Louisville Cardinals vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Picks and Predictions for Saturday February 7 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 02/07/2026, 03:40 AM ET
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The Louisville Cardinals travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday afternoon at LJVM Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET, and the game will be televised on the ACC Network. Louisville enters this matchup as a 7.5-point road favorite, with the total set at 159.5 points, while the moneyline is currently off the board. For more daily analysis and betting insight, be sure to check out our free college basketball picks.

Louisville Building Momentum Late in Conference Play

Louisville comes into this matchup with a 16-6 overall record and has been solid both at home and on the road this season. The Cardinals recently earned home wins over Notre Dame, SMU, and Virginia Tech, while suffering a road loss at Duke during this stretch. In their last five games, Louisville has looked sharp offensively, with multiple double-digit victories highlighting their recent form.

Statistically, Louisville averages 85.6 points per game while allowing just 70.2 points per contest. They shoot 46% from the field and are very effective on the glass, pulling down 40.6 rebounds per game. Ball movement has been a strength as well, with the Cardinals averaging 17.7 assists per game, allowing them to generate consistent scoring opportunities.

Louisville’s defensive balance is one of their biggest advantages. They defend well on the perimeter while also limiting second-chance opportunities, which has helped them control the flow of games. When the Cardinals establish tempo early, they are difficult to slow down.

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Wake Forest Struggling to Find Rhythm

Wake Forest enters Saturday’s contest with an 11-11 overall record and has struggled to find consistency during conference play. The Demon Deacons have dropped four straight games, including recent losses to NC State, Pitt, Duke, and SMU, with several of those defeats coming by double digits. Over their last five games, Wake Forest has been unable to close out competitive first halves.

Offensively, Wake Forest averages 80.0 points per game while allowing 77.6 points per contest. They shoot 45% from the field and rely on quick scoring spurts to stay competitive. The Demon Deacons average 14.6 assists per game and are active defensively, generating 9.0 steals per contest, which can create momentum swings.

Wake Forest’s biggest challenge has been defensive consistency. While they can force turnovers, they have struggled to get stops in half-court situations, particularly against teams with strong ball movement like Louisville.

Louisville vs Wake Forest Pick

Louisville vs Wake Forest Spread Pick

  • Louisville -7.5

Louisville’s balance on both ends of the floor makes them the stronger side in this matchup. The Cardinals’ rebounding advantage and ability to score efficiently should expose Wake Forest’s defensive lapses, especially if Louisville controls tempo early.

Louisville vs Wake Forest Total Pick

  • Over 159.5

I’m leaning toward the over because both teams are capable of scoring efficiently, and Wake Forest’s defensive issues often lead to higher-scoring games. If Louisville dictates pace and Wake Forest is forced to keep up offensively, this total could be reached comfortably.

Final Score Prediction: Louisville 88, Wake Forest 76

How To Bet This Matchup

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