It will be a battle between ACC opponents when the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-6, 0-1 ACC) welcome the Syracuse Orange (12-2, 1-0 ACC) to Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The game will air on ESPNU at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.
Wake Forest is a 2-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 135.5 points.
Syracuse Orange vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Prediction
The Orange come in on a high note after beating the Virginia Tech Hokies in their last outing, 68-56. The Orange knocked down 17 of their 20 free throws (85.0 percent) and held the Hokies to an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.1 (below their season average of 27.4). Syracuse was led by Matthew Moyer, who contributed 11 points and 13 rebounds.
In the Demon Deacons’ last game, they lost to the No. 13 North Carolina Tar Heels, 73-69. North Carolina out-rebounded Wake Forest. The Tar Heels had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. four), defensive rebounds (35 vs. 30) and total rebounds (49 vs. 34). Wake Forest’s Bryant Crawford had a solid performance, leading the team in scoring with 17 points on 5-for-13 shooting.
It could be a sloppy game for the Wake Forest offense. Wake Forest ranks 226th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.7 percent), while the pesky defense of Syracuse forces the 93rd-most turnovers in the NCAA (21.1 percent). Also, the Orange rank third in offensive rebounding percentage (39.5 percent), while the Demon Deacons rank 265th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.7 percent).
Syracuse holds records of 12-2 straight up (SU) and 6-6 against the spread (ATS). Orange games have typically finished under the O/U total (66.7 percent).
Meanwhile, Wake Forest is 7-6 SU and 5-6 ATS. Similarly to Syracuse, Demon Deacons games also have typically gone under the O/U total (72.7 percent).
Oshae Brissett has averaged 19.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals over the last five games for Syracuse.
After the Orange won the lone game against the Demon Deacons last season, 81-76, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Orange made 22 of their 30 free throws (73.3 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (13.0 vs. 14.8).
Syracuse Orange vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Syracuse, ATS Winner – Syracuse, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Syracuse is 2-1 ATS on the road with 2 overs and 1 under.
Wake Forest is 2-3 ATS at home with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Syracuse ranks 13th in rebounds per game (41.9) while Wake Forest ranks 169th (35.1).
The Orange rank seventh in blocks per game (6.4) while the Demon Deacons rank 80th (3.8).
Wake Forest ranks 175th in three pointers attempted per game (21.1) while Syracuse ranks 241st (18.1).
The Orange rank 22nd in steals per game (8.6) while the Demon Deacons rank 84th (6.8).
Wake Forest averages 13.4 assists per game, which ranks 151st in the nation. Syracuse ranks 206th in assists allowed per game (15.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Syracuse is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Wake Forest is 2-2 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Orange’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.6, down from 9.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Demon Deacons have scored an average of 80.4 points per game (2.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.8 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
