The nation’s top scoring defense will be on the road at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, when the Virginia Cavaliers (12-6, 4-4 ACC) take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (9-9, 2-6 ACC). Action gets underway at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 26, 2020, and can be seen on ACC Network.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Odds
Both teams lost a tough one in their last game. The Demon Deacons fell to the Clemson Tigers, 71-68, while the Cavaliers were defeated by the North Carolina State Wolfpack, 53-51.
Virginia held North Carolina State to an offensive rebounding percentage of 19.4 (below their season average of 29.7) while Wake Forest did a great job of converting from the charity stripe (11-15; 73.3 percent). Wake Forest’s Olivier Sarr led the way, recording 16 points and 12 rebounds. Kihei Clark, meanwhile fueled Virginia with 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Cavaliers won the sole contest between these two teams last year, 68-45. One of Virginia’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 17-21 (81.0 percent), while the Demon Deacons were just 5-7 (71.4 percent). This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
A focal point for the Wake Forest offense is getting to the free throw line. The Demon Deacons rank fifth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.312), but Virginia is among the best in the NCAA at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking fifth by yielding a FTA rate of 0.145).
Virginia at Wake Forest Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Wake Forest, ATS Winner – Wake Forest, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Virginia ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (8.6) while Wake Forest ranks 146th (12.8).
- The Cavaliers average 5.8 steals per game, which ranks 155th in the country. The Demon Deacons rank 188th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
- Virginia ranks 233rd in three pointers attempted per game (18.9) while Wake Forest ranks 249th (18.4).
- The Cavaliers rank 11th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while the Demon Deacons rank 137th (4.0).
- Virginia ranks 14th in rebounds allowed per game (30.4) while Wake Forest ranks 118th (34.6).
Bettings Trends:
- The Demon Deacons’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.2, up from 0.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 54.4 points per game (1.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 57.6 points per game (10.5 above their season average).
