The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (10-11) will try to put an end to their six-game skid when they take on the Clemson Tigers (13-8) at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 2 and can be seen on EFC and ES3.
The Demon Deacons are hoping to rebound after their 85-62 loss to Notre Dame on Sunday. Devin Thomas had a good outing, recording 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists for Wake Forest. The Tigers, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 76-65 loss against Florida State on Saturday. Jaron Blossomgame led the game in scoring with 22 points.
Blossomgame has been hot for the Tigers, averaging 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.0 block, and 2.0 three-pointers over the past five games.
A focal point for Wake Forest is getting to the free throw line. It ranks ninth in the nation in FTA rate (46.4), but Clemson is among the best in the nation at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 25th by yielding a FTA rate of 27.5).
Clemson is a slim one-point favorite over Wake Forest. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at 140 points for this matchup. The Demon Deacons have gone 10-11 Straight Up (SU) and 7-10-2 Against The Spread (ATS).
In the other locker room, the Tigers have 13-8 SU and 11-6 ATS records. Clemson performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning an 8-2 record. The Tigers allow just 63.2 points per game, ranking them 16th in the nation. Blocking shots is an area where Clemson has excelled. The Tigers average 5.4 blocks per game, making them one of the best in the nation. Taking care of the basketball is something the Tigers do very well, averaging just 10.8 turnovers per game.
These conference foes will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Clemson came out on top, bumping its SU record over their most recent meetings to 6-4. With a 7-3 record, the Demon Deacons have the advantage ATS. In these last five matchups, each team was able to hold the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once.
Predictions: SU Winner – Clem, ATS Winner – Clem, O/U – Under
Notes
Wake Forest is 2-4-2 ATS in its last 8 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wake Forest’s last 5 games.
Wake Forest is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games.
Wake Forest is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Wake Forest is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wake Forest’s last 5 games when playing Clemson.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Wake Forest’s last 7 games when playing at home against Clemson.
Clemson holds a 6-3 SU record against the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, while Wake Forest has an underachieving 1-8 SU record against the conference.
In its last game, Wake Forest lost by a margin of 23 points. Clemson is 6-1 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Wake Forest has a 0-3 record in blowouts.
Wake Forest averages 71.1 possessions per game, scoring 1.047 points on each possession. While Clemson averages fewer possessions per game with 63.7, they score more points per possession with 1.090.
Wake Forest has an average effective field goal percentage of 49.5%. Clemson is a subpar 3-7 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Wake Forest attempts 19.0 three pointers and Clemson attempts 21.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have a winning 7-3 record while the Clemson Tigers are even at 6-6.
Clemson, the 22nd-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 5.4 blocks per game. Wake Forest ranks 61st with 4.6.
Wake Forest ranks 72nd in offensive rebounding. Clemson ranks 218th in defensive rebounding.
Wake Forest has forced an average turnover rate of 15.2% this season. In games where its turnover rate is 15.2% or higher, Clemson is an even 6-6.
