The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are packing their bags for a return trip to the Bahamas. According to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, the Deacs will be part of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament this season—a destination that’s quickly becoming a familiar fall getaway for the program.

Here’s the breakdown: Wake Forest, Memphis, and Penn State will form a second four-team bracket in the event, with a fourth squad still to be announced. Early speculation points to Xavier filling that final spot. While the location may echo last year’s trip, the competition level looks a bit different this time around. Gone are the powerhouse names like Texas Tech and Purdue that made headlines in 2025. Instead, this bracket features teams coming off challenging seasons.

Let’s look at the numbers. Penn State stumbled to a 12-20 record last season, ranking 139th in KenPom. Memphis wasn’t far behind at 13-19 and 133rd. Xavier, if they join, finished 15-18 and 94th. In the transfer portal era, though, last year’s record is just a starting point—roster turnover can flip a team’s fortunes overnight.

Speaking of the portal, Xavier has made the biggest splash this offseason, landing the 17th-ranked transfer class according to 247Sports. Memphis (49th), Penn State (55th), and Wake Forest (65th) have had quieter hauls, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the mix. For the Deacs, this tournament offers a chance to test themselves against evenly matched talent. Don’t expect any Quadrant 1 wins here, but it’s a winnable bracket where Wake Forest can build momentum and showcase their new-look roster.