Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Oklahoma Sooners Picks and Predictions December 2nd 2025

Game Preview: Oklahoma Sooners @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The ACC/SEC Challenge brings a fast-paced matchup to Winston-Salem as the Oklahoma Sooners visit the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Coliseum. Wake Forest opened as a 4.5-point favorite, with Oklahoma at +181 on the moneyline and the total at 158.5. Both teams enter on three-game winning streaks, each carrying top-60 scoring efficiency into the matchup. Oklahoma aims to secure its first road win of the season, while Wake Forest continues to rely on its strong home track record. The broader national landscape remains fluid, with teams shifting up and down the NCAAB board available through the main college basketball hub.

Odds and Key Information

The opening spread of Wake Forest -4.5 has held, though early sharp money touched Oklahoma, while the public favors the Demon Deacons at home. The total moved slightly from 158 to 158.5, reflecting the high-tempo expectation and both teams’ efficiency metrics. Oklahoma enters averaging 9.1 turnovers per game, one of the lowest marks nationally. Wake Forest, meanwhile, forces 17 turnovers per contest, creating a stylistic clash that could shift the game’s early rhythm.

Porter Moser noted internally that Nijel Pack’s shooting gravity opens driving lanes and spreads defenses thin, while Steve Forbes has stressed the need for more consistent first-half defensive urgency after allowing a season-high early output in their most recent home game.

Oklahoma Outlook

Oklahoma’s 5-2 profile is built around perimeter volume, pace, and ball security. Nijel Pack has been a catalyst, averaging 19.3 points with five made threes in four of the last five games. That shooting output stretches defenses and allows Tae Davis to attack downhill and dominate the glass, evidenced by his 19-point, 11-rebound effort against Marquette. The Sooners attempt 29.4 three-pointers per game and hold a 55.1 percent effective field-goal rate, illustrating efficient shot distribution.

The Sooners are still searching for their first road win after early struggles away from Norman. Their key advantage lies in taking care of the ball; limiting mistakes restricts Wake Forest’s ability to run after turnovers. Oklahoma’s spacing should create mismatches if it can draw Wake Forest’s bigs away from the paint and open up offensive rebounding lanes. The team’s availability status can be monitored through its injury page, linked naturally through their team hub above.

Wake Forest Outlook

Wake Forest enters 6-2 with an offense that distributes scoring across multiple threats. Juke Harris leads with 19.6 points and 7.1 rebounds, showcasing inside-out versatility. Tre’Von Spillers adds 15 points and strong interior activity, forming a balanced frontcourt that thrives in half-court sets. Wake Forest averages 87.4 points, ranking top 60 nationally while producing 16.6 assists per game. That ball movement has translated to consistent home performances at 5-2.

Defensively, Wake Forest must address slow starts. Allowing Northeastern 44 first-half points underscored vulnerabilities in ball-screen containment and early rotations. Still, their ability to force turnovers and turn live-ball defense into transition scores remains a strong differentiator. The Demon Deacons’ depth may also play a role, especially if they can generate foul pressure on Oklahoma’s smaller backcourt. Personnel notes and health updates remain accessible through their team injury report, linked through the team hub above.

Key Matchup Table

Key Factor	Advantage
Turnover Battle	Wake Forest
Backcourt Shot Creation	Oklahoma
Frontcourt Efficiency	Wake Forest
Three-Point Volume	Oklahoma
Home-Court Impact	Wake Forest

Betting Trends

Wake Forest is undefeated at 6-0 straight up as a favorite this season and has performed reliably at home. Oklahoma has won three straight overall but remains 0-2 on the road, where its scoring efficiency dips slightly. Both teams lean toward higher totals, with recent games frequently exceeding projections due to tempo and perimeter reliance. This is the first-ever meeting between the programs, though Nijel Pack has previous success against Wake Forest from his Miami tenure.

For broader line movement and additional angles across the board, bettors can review updated numbers at the college basketball odds center: NCAAB Scores & Odds.

The Lean

Models project a tightly contested matchup with both offenses finding rhythm early. Oklahoma’s spacing and low turnover rate make +4.5 an appealing number, particularly with Pack’s recent shot-making consistency. Wake Forest still projects to win narrowly due to frontcourt advantages and home-court energy.

Projected Score: Wake Forest 88, Oklahoma 86
Best Bet: Oklahoma +4.5
Total Lean: Over 158.5

For additional matchup insights and comparisons across the week’s board, readers can review more breakdowns at the NCAAB previews section: College Basketball Previews.

Why You Need Expert Picks

Games with tight spreads and contrasting offensive styles amplify the value of expert projections. The Handicappers Leaderboard at the main picks hub provides a clear view of top-performing analysts who monitor efficiency shifts, early line movement, rotational patterns, and sharp-side indicators. These insights often highlight value before numbers adjust, particularly in high-variance, high-tempo college games.

Expert picks help identify regression markers, late-game matchups, and live-betting opportunities based on pace and possession quality. Bettors seeking additional depth can explore more guidance at the site’s basketball betting guide: NBA Betting Guide.

Projected Final Score: Wake Forest 88, Oklahoma 86
Best Spread Pick: Oklahoma +4.5
Total Lean: Over 158.5