Wake Forest vs Xavier Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/16/24

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Xavier Musketeers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Cintas Center. Here’s a Wake Forest vs Xavier prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Wake Forest vs Xavier pick. We will examine:

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons’ recent form and player performance

The Xavier Musketeers’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Xavier Musketeers

Recent betting trends in games played between Wake Forest and Xavier

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Wake Forest vs Xavier game

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Preview

The Deacons have played four games so far, and each one has been a win. The opener matchup was a 64-49 victory over Coppin State, then came an 80-64 win over NC A&T in game two. Wake Forest eked by Michigan 72-70 back on Sunday.

In Wednesday’s matchup with USC Upstate, the Deacons played another close one. Wake Forest scored 41 points in the first half and 44 more in the second for an 85-80 win. Hunter Sallis led the team with 23 points with six assists and five boards.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

Over on the Xavier side, they’re perfect on the season so far as well. The Musketeers took out Texas Southern 78-69 in their 2024-25 opener. Game two was another victory, this time 94-80 versus IUPUI last Friday.

Matched up against Jackson State on Tuesday, Xavier carried a 40-25 edge into the second half. The Musketeers scored 54 more points from there in a 94-57 win. Zach Freemantle led the team on 21 points, while Dailyn Swain doubled on 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Xavier has won each of its last nine-day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Wake Forest has lost the first half in four of its last five-day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win

• Wake Forest has won each of its last four games.

Wake Forest Vs Xavier Prediction

I’ll probably lean toward Xavier, but you could make a good case for either team. The Musketeers are coming off a pretty easy win over a struggling Jackson State team, posting 54.1 percent shooting from the floor, 51.6 percent from outside (16-of-31), and 46 rebounds. That makes 78 or more points in each of Xavier’s games so far, with 94 in each of the last two.

As for Wake Forest, they’re doing quite well this season also. The Deacons were out-rebounded by USC Upstate 34-33 in their last outing though, and posted a tepid 66.7 percent (22-of-33) from the line. I like Saturday’s game to be close as well, with Xavier eking out a cover. It’ll be a fun one to check out.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Xavier Musketeers -6