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The Duke Blue Devils have bounced back well from their defeat against North Carolina and have since won two games in a row. Now, they're preparing to host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The Demon Deacons have been one of the most remarkable stories in the ACC Conference.
Despite being 100-1 underdogs to win the conference before the season, Wake Forest has climbed the standings in ACC play. Some believe the Demon Deacons can't compete with the Blue Devils or Tar Heels, but their offensive prowess suggests they can hold their own against any team in the conference.
This is a measuring stick game for the Deacons, so let's get to my Wake Forest vs. Duke pick and betting prediction.
Wake Forest vs. Duke Odds
Monday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
| Wake Forest Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| +7 -110 |
152.5 -110o / -110u |
+235 |
| Duke Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| -7 -110 |
152.5 -110o / -110u |
-295 |
Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAB odds here.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The North Carolina loss doesn't concern me. The Demon Deacons are a legitimate team that deserves more recognition.
In their recent game against NC State, they made a comeback and won 83-77. Guard Hunter Sallis scored 33 points and played a crucial role in the victory.
On the other hand, guard Damari Monsanto has yet to contribute much. Monsanto, the most talented player on the roster, only played eight minutes in the previous game and had a left knee brace on during the second half.
There is no clarity on whether he'll play against the Blue Devils. However, it's worth mentioning that the Deacons are one of the top-30 teams in adjusted offensive efficiency and are top 50 in defensive efficiency.
They are also the second-best free throw shooting team in the country, which gives me confidence that they can hang tough with the Blue Devils. The Deacons are known for their offense, but their defense has improved over the course of the season.
They can capitalize on the Blue Devils' weak perimeter defense and shaky interior defense. The Blue Devils are a decent defensive team, but have repeatedly shown vulnerabilities in the past few weeks.
Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils seem to have put behind their loss to North Carolina in the rearview mirror and are now on a two0-game winning streak.
With their strong perimeter offense, the Blue Devils are likely to have an edge over the Deacons and can also match up well inside.
The Deacons have an explosive offense that can expose opponents from both inside and beyond the arc. However, their defense makes me hesitant to back them in this game.
The Blue Devils' defense is expected to improve, but I'm concerned they won't be able to pull away late. The Blue Devils' offense is strong, but may not be able to cover the spread.
With the Demon Deacons playing well recently, the Blue Devils may be on upset alert.
Wake Forest vs. Duke
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Deacons are capable of keeping this close and I expect them to stay within the number. They were embarrassed by the Tar Heels a couple of weeks ago, so the expectation is that they'll come out fired up on the road.
The Blue Devils are more talented, specifically on the defensive side of the floor. However, they have been exposed beyond the arc lately, so I have a feeling they may get exposed in this matchup.
The Deacons are a terrific free-throw shooting team, which gives me confidence they can keep the game close.
Pick: Wake Forest +6 or Better
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