SMU Mustangs vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Picks and Prediction for Tuesday January 20 2026
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On Tuesday, the SMU Mustangs (13-5) face off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (11-7) at LJVM Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This game will air on the ACC Network. Keep up to date with all the NCAAB action, with our College Basketball predictions.
SMU vs. Wake Forest Game Information
- January 20, 2026
- 9:00pm EST
- LJVM Coliseum
- ACC Network
Wake Forest Form & Recent Results
Wake Forest heads into this matchup riding the momentum of a hard-fought win, but overall, their season has been a bit rocky lately, as they’ve managed just two wins in their last five games. In their nail-biter against Florida State at home last Saturday, it was Nate Calmese who stole the show, dropping 18 points and sinking the decisive basket with just 6.8 seconds left to secure the 69-68 victory for the Demon Deacons. Throughout the season, Juke Harris has stood out as Wake Forest’s most reliable scorer, averaging an impressive 20.1 points per game. Myles Colvin has provided solid support as the team’s second-highest scorer, putting up 12.6 points per matchup. Harris isn’t just about scoring, though, he's also been the team’s most aggressive rebounder, averaging 6.4 boards per game. When it comes to setting up his teammates, Nate Calmese leads the way for Wake Forest, dishing out an average of 5.1 assists per game. Defensively, the Demon Deacons have had their struggles, giving up an average of 76.8 points over their last five games. Still, they’re hoping that their recent clutch win over Florida State gives them the spark they need heading into this next ACC game against SMU.
SMU Form & Recent Results
SMU heads into this game hoping to break a short skid, as they've dropped three of their last five matchups and are currently trying to bounce back from a single-game losing streak. Most recently, the Mustangs fell to Virginia at home, coming up just short in a tight 72-68 contest. Jaron Pierre Jr. led the team in that game, putting up 16 points. This season, Boopie Miller has been the Mustangs' standout performer. He's been leading the team in scoring, averaging an impressive 20.3 points per game. Not far behind him is Jaron Pierre Jr., who has chipped in an average of 17.1 points each game so far. Miller has also been a force on the boards, grabbing a team-high average of 8.1 rebounds per game, and he’s set the pace for assists as well, dishing out an average of 6.8 per game. On the defensive end, SMU has struggled a bit in recent weeks, allowing opponents to put up an average of 77.4 points over their last five games. Now, as they prepare to take on Wake Forest on the road, the Mustangs are hoping to tighten up their defense and pick up their third conference win of the season.
Key Players
- SMU’s Boopie Miller this season: 20.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 6.8 assists per game
- Wake Forest’s Juke Harris this season: 20.1 points, 6.4 rebounds per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- SMU -1.5; O/U 158.5
SMU vs. Wake Forest Picks and Prediction
Both SMU and Wake Forest have stumbled out of the gate in ACC play, each losing three of their first five conference games. With the Demon Deacons backed by a passionate home crowd determined to make life tough for the visitors, Wake Forest will be counting on their fans to create a tough atmosphere for SMU. On the court, SMU has impressed with a dynamic and high-scoring offense, and they’ll be aiming to test the resolve of Wake Forest’s defense throughout what promises to be a hard-fought game. Final Score Prediction, Wake Forest Demon Deacons win 78-66.
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