A five-game road winning streak is on the line for the eighth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (19-5, 9-2 ACC) when they challenge the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (9-14, 2-9 ACC) at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Action begins at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 16, 2019, and can be seen on ACC Network.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Odds
Both teams lost in their last contest. The Demon Deacons lost big to the 17th-ranked Florida State Seminoles, 88-66, while the Tar Heels lost to the fourth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers, 69-61.
North Carolina held Virginia to an offensive rebounding percentage of 12.0 (below their season average of 32.0) while Wake Forest had a better free throw rate (0.193 vs. 0.129). Chaundee Brown had a good game for Wake Forest, finishing with 20 points. Cameron Johnson fueled North Carolina with 16 points and seven rebounds.
The Tar Heels won the sole game between these two teams last season, 73-69. North Carolina out-rebounded Wake Forest. The Tar Heels had 14 offensive rebounds and 49 total rebounds, while the Demon Deacons had four and 34, respectively. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Demon Deacons are among the nation’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 35th in offensive rebounding percentage at 34.3 percent. Meanwhile, North Carolina ranks 13th in the nation at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 76.6 percent. Moreover, the Tar Heels rank 24th in offensive efficiency (114.0), while the Demon Deacons rank 317th in defensive efficiency (109.6).
North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Odds Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Wake Forest, ATS Winner – Wake Forest, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- North Carolina ranks fourth in assists per game (19.6) while Wake Forest ranks 252nd (10.7).
- The Tar Heels average 23.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 111th in the NCAA. The Demon Deacons rank 186th in three pointers allowed per game (23.1).
- North Carolina ranks 88th in blocks per game (3.6) while Wake Forest ranks 157th in blocks allowed per game (4.1).
- The Tar Heels rank first in rebounds per game (42.8) while the Demon Deacons rank 97th in rebounds allowed per game (33.8).
- North Carolina ranks 54th in steals per game (7.5) while Wake Forest ranks 143rd in steals allowed per game (6.8).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Demon Deacons have scored an average of 59.2 points per game (9.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 75.0 points per game (0.3 above their season average).
- The Tar Heels’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.0, down from 13.2 for the season.
