NC State Wolfpack vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Picks and Predictions for Saturday January 31, 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 01/31/2026, 04:55 AM ET

NC State travels to Winston-Salem on Saturday afternoon to take on Wake Forest at LJVM Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:45 PM, and the game will be televised on The CW Network. NC State enters this ACC matchup as a 4-point road favorite, with the total set at 154.5 points. The moneyline odds were not released at the time of this writing. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting insight.

Wolfpack Carrying Momentum into Winston-Salem

The NC State Wolfpack come into this matchup with a 15-6 overall record and have been playing strong basketball in recent weeks. Over their last five games, the Wolfpack have wins over Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Clemson, and Florida State, with their lone loss coming at home against Georgia Tech. That stretch shows a team that has been effective both offensively and in close-game situations.

NC State is averaging 85.4 points per game while allowing 71.7 points per contest. They shoot 48 percent from the field and do a solid job moving the ball, averaging 16.7 assists per game. The Wolfpack also bring an active defensive presence, using their athleticism to generate transition opportunities.

One of NC State’s biggest strengths has been perimeter pressure. Averaging 8.8 steals per game, the Wolfpack can disrupt opposing offenses and turn turnovers into quick points. That defensive activity could be a major factor against a Wake Forest team that has struggled with consistency.

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Demon Deacons Looking to Rebound at Home

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons enter Saturday’s contest with an 11-10 overall record and will be looking to stabilize after a tough stretch. In their last five games, Wake Forest has losses to Pittsburgh, Duke, SMU, and North Carolina, along with a narrow road win at Florida State. That recent run reflects a team that has been competitive but unable to close out games against top competition.

Offensively, Wake Forest averages 80.1 points per game while allowing 76.7 points per contest. They shoot 45 percent from the field and average 14.9 assists per game, showing the ability to score but not always efficiently. The Demon Deacons are active defensively, averaging 9.1 steals per game, which helps them stay involved even when shots are not falling.

Wake Forest’s challenge has been defensive consistency. Allowing nearly 77 points per game, they have struggled to slow down teams with strong guard play. Against a balanced NC State offense, those defensive lapses could be magnified.

NC State Wolfpack vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Pick

NC State -4

I’m backing NC State minus the points in this matchup. The Wolfpack are playing better basketball overall and bring more consistency on both ends of the floor. Their defensive pressure and ability to score efficiently give them an edge against a Wake Forest team that has struggled against quality opponents.

NC State Wolfpack vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Total Pick

Over 154.5

I’m taking the over in this game. Both teams average over 80 points per game and prefer an up-tempo style. With Wake Forest pushing pace at home and NC State capable of capitalizing on turnovers, this matchup sets up well to exceed the total.

Final Score Prediction:

NC State Wolfpack 82, Wake Forest Demon Deacons 76

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