JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — The ETSU men’s basketball team is back on the road—and headed into one of college basketball’s most iconic arenas. The Buccaneers continue their December road swing tomorrow night in Chapel Hill, where they’ll take on No. 12 North Carolina inside the Dean Smith Center.
Before making their way east, the Bucs made a pit stop in Winston-Salem on Monday, practicing at Wake Forest. The team shared photos of the workout on X, a session made possible thanks to a familiar face. Former ETSU head coach—and current Wake Forest head coach—Steve Forbes opened his practice facility to his former assistant Brooks Savage and the Bucs.
For ETSU, the focus now shifts to a major challenge against a nationally ranked Tar Heel squad. The team knows the Dean Dome demands toughness, composure, and resilience. But they also believe their evolving identity makes them a difficult opponent to scout.
A Hard Team to Prepare For
Head coach Brooks Savage says ETSU’s depth and balance give them an advantage that wasn’t always present last season.
“You know, last year—especially toward the end after (John) Buggs and Jaden Seymour were hurt—so much fell on Qumari (Peterson). You become easy to scout, as special of a talent as he is,” Savage said. “These teams I feel like are always tougher to play against because you can try to take away one guy, and then Makai hits you for 29, and Jordan McComb can get 17.”
Savage added that ETSU’s frontcourt versatility also creates problems for opponents.
“You’ve got to guard those two frontcourt players, and Jalen made seven threes it’s a good way to be,” he said.
With multiple scoring threats capable of stepping up on any given night, the Bucs believe their balanced approach could help them hang tough in one of college basketball’s most electric venues.
ETSU and North Carolina tip off Tuesday night as the Bucs look to continue building momentum—and potentially make noise on a national stage.