Miami Hurricanes vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Pick & Prediction for Wednesday, January 7, 2026
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The Miami Hurricanes hit the road to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in an ACC matchup at LJVM Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU. This one profiles as a tight game on the odds board, with Wake Forest listed as a slight home favorite. Make sure you are ready for all the college basketball season with our free college basketball picks.
Miami Hurricanes: Red-Hot Form with Elite Efficiency
Miami comes in at 12–2 overall and 1–0 in ACC play, riding a W7 streak. The numbers behind that run are strong: Miami is averaging 88.5 points per game while allowing just 67.8, and they’re doing it with elite shooting at 52% from the field. Miami also rebounds well (40.9 RPG) and shares the ball at a high level (18.9 APG), which makes them difficult to slow down when they’re in rhythm.
Malik Reneau leads the way at 20.9 PPG on 59.4% shooting, and Miami’s last five results show consistent offensive pop: wins over Pitt (76–69), North Florida (105–67), FIU (98–81), UL Monroe (104–79), and Southern Miss (88–64). Even factoring opponent quality, the repeated theme is Miami’s ability to score comfortably while keeping teams from matching them possession-for-possession.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Capable Offense, but Defensive Leakiness Shows Up
Wake Forest enters at 10–5 overall and 1–1 in ACC play, coming off an 81–78 win over Virginia Tech. Offensively, the Deacs can score — 81.9 PPG — but the defensive profile is shakier, allowing 74.3 PPG while shooting 45% from the field as a team. Wake also trails Miami in the glass (36.1 RPG) and in ball movement (15.3 APG), which matters when you’re facing an opponent that thrives on efficient possessions.
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Juke Harris is Wake’s top scorer at 19.4 PPG, and Wake’s last five show volatility: a win vs VT, but losses to NC State (70–57) and Vanderbilt (98–67), alongside wins over Longwood (71–68) and Queens (111–73). That 98–67 loss stands out as a warning sign if Miami dictates tempo and spacing.
Matchup Factors
- Miami has major edges in FG% (52% vs 45%), PPG (88.5 vs 81.9), and OPP PPG (67.8 vs 74.3).
- Miami also holds advantages in REB (40.9 vs 36.1) and AST (18.9 vs 15.3).
- Despite those edges, the market is tight with Wake listed -1.5, and the matchup predictor is close (Wake 53.1% / Miami 46.9%).
Miami Hurricanes vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prediction
ATS Pick: Miami +1.5
Miami’s efficiency profile is simply stronger across the board — better shooting, better scoring margin, and better defensive results allowed. In a game lined basically as a coin flip, taking the points with the team on a seven-game winning streak and the more consistent statistical base makes sense.
Total Pick: Over 156.5
Miami’s offense is humming at 88.5 PPG, and Wake is allowing 74.3 PPG. Wake can contribute enough scoring (81.9 PPG) to keep this from turning into a one-sided total pace. If Miami plays to its season norm, this total is reachable even without a perfect shooting night from both sides.
Final Score Prediction
Miami 82, Wake Forest 79
Miami covers +1.5, and the game finishes Over 156.5.
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