The last time WVU played a men's basketball game inside the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Coliseum & Convention Center, then known as the Civic Center, Ross Hodge was in his first season at Arkansas State as the associate head coach.Â
That was in 2016. Hodge, now the Mountaineers' coach, and his team will be in the state capital on Dec. 6 as the Mountaineers will welcome the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the Mountain State, as part of the Gazelle Group's 2025 edition of Holiday Hoopfest.
WVU and Wake Forest will share a neutral-site exchange. The second game will be played in Greensboro, North Carolina, during the 2026-27 season at the First Horizon Coliseum on a date to be announced later.
The last time WVU played in the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Coliseum and Convention Center came in 2016 when the Mountaineers defeated Western Carolina, 90-37.
"We are thrilled to be able to play a really good Wake Forest team in front of our fans in southern West Virginia," WVU men's basketball coach Ross Hodge said in a statement. "It's been a long time since the men's basketball team played in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, and when we were presented with this two-game neutral site series against Wake Forest, it certainly made sense for us.
"As we continue to build our nonconference schedule, this is a quality opponent from the ACC, and I know our fans will be excited and be there to support us."
Excitement is starting to brew amongst city officials about WVU and Wake Forest playing in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
"Hosting this game not only gives us the opportunity to bring the WVU men's basketball team to ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä to play in front of the loyal fan base that lives here, but more importantly for us, it's a tourism draw bringing WVU and Wake Forest fans to town during a very vibrant period," ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Tim Brady said in a statement.
"December is a fun-filled and exciting time for us to show off ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä. Come for basketball, stay for so much more."
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin echoed Brady's excitement.
"We are thrilled to welcome WVU and Wake Forest to ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä for the 2025 edition of Holiday Hoopfest," Goodwin said in a statement. "With such a strong WVU fan base throughout our city and the region, this game is sure to energize our capital city. It's also a tremendous opportunity to showcase our incredible local restaurants, shops and attractions.
"Events like this don't just bring excitement -- they bring visitors, boost local business and shine a national spotlight on our community."
The game will be 11th all-time meeting between the Mountaineers and Demon Deacons.
The last was in 2005, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Mountaineers won in double overtime, 111-105.
In other nonconference action, WVU is scheduled to play the Pitt Panthers on Thursday, Nov. 13 in Morgantown. The Mountaineers are expected to play in the Shriners Children's ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Classic in South Carolina eight days after the Pitt game.
"With the great college basketball tradition that these two schools have, the series promises to be one of the best early season non-conference matchups for the next two years," Baker said in a statement. "Southern West Virginia is an important part of Mountaineer Nation, and we are excited and looking forward to bringing this great matchup to ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
"Even though the two games will be on a neutral court, the passionate fan bases of each school will provide the intensity and atmosphere of postseason play. By facilitating this two-game series, the Gazelle Group has provided a win for the fans of Wake Forest and West Virginia."
This game will mark the first time since 2007 that West Virginia will play a Power Four opponent in the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
The last was when the Blake Griffin-led Oklahoma Sooners came calling.
WVU has played five other major conference opponents in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä since 2000 -- North Carolina State (2006), Florida (2002), Miami (Florida) (2000), Pitt (2000) and Syracuse (2000).
The Mountaineers are 3-3 in the six games since the turn of the century.
“Some of our most passionate and loyal fans are in rural parts of the state," Baker said. "I was in Boone County for the Boone County Alumni and Friends Annual Pig Roast this past weekend. There were several hundred people there that were committed and passionate. Many were the same faces that I’ve seen at games. We have so many fans in some of the rural parts of the state and many of them make games in Morgantown, across all sports.
"When I meet someone on the concourse, I always ask where they’re from, and so many times they travel from two to three hours away. It’s important that we are always trying to find ways to engage our fans and communities.â€
West Virginia leads the all-time series over Wake Forest, 7-3, and has won three of the last five meetings.
Their first encounter was in 1948, when the Mountaineers defeated the Demon Deacons, 62-48.
Three of WVU's seven series wins have come on a neutral-site floor.
