACC have just released the final schedule details for one of the most anticipated Tobacco Road clashes of the season: the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils welcoming the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the historic Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. After weeks of frustrating “TBA” placeholders that had fans refreshing schedules daily, the tip-off time is locked in: 5:45 p.m. ET, with national broadcast rights going to The CW.

This isn’t merely a game time announcement—it’s the signal that your entire weekend rhythm just shifted. At 5:45 p.m. Eastern, the eyes of the college hoops world will turn to Cameron, where the electric atmosphere, the screaming Cameron Crazies, and decades of rivalry tradition guarantee an unforgettable broadcast. Whether you’re a die-hard Duke fan, a Wake loyalist hoping for an upset, or a neutral observer who loves high-stakes ACC action, this is the slot you cannot miss.

Let’s break down why this matchup matters so much in the middle of the 2025-26 campaign.

Duke’s Dominant Start and National Title Aspirations The Blue Devils enter the game at 17-1 overall and a perfect 6-0 in ACC play under third-year head coach Jon Scheyer. After inheriting a powerhouse program from Mike Krzyzewski, Scheyer has kept Duke near the top of both the AP and Coaches Polls all season. The team boasts one of the nation’s most balanced rosters: elite perimeter shooting, suffocating perimeter defense, and a frontcourt rotation that punishes opponents inside.

Key contributors include a dynamic point guard who controls tempo, a pair of versatile wings who stretch the floor, and bigs who dominate the glass and protect the rim.

Cameron Indoor remains one of the toughest home courts in America. Opponents routinely talk about the deafening noise, the low ceiling that makes shots feel tighter, and the student section that turns every possession into a spectacle. Duke has won their last 15 home games against ACC foes by an average margin of 18 points. That streak adds serious weight to Saturday’s contest.

Wake Forest’s Upset Potential and Revenge Motive On the other side, Wake Forest arrives at 11-8 overall and 2-4 in league play. Coach Steve Forbes has built a gritty, hard-nosed squad that plays with pace, attacks the rim, and lives by the three-point shot. The Demon Deacons have shown flashes of brilliance—knocking off ranked teams earlier this season and staying competitive in tight conference games—but inconsistency has plagued them, especially on the road.

What makes this game particularly spicy? Wake Forest desperately wants to end a long losing streak at Cameron. The Demon Deacons haven’t won in Durham since the 2016-17 season, a drought that stings every time the two schools meet. Forbes has emphasized preparation all week, telling reporters, “We respect Duke, but we don’t fear them. This is our chance to change the narrative.” If Wake can keep the game close into the final 10 minutes, the raucous Cameron crowd could actually work against Duke—nerves set in when upsets loom.

Key Matchups to Watch

Guard Play: Duke’s backcourt speed and ball pressure vs. Wake’s crafty ball-handlers who excel in pick-and-roll sets. Whoever wins the turnover battle likely wins the game.Three-Point Shooting: Both teams rank in the top half of the ACC in three-point attempts. The team that gets hot from deep could pull away—or rally from a deficit.Rebounding: Duke dominates the glass at home. Wake will need second-chance points and offensive rebounds to hang around.Bench Production: Depth has been a strength for Scheyer. Forbes relies on a tight rotation—can Wake’s reserves match Duke’s energy in the second half?

Score Prediction: Duke 78 – Wake Forest 69 The Blue Devils win, but it won’t be a blowout from start to finish. Expect Wake to hang tough through three quarters, perhaps even lead briefly in the first half with hot outside shooting. Duke pulls away late with suffocating defense and transition buckets. The final margin lands around nine points—respectable for Wake, but still a statement win for the home team in Cameron.

This 5:45 p.m. ET start time is ideal for fans coast to coast. East Coast viewers get prime-time excitement without staying up late; Midwest and West Coast audiences can settle in for dinner and hoops. The CW’s broadcast crew will bring national eyes to the rivalry, meaning every possession, every dunk, every student-section chant will be amplified.

Thousands of fans have already flooded ticket resale sites and social media with excitement. Cameron tickets are among the hardest to snag in college sports—expect standing-room-only energy even for those watching from home. Social media is buzzing: “Finally! 5:45 locked in—Cameron Crazies about to be LOUD,” one viral post read. Another fan added: “Wake’s gonna make it interesting early. Calling my shot: upset alert!”

Don’t be the person who accidentally tunes in at 7 p.m. and misses the opening tip. Set multiple reminders, tell your group chat, rearrange dinner plans—whatever it takes. This is the kind of game that creates lasting memories, whether you’re courtside, on the couch, or streaming from your phone.

Drop Your Prediction Below What’s your final score? Duke cruise? Wake steal one on the road? Who wins player of the game? Comment with your boldest takes—best prediction gets eternal bragging rights in the replies.

The countdown is officially on. Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 5:45 p.m. ET. Duke vs. Wake Forest. Cameron Indoor Stadium. One of the great rivalries in college basketball. Clear your weekend plans—you won’t want to miss a second.