Watsco Center will have the lights on this Saturday. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (11-4; 5-10-0 ATS) and Miami Hurricanes (4-11; 3-12-0 ATS) have a 5:15 p.m. EST date. These teams haven't met since last January when Wake Forest squeaked out an 86-82 OT win. This weekend's battle is the only scheduled clash between the programs in 2025. Who will come out on top?
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Ready for an ACC showdown? Read on for our Wake Forest vs. Miami prediction.
Wake Forest Keeps Winning
The Demon Deacons (3-1 ACC) have consistently stacked wins all season long. Their latest triumph was a 77-59 beatdown of NC State. On the road again, Wake Forest will try to build upon their 81-point performance the last time they traveled. That's far from the norm for a team averaging 61.8 points on the road, hence their 1-3 record. Normally, regardless of the venue, the Demon slow-paced Demon Deacons average 69.1 points per contest. Away games haven't been easy for a team hitting 43.6% of their field goals, 28.2% of their threes, and 73.8% of their free throws. Hunter Sallis (18.3 ppg) and company average 9.7 offensive rebounds and 12.3 turnovers per game. Let's see if Wake Forest can bring their best to the beach.
Defensively, the Demon Deacons tend to turn heads, even on the road. Wake Forest holds opponents to 64.9 points per game, the third-fewest in this 18-team conference. KenPom has this group rated 31st nationally. The Demon Deacons hold foes to 38.5% from the floor and 30.9% from three-point range. They allow 16.8 free throw attempts and 11.3 offensive rebounds. Wake Forest forces 14.5 turnovers per game. Can they tame the Hurricanes?
Key Injuries - Omaha Biliew (out)
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Miami's Miserable Campaign
Make it four consecutive losses for the Hurricanes (0-4 ACC), who fell 80-65 against Florida State on Wednesday. This isn't their longest losing streak of the season, as they lost seven in a row between November and December. Miami can't win games and they're missing their top scorer, Nijel Pack. The Canes are reliant on an offense averaging 77.5 points per game, but three conference rivals have held them under 70. Miami makes 47.7% of their field goals, 31.7% of their threes, and 77.2% of their free throws. They average 9.9 offensive boards and 10.8 turnovers per game. Let's see if they can end this losing streak on Saturday.
On the other end of the floor, Miami has been a mess for most of this campaign. They've coughed up 75+ points in 11 of their previous 12 matchups. Their season average is 75.5 points allowed on 47.3% shooting. The Hurricanes let opponents hit 37.7% of their three-pointers, grab 9.2 offensive rebounds, and take 16.8 trips to the free throw line. Miami forces 10.6 turnovers per game. How will they handle the Demon Deacons?
Key Injuries - Nijel Pack (out); Divine Ugochukwu (questionable)
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Best Bets for Wake Forest vs. Miami - FL
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Miami not only has a four-game losing streak but they've dropped five straight ATS. Their defense consistently allows 75+ points, and when Wake Forest scores that many points the outcome of this game won't be in doubt. The Demon Deacons will win comfortably because of it.
The Hurricanes have been a mess offensively without Pack. Wake Forest will force a ton of turnovers and stifle Miami's shooters in the paint. The Hurricanes aren't a threat to hit threes in this one. Expect 75+ from the Demon Deacons, fewer than 70 points from Miami, and Wake Forest to walk away with a third consecutive ATS victory.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The smartest play in this game is the under. Both of these teams play at a slow tempo. Each offense has clear struggles that should be exploited on Saturday.
Wake Forest averages 61.8 points on 41.5% shooting on the road. Their sloppy ball security and three-point shooting will bail out Miami's defense. As for the Hurricanes, they're facing a defense that has held five of its past seven foes under 70 points. Miami is missing their leading scorer, and three ACC rivals have already prevented them from scoring 70 points. Add the Demon Deacons to that list. Bet on rough offenses keeping Saturday's showdown under the total.
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