The No. 5 Louisville Cardinals (19-3, 10-1 ACC) put their eight-game winning streak on the line when they take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (10-11, 3-8 ACC) at KFC Yum! Center. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, and will air on ESPN2.
Louisville is a 15.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 142 points at Draftkings Sports Book.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Louisville Cardinals Free Prediction
The Demon Deacons will be hoping for a similar result after defeating the Clemson Tigers in their last contest, 56-44, as 2-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (100) were well under the O/U total of 139. The Demon Deacons had a much better free throw rate (0.200 vs. 0.068) and held the Tigers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.339 (below their season average of 0.504). Wake Forest rallied around Olivier Sarr, who put up seven points and 13 rebounds.
The last time the Cardinals were in action, they had no trouble getting past the North Carolina State Wolfpack, 77-57, easily covering as 4.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (134) were under the projected point total of 140.5. Louisville’s 0.609 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over North Carolina State, who had a rate of 0.369. The Cardinals’ mark was above their season average of 0.533, while the Wolfpack’s was below their season average of 0.506. Ryan McMahon was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field.
After the Cardinals won the sole contest against the Demon Deacons last season, 82-54, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Louisville launched 24 three pointers, making 10 of them (41.7 percent). Wake Forest was, meanwhile, just 2-20 (10.0 percent).
Wake Forest holds records of 10-11 straight up (SU) and 11-10 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Demon Deacons have typically gone over the O/U total (71.4 percent).
Meanwhile, Louisville is 19-3 SU and 13-9 ATS. Of the Cardinals’ 22 games, 11 have finished over the total.
Louisville could have their way on defense as they battle against one of the NCAA’s worst offenses. The Cardinals currently rank seventh in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.429), while Wake Forest is 274th in effective field goal percentage (0.478).
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Louisville Cardinals Betting Pick
Basketball Tip: ATS Winner – Louisville, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Wake Forest is 6-5 ATS with 7 overs and 4 unders.
At home, Louisville is 7-6 ATS with 7 unders and 6 overs.
Louisville ranks 25th in assists allowed per game (10.2) while Wake Forest ranks 136th (12.7).
The Cardinals average 39.8 rebounds per game, which ranks 29th in the NCAA. The Demon Deacons rank 139th in rebounds allowed per game (35.1).
Wake Forest ranks 154th in three pointers allowed per game (21.9) while Louisville ranks 235th (24.3).
In its last five outings, Wake Forest is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Louisville is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Demon Deacons have outscored opponents by an average of 3.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Wake Forest has lost by an average of 0.5 points.
During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 78.0 points per game (2.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.0 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
