Wake Forest vs North Carolina Odds, Picks and Predictions: Tar Heels Cruise in ACC Clash

The North Carolina Tar Heels will look to keep their undefeated record in conference play alive as they host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in an ACC showdown on Monday night.

North Carolina has been dominant in ACC action play, winning their last six games by double digits. The Tar Heels are favorites once again in the college basketball odds as they face Wake Forest, which is coming off an emphatic 90-65 road win over Louisville on Saturday. 

The Tar Heels have been shutting down their opponents defensively throughout the conference schedule, a problem the Demon Deacons will need to solve if they want to stay in tonight’s game.

We’ll look at their chances in our free college basketball picks for Wake Forest vs. North Carolina on January 22. 

Wake Forest vs North Carolina best odds

Wake Forest vs North Carolina picks and predictions

This may be a down year for the ACC, but that should take nothing away from what the North Carolina Tar Heels have accomplished in conference play.

So far, no league opponent has managed to score more than 70 points against UNC, with several behind held below 60 points. Overall, opponents are averaging 69.3 points per game against UNC, but given the Tar Heels tend to play quickly, that’s one of the more impressive defensive numbers in the country. 

That defense is paired with an offense that's averaging 83.4 points per game. Senior guard RJ Davis is putting up 20.2 points per game and has established a highly effective two-man game with 6-foot-11 senior Armando Bacot (14.6 ppg). Outside of three competitive neutral site losses to excellent teams — Villanova, UConn, and Kentucky — it’s a combination that opponents haven’t been able to solve.

While the Wake Forest Demon Deacons are tied for second in the ACC, and have an impressive record, it hasn’t faced the kinds of opponents that would prepare them for North Carolina. The Demon Deacons don’t have a signature nonconference win — perhaps their 82-71 victory over Florida is the best one — and haven’t beaten any of the top teams in the ACC. 

Wake Forest brings significant firepower to the table, with four players averaging over 14 points per game, led by guards Hunter Sallis (17.7 ppg) and Kevin Miller (17.4 ppg). The Demon Deacons are putting up 81.1 points per game and are shooting 39.3% from 3-point range as a team. In theory, they have the kind of offense that should give the Tar Heels a challenge.

However, lesser defenses have kept Wake Forest at bay. NC State beat the Demon Deacons 83-76 last week, holding them to 42.9% shooting from the field and just 6-for-18 from deep. The Tar Heels present a tougher challenge both on the perimeter and inside, with Bacot blocking 1.9 shots per game.

A mediocre Wake Forest defense isn’t going to be able to stop North Carolina from scoring, and the Tar Heels are more than capable of winning a shootout if necessary. UNC has more talent, more ways to score, and a suffocating defense that’s unlike anything the Demon Deacons have faced this year.

Yet the oddsmakers have shown Wake Forest a surprising amount of respect in this game. North Carolina is only a 7.5-point favorite at most books.

I’m not sure that line would be reasonable on a neutral court, let alone in North Carolina for a Wake Forest team that is just 1-3 on the road this year. I’m laying the points with UNC.

My best bet: North Carolina -7.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

Wake Forest vs North Carolina same-game parlay

North Carolina -7.5

Over 156.5

RJ Davis Over 19.5 points

+380 at DraftKings

I’m sticking with UNC to cover the spread. In addition, I’m going to throw in a bet on the Over tonight. While the Tar Heels have been excellent on defense, they play quickly and have been generally playing to higher totals against better competition. Wake Forest can score, and that should get us Over the number.

Because I’m expecting plenty of action, I’m looking to round out this SGP with a bet on RJ Davis to hit the Over on his scoring prop at 19.5 points. Davis has gone Over that number in 10 of his last 14 games, and he should be able to find similar success against Wake Forest tonight.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Wake Forest vs North Carolina spread and Over/Under analysis

North Carolina opened tonight’s game as an 8.5-point favorite. The consensus line has come down to 7.5 points, with -110 odds offered on both sides of the spread at most books.

Both teams have played well against the spread this year. Wake Forest has put up a 10-7-1 ATS mark on the year, while North Carolina has done even better at 11-7 ATS.

I’ve made the Tar Heels my best bet for the night. While these two teams have similar records, there’s little comparison when you dig deeper. UNC is better on both sides of the ball, and their defense should be able to contain the one thing Wake Forest has going for them in this matchup — a balanced offense that can stay in games with 3-point shooting.

The total opened at 154 points. That Over/Under has risen since then, with books offering totals ranging from 155 to 156.5 points, depending on where you look. That makes shopping around a necessity, as there are different numbers and odds available at virtually every site as of Monday afternoon.

Wake’s offense has given the edge to the Over, which has gone 11-7 in the Demon Deacons’ games this season. North Carolina has played right on the total, with the Over and Under each going 9-9 when the Tar Heels play.

It’s tempting to expect the North Carolina defense to keep the scoring under wraps tonight, but that’s probably not realistic for a couple of reasons. First, Wake Forest has too many options to be shut down completely and has consistently played to higher totals.

Secondly, the Tar Heels like to play quickly themselves and have played some high-scoring games when faced with other offensive-minded teams. I’m leaning towards the Over tonight.

Wake Forest vs North Carolina betting trend to know

North Carolina is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games overall. Find more college basketball betting trends for Wake Forest vs. North Carolina.

Wake Forest vs North Carolina game info

Wake Forest vs North Carolina key injuries

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