Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs North Carolina State Wolfpack Picks and Predictions December 31st 2025

Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs North Carolina State Wolfpack Picks and Predictions – December 31, 2025

The ACC tips off its New Year’s Eve slate with Wake Forest visiting in-state rival NC State at the Lenovo Center. Tipoff is at 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The Demon Deacons sit at 6–7 and have struggled mightily on the road, while the Wolfpack enter at 10–3 and are unbeaten in Raleigh this season.

NC State is a 9.5-point home favorite (-112) with a -508 moneyline, while Wake Forest comes in at +344 straight up. The total is a high 159.5, reflecting two teams that want to get up and down the floor and aren’t exactly elite defensively.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs North Carolina State Wolfpack Odds

These are the current betting lines. Check back often using the latest college basketball odds to catch shifts, injury news, or betting steam.

Team	Moneyline	Spread	Total
Wake Forest	+344	+9.5 (-111)	O 159.5 (-110)
NC State	-508	-9.5 (-112)	U 159.5 (-110)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Form

Wake has been inconsistent all year. They have some real shot-makers on the wing but no go-to offensive engine in late-game scenarios. Their defensive issues show up against teams that can pressure the rim or crash the glass. On the road, they’ve been poor — both SU and ATS — and their defensive effort tends to fade as the game progresses.

They do shoot a lot of threes and play fast, which makes them volatile. If the shots are falling, they can hang around and backdoor covers are always in play with this team. But they also go cold for long stretches, which is dangerous against a team that runs.

See more on the Wake Forest stats and results and check late-breaking availability on the Wake Forest injury report.

North Carolina State Wolfpack Betting Form

NC State has looked like a real contender in the ACC when playing at home. Their guards are explosive, they push pace off every miss, and they attack the paint relentlessly. They’re averaging 84+ PPG at home and have covered five of their last six as favorites.

Defensively, they’re vulnerable from three — and that’s something to watch here — but their overall athleticism and energy have helped them create separation early in games. First-half spreads have been a profitable angle with this squad, especially when they play from in front and dictate tempo.

Full performance metrics are available on the NC State schedule and stats, and you can monitor lineup shifts on the NC State injury report.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs North Carolina State Wolfpack Matchup Breakdown

This game sets up well for the Wolfpack. They want to run — and Wake will oblige — but only one of these teams can sustain that tempo and defend in transition. NC State has better guards, more size on the wings, and a major edge in offensive rebounding.

Key matchup points:
NC State is +6.1 in offensive rebounding rate
Wake Forest allows 36.5% shooting from deep — 280th nationally
Tempo projects high — both teams in the top 75 in pace
NC State averages 23 FT attempts at home

Wake can hit tough shots, but when the game speeds up, they’ve been mistake-prone and foul-happy. NC State should have every opportunity to pile up points both in transition and at the stripe.

Need help betting fast-paced matchups like this one? Our college basketball betting guide breaks down tempo-based total strategies.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs North Carolina State Wolfpack Predictions and Best Bets

This is a big number for a conference game, but NC State has been one of the best home teams ATS in the ACC. Their pace, scoring balance, and defensive pressure give them the edge here — especially if Wake isn’t hot from deep early.

As for the total, 159.5 is a big ask, but both teams can shoot and neither plays slow. If the whistle is tight and we see a lot of free throws, this could get into the 160s without too much resistance.

Lean NC State on the full game spread, with a secondary angle on the first-half line if it opens under -6.

Best Bet: NC State -9.5 (-112)

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