Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs North Carolina Tar Heels Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Saturday, January 10, 2026
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Wake Forest visits North Carolina on Saturday afternoon in an ACC matchup at the Dean E. Smith Center. The Demon Deacons are 10-6 overall and 1-2 in ACC play, currently tied for 10th place in the conference standings, coming off an 81-77 home loss to Miami on Wednesday. North Carolina is 13-2 overall and 1-1 in ACC action, tied for 6th place in the conference, and looks to rebound after a 97-83 road loss at SMU in its most recent game. Build your card for this matchup using our free college basketball picks.
Wake Forest vs North Carolina Game Information
- Date: Saturday, January 10
- Time: 6:00 PM ET
- Location: Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
- TV: ACC Network
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Preview
Wake Forest relies heavily on guard Juke Harris, who leads the team with an average of 19.9 points per game while also contributing 6.3 rebounds. Harris gives the Demon Deacons a reliable scorer who can create off the dribble and attack mismatches. Nate Calmese runs the offense, averaging 5.0 assists per game, but his 2.2 turnovers per contest highlight an issue that can surface against pressure defenses.
The frontcourt combination of Tre’Von Spillers and Myles Colvin provides interior scoring and rebounding, though Wake Forest has struggled to consistently control the glass against stronger opponents. Defensively, the Demon Deacons allow 74.7 points per game and have had trouble stringing together stops, particularly late in close games.
Key Stats Per Game
- Points: 81.6
- Points Allowed: 74.7
- Rebounds: 35.1
- Assists: 15.3
- Steals: 9.5
- Blocks: 3.8
- Turnovers: 12.3
North Carolina Tar Heels Preview
North Carolina is anchored by Caleb Wilson, who leads the Tar Heels with averages of 19.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Wilson’s ability to score well inside and clean the glass on defense gives North Carolina strong play on both ends. Henri Veesaar adds interior scoring, while Seth Trimble and Kyan Evans help balance the backcourt with playmaking and perimeter defense.
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Defensively, the Tar Heels have been strong, allowing just 65.9 points per game, one of the better marks in the ACC. Their size advantage shows up on the boards, where they average 41.8 rebounds per game. Turnovers remain a concern at 9.9 per game, but UNC’s defensive pressure often offsets mistakes by creating turnovers by opponents that often turn into transition points.
Key Stats Per Game
- Points: 81.3
- Points Allowed: 65.9
- Rebounds: 41.8
- Assists: 17.5
- Steals: 5.5
- Blocks: 3.9
- Turnovers: 9.9
Wake Forest vs North Carolina Prediction
North Carolina holds clear advantages on defense, rebounding, and interior scoring. Wake Forest can keep pace offensively when Harris is hitting shots, but its defensive mistakes and turnover issues are magnified on the road against a disciplined Tar Heels team. UNC’s ability to control the glass and limit second-chance opportunities will gradually help the Tar Heels build a second half lead. Final Score Prediction: North Carolina Tar Heels win and cover ATS 85-70.
Best Picks
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Under
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