The No. 15 Louisville Cardinals (15-5, 6-1 ACC) look to lengthen their five-game winning streak against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (8-11, 1-6 ACC) at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, and will air on ESPN 3.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Free Prediction
The Cardinals will be looking for a similar outcome after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers in their last matchup, 66-51. The Cardinals made 14 of their 16 free throws (87.5 percent), while the Panthers had a turnover percentage of 22.2 (above their season average of 17.4). Steven Enoch led the way for Louisville, contributing 12 points and 11 rebounds.
In the Demon Deacons’ previous game, they lost to the Boston College Eagles, 65-61. Boston College’s turnover percentage was the team’s largest advantage over Wake Forest. The Eagles had a rate of 9.2 (better than their season average of 15.5), while the Demon Deacons posted a mark of 21.4 (above their season average of 16.1). With 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting, Jaylen Hoard was the top scorer from either team.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Demon Deacons are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 44th in offensive rebounding percentage at 33.8 percent. Meanwhile, Louisville ranks 36th in the country at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 75.8 percent. Moreover, the 37th-ranked offense of the Cardinals (offensive efficiency of 113.2) will attempt to exploit the 299th-ranked defense of the Demon Deacons (defensive efficiency of 108.0).
After the Cardinals won the sole contest against the Demon Deacons last season, 96-77, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Cardinals had a much better turnover percentage (8.2 vs. 22.7) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.577 vs. 0.533).
Louisville Cardinals vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Louisville, ATS Winner – Wake Forest, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Louisville ranks 106th in assists per game (14.1) while Wake Forest ranks 239th (10.8).
The Cardinals rank 98th in three pointers attempted per game (24.1) while the Demon Deacons rank 225th (20.1).
Louisville averages 3.3 blocks per game, which ranks 108th in the country. Wake Forest ranks 132nd in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
The Cardinals rank 62nd in rebounds per game (38.0) while the Demon Deacons rank 64th in rebounds allowed per game (32.8).
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The Cardinals’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.2, up from 11.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Demon Deacons have scored an average of 62.6 points per game (8.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.6 points per game (1.5 below their season average).
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