Wake Forest vs NC State Odds, Pick
| Wake Forest Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -105 | 150.5 -105o / -115u | +105 |
| NC State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -115 | 150.5 -105o / -115u | -125 |
With ACC conference play in full swing, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons are becoming a legitimate threat. North Carolina and Duke are the clear front-runners to win the regular-season title, but don't count out Steve Forbes' squad.
After bouncing back from its loss last week to Florida State, Wake Forest is headed on the road to take on the NC State Wolfpack. The Wolfpack have won five of their last six contests and get another critical test at home Tuesday.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The number that jumps off the page right away is the Demon Deacons' ability to shoot from outside. They rank 29th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, notably shooting 39% from deep.
If the Demon Deacons continue to shoot lights out from beyond the arc, I have a hard time believing the Wolfpack can keep up offensively, especially considering NC State is 219th in defensive 3PT%.
What is also impressive about the Demon Deacons is their ability to cash in at the charity stripe. They are third in the nation in free-throwing percentage. If it can get to the line more frequently, Wake Forest will not have many empty offensive trips. The backcourt of Cameron Hildreth, Hunter Sallis and Kevin Miller creates an abundance of offense that gives them an edge night after night.
Defensively, the Demon Deacons must force more turnovers and become more aggressive on the perimeter. The presence of big man Efton Reid has helped their interior defense, but the key to the game will be how they contain the Wolfpack from deep.
If their typical offense shows up, I have no doubts the Demon Deacons can steal a win on the road.
Ready to get in on the college basketball betting action in North Carolina? You’ll soon be able to join in on NC sports betting, as the state is expected to come online in 2024.
NC State Wolfpack
Although they have been impressive in their last six games, the Wolfpack's loss to North Carolina last week spoke volumes about the makeup of this team. Despite their 12-4 record, I saw enough from that game to write them off as a threat in the ACC.
For this game, NC State can not afford to continue its struggles from deep. I spoke about the Demon Deacons' weak perimeter defense above, so if the Wolfpack want to win this game, they have to capitalize from deep. They are not the tallest team, which will not help against a stingy Demon Deacons interior defense. Their scoring will need to come from the mid-range or the outside.
Senior point guard DJ Horne's ability to carry the offense is massive for this game. He is shooting 43% from deep, which keeps them afloat in many games. The Wolfpack are also fourth in the country in fewest turnovers per game.
The Wolfpack would have to shoot lights out to win this game, but I do not see that happening.
Wake Forest vs. NC State
Betting Pick & Prediction
I faded Wale Forest last week at Florida State, but it will build off its impressive win at Virginia on Tuesday.
I do not believe in the Wolfpack, and think they are overvalued in the market. There are not many people higher on the Demon Deacons than I am, but their offensive numbers speak for themselves. Forbes' Demon Deacons should be able to score at will, and they should do some damage at the charity stripe. The Wolfpack will simply have to pray Wake Forest goes cold from beyond the arc.
Wake Forest will get the the job done on the road, and I'll happily take advantage of the NC State inflation.
