Wake Forest heads to Durham for a key ACC showdown against No. 2 Duke on Monday at 7:00 PM ET. The Blue Devils sit atop the conference standings with a 26-3 record (17-1 ACC), while Wake Forest is in fourth place at 20-9 (12-6 ACC). Duke won the first matchup this season, 63-56, on January 25.
Duke has dominated at home with a perfect 16-0 record at Cameron Indoor Stadium, while Wake Forest is 6-5 on the road. The Demon Deacons are looking for a resume-boosting victory as they fight for positioning in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils aim to solidify their hold on the top seed in the ACC Tournament.
Wake Forest Preview – Can the Offense Step Up?
Wake Forest is coming off a 74-71 home win over Notre Dame, a game in which Cameron Hildreth scored 28 points. Hildreth has been the leading scorer in six of the past eight games and remains the focal point of the offense. Hunter Sallis has also been a consistent contributor, but overall, Wake Forest’s offense has struggled against elite defenses.
The Demon Deacons average 71.0 points per game, ranking 265th in the country. They shoot just 45.4% from the field and 28.6% from three, ranking near the bottom of Division I in perimeter shooting. In their first meeting against Duke, Wake Forest managed only 56 points, struggling to find quality looks against the Blue Devils’ defense.
Rebounding will be key for Wake Forest, as they rank just 303rd nationally in total rebounds per game. They will need big contributions from forward Efton Reid (7 RPG) and Tyree Spillers to keep up with Duke’s size and athleticism in the paint.
Duke Preview – Blue Devils Rolling Despite Injuries
Duke enters this game in strong form despite dealing with injuries. Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick, briefly exited Saturday’s 100-65 win over Florida State due to an eye injury but returned to action in the second half. He leads Duke in scoring (19.3 PPG), rebounds (7.6 RPG), and assists (4.1 APG).
Point guard Tyrese Proctor missed the last game due to a knee injury, forcing head coach Jon Scheyer to adjust the lineup. Freshman Isaiah Evans stepped up with 19 points, while Kon Knueppel handled primary ball-handling duties, ensuring Duke didn’t commit a first-half turnover.
The Blue Devils boast one of the best defenses in the country, allowing just 61.1 points per game (7th nationally). They rank top five in field goal defense (38.4%) and limit opponents to just 30.5% shooting from three-point range. Wake Forest struggled to score in the first matchup, and with Duke’s defense clicking, it could be another long night for the Demon Deacons.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Cooper Flagg vs. Cameron Hildreth: Flagg is Duke’s best all-around player, while Hildreth is Wake Forest’s top scorer. If Hildreth struggles to create offense, Wake Forest will have trouble keeping up.
- Rebounding Battle: Duke has a size advantage in the paint. If Wake Forest can hold its own on the boards, they can keep this game competitive.
- Wake Forest’s Shooting: The Demon Deacons have struggled from deep. If they can’t improve their perimeter shooting, it will be tough to crack Duke’s defense.
Betting Prediction
Duke’s defense and depth make them the clear favorite in this matchup. Even if Proctor remains out, Flagg and the supporting cast should control the game. The Blue Devils won the first matchup by seven despite a poor shooting performance, and at home, they should have an easier time scoring.
Wake Forest has struggled in road games, and their offense has been inconsistent. The Demon Deacons’ inability to score efficiently could make it difficult to keep pace with Duke for a full 40 minutes.
Final score prediction: Duke 75, Wake Forest 60. The Blue Devils should cover the spread, and with Wake Forest’s offensive struggles, the total may stay under.
Pick: Duke -10, Under 136.5
