NCAA Basketball Picks: Duke vs. Wake Forest

The No. 5 Duke Blue Devils have logged losing tickets in their last two road games, moving them to 6-2 ATS in their eight affairs away from home. Which of these ACC rivals should you look to back at the windows?

ACC Wednesday Betting: No. 5 Duke visits Wake Forest

Wednesday’s college basketball betting has the crew of “Coach K” visiting the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who have notched an 8-2 spread record in their last 10 games. 

Blue Devils, Sulaimon thrash Maryland

Duke bounced back from its latest road setback in the ACC with Saturday’s 84-64 triumph over the Maryland Terrapins, cashing as a 12-point home favorite. The Blue Devils connected 52.4 percent of their buckets from the floor, including 11-for-22 outside the arc.

Blue Devils guard Rasheed Sulaimon piled in a season-high 25 points, while mates Quinn Cook and Amile Jefferson logged team-highs of nine assists and nine boards, respectively. Jefferson added his squad’s three sole blocks en route to finishing with 11 points in 24 minutes of action.

The battle’s combined 148 points jumped above the ‘total’ of 139, lifting the OVER to 4-0 in the Blue Devils’ last four duels. Duke sank a subpar 7-of-17 free throws, while being outrebounded, 42-31.

Deacons, Harris downed at Georgia Tech

The same day’s card saw Wake Forest log its third loss in four games with an 82-62 defeat against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Demon Deacons guard C.J. Harris led his side’s scoring with 18 points, while adding three assists.

Wake Forest’s Devin Thomas grabbed a team-high 13 boards, while notching five of his squad’s seven blocks. The Demon Deacons were held to 35.1 percent field shooting, falling behind early with a 52-29 halftime deficit.

The lopsided affair’s combined 144 points soared above the ‘total’ of 127, making the OVER 3-2 in Wake Forest’s last five games. Demon Deacons freshman Madison Jones recorded two steals in 11 minutes on the floor, while both teams united to hit 27-of-45 free throws.

Back Wake Forest as a home dog

Bookmaker.eu opened Duke as 14-point home NCAAB odds favorites, with early betting on Wake Forest driving the number south a ‘hook’ to 13 ½. Both rivals will be idle until Saturday’s NCAAB betting, with Duke visiting Florida State and Wake Forest traveling to meet Maryland.

I am adding Wake Forest to my sports picks for Wednesday night, taking the points at home. The Demon Deacons have cashed with a 5-0 spread record over their last five contests in Winston-Salem, putting up 72.2 PPG in that stretch.

Wake Forest is 3-0 ATS in its last trio of meetings with Duke, including this month’s 80-62 defeat as a 22 ½-point road dog. Demon Deacons forward Travis McKie came away with a double-double on the Blue Devils’ floor, finishing with 22 points and 11 boards.

McKie and Harris each knocked down 7-of-11 field buckets, while the duo and their mates outrebounded Duke, 37-29. Wake Forest logged a costly 19 turnovers compared to six from the Blue Devils and should see that ratio balance out in this rematch at home.

Look for the Demon Deacons to get the money again, adding to a 6-0 spread record in their last six spots that followed a defeat.

NCAAB Picks:  Wake Forest Demon Deacons +13 ½ (Bookmaker.eu)