The stage is set for a thrilling ACC showdown as the #8 Duke Blue Devils (21-5, 12-3 ACC) travel to Winston-Salem to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (17-9, 9-6 ACC). The Blue Devils aim to extend their five-game winning streak, while the Demon Deacons look to defend their perfect 14-0 home record and strong 10-3 record against the spread on their own turf.
Rematch with High Stakes
This game is a rematch of a tight contest just two weeks ago, where Duke escaped with a 77-69 victory, barely covering the 7-point spread. Can Wake Forest avenge their home loss, or will Duke continue their dominance on the road?
Wake’s Homecourt Advantage and Key Stats
Wake Forest boasts an impressive home record and a potent free throw shooting prowess (80.5%, third-best nationally). However, they’ll need to overcome their poor three-point shooting performance (6 of 26) from their previous meeting with Duke.
Duke’s Balanced Attack
The Blue Devils, led by Kyle Filipowski’s 16.9 points per game, bring a well-rounded scoring attack with five players averaging double digits. They’ve cruised to victory in recent blowout wins, showcasing their ability to dominate.
Tale of the Tape: Common Opponents
Interestingly, while Duke holds a record of 11-7 against common opponents, Wake Forest has fared better at 10-6 with a larger average margin of victory (14.2 points vs. Duke’s 7.4). This suggests Wake Forest might be underestimated.
The Prediction
While a betting line isn’t available yet, expect a very close spread with Duke potentially favored by a mere point or two. Our model, focusing on recent form, surprisingly predicts a Wake Forest upset: 74-70. Can the Demon Deacons maintain their home dominance and take down the ACC leaders?
This Saturday afternoon clash promises to be a must-watch for any ACC basketball fan!