Vanderbilt Commodores at Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Picks and Prediction for Sunday, December 21, 2025
Use Code WWWC No. 13-ranked Vanderbilt (11-0) puts its undefeated record on the line Sunday as it travels to Winston-Salem to face Wake Forest (9-3) in an SEC vs ACC showdown. Vanderbilt comes into this game rated No. 10 overall by KenPom, and Vanderbilt is 54th.
This will be the first head-to-head meeting between these programs since 2015. Make sure you are checking out all the best college basketball action with our free college basketball picks.
Vanderbilt is undefeated
After coming into the season rated No. 42 in Sports Illustrated's preseason rankings, Vanderbilt has exceeded expectations so far, but time will tell if they are ready to contend in the SEC.
The Coomodores are led by Mark head coach, and they went 20-13 in his first season leading the program last season. Byington’s group has been remarkably balanced, ranking 10th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (123.6) while pairing it a defense that ranks 16th (96.2).
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Vanderbilt is led by guard Duke Miles with 17.1 ppg, followed by Tyler Tanner with 15.8 ppg. Devin McGlockton leads the way with 7.1 rebounds and 10.2 ppg. Vanderbilt also ranks 26th nationally in offensive turnover rate.
Wake Forest looking for a big win
Wake Forest enters as one of the ACC’s more overlooked but dangerous mid-tier teams under head coach Steve Forbes, now in his sixth season. The Demon Deacons are solid on both ends, ranking 74th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (114.5) and 40th in adjusted defensive efficiency. All three losses have come against quality competition: Michigan (No. 1 KenPom) and Texas Tech (No. 27), both by one point, plus Oklahoma.
The offense runs through guard Juke Harris, who averages 20.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. His strength and shot-creation make him a difficult matchup, with shooters Myles Colvin and Nate Calmese helping space the floor. Wake Forest shoots 34.5% from three and ranks well above average in assist rate, reflecting strong ball movement.
Defensively, Wake Forest thrives on pressure. The Demon Deacons force turnovers on over 21% of opponent possessions and rank in the top 25 nationally in steal percentage. That aggression can lead to fouls, but depth mitigates the risk, with reserves accounting for nearly 35% of total minutes.
Vanderbilt vs Wake Forest Predictions
Vanderbilt vs Wake Forest ATS Pick:
- Wake Forest to cover (5 units)
Wake Forest is the side to back against the spread. Vanderbilt has been elite, but this is a classic spot where the home team’s physical defense and turnover pressure can keep the game tight. The Demon Deacons excel at forcing mistakes, and Vanderbilt’s reliance on guard-driven efficiency leaves less margin for error on the road.
Wake Forest’s experience in close games against Texas Tech and the current national title favorite Michigan shows what this team is capable of at a high level. That battle-tested profile, combined with its ability to dictate stretches of play at home, gives the Demon Deacons strong value to stay within the number, even if Vanderbilt ultimately escapes with a narrow win.
Vanderbilt vs Wake Forest Total Pick:
- Over (4 units)
The over is the preferred play despite both teams owning respectable defenses. Vanderbilt ranks 40th nationally in adjusted tempo, while Wake Forest sits 72nd, signaling a game that should feature enough possessions to create scoring volume. Both teams are highly efficient offensively, especially inside the arc, and neither relies solely on slow, grind-it-out half-court sets. Wake Forest’s aggressive defense can lead to transition chances and free throws, while Vanderbilt’s shot-making limits long scoring droughts. With multiple perimeter scorers on the floor and efficient guard play driving offense on both ends, take the over.
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