Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Florida State Seminoles Picks and Predictions for Saturday January 17 2026
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Wake Forest heads to Florida State on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM EST on ESPN2 at the Tucker Center, with Wake Forest -122 on the money line and Florida State +102, the total set at 167.5 (over -105, under -115), and the spread Wake Forest -1.5 (-105) with Florida State +1.5 (-115). Make sure you’re also checking out our free college basketball picks for more plays on tonight’s slate.
Wake Forest’s Recent Slide Meets a High-Variance Opponent
Wake Forest comes in at 10-7 and has had a rough stretch recently, with losses to North Carolina (twice), Miami, North Carolina State, and Vanderbilt, plus a win over Virginia Tech.
The Demon Deacons average 81.8 points per game and allow 75.4, shooting 45% with 34.6 rebounds and 15.2 assists. They also post 3.5 blocks and 9.5 steals.
The key stat here is 9.5 steals per game, because it’s Wake’s clearest “travel skill.” Even if the shooting comes and goes, pressure defense can keep them in it and flip runs quickly.
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Florida State’s Games Are Built for Big Swings
Florida State enters at 7-10 and recently lost to Syracuse, North Carolina State, Duke, and North Carolina, but did beat Jacksonville.
The Seminoles score 83.1 points per game and allow 82.1, shooting 42% with 38.6 rebounds and 15.2 assists. They add 3.6 blocks and 9.1 steals.
When a team is allowing 82.1 points per game, it usually means you’re not getting many “easy stops.” That makes Florida State dangerous in totals, but it also makes it hard to trust them late if the game becomes a possession-by-possession execution battle.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Florida State Seminoles Pick
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Florida State Seminoles Pick
- Pick: Wake Forest -1.5 (-105)
I’m backing Wake because they’re the steadier defensive side on paper (75.4 allowed vs 82.1), and both teams generate steals at a similar level. If this comes down to who can string together stops and avoid giving up clean looks, Wake’s numbers suggest they’re more likely to win those key stretches.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Florida State Seminoles Total Pick
- Pick: Over 167.5 (-105)
I’m on the over because both teams are in the 80s offensively (81.8 and 83.1), and Florida State’s defense in particular is a points-allowed engine (82.1). Even if shooting is uneven, the steals on both sides can add possessions and quick scoring chances that push a high total like this into play.
Final Score Prediction: Wake Forest 86, Florida State 83
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