James Madison vs Wake Forest Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/17/24

The James Madison Dukes and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the Joel Coliseum. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a James Madison vs. Wake Forest prediction.

James Madison Recap

The James Madison Dukes come into this game looking to build on a 78-61 win over Utah Valley last time out. After this game, JMU will take on South Alabama on the road.

Dukes Win Back-To-Back Games

Bryce Lindsay leads the Dukes in scoring with 14.2 PPG while Xavier Brown has 13.9 PPG with 3.5 RPG and 3.4 APG. Elijah Hutchins-Everett has 11.6 PPG with 6 RPG and Mark Freeman has 11.5 PPG with a team-high 4 APG to lead the Dukes in assists while rounding out the group of double-digit scorers for James Madison so far this season. AJ Smith also has 8.4 PPG with a team-high 7.1 RPG to lead James Madison on the glass up to this point in the year. As a team, James Madison is averaging 76.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting from the field, 36.8% from three, and 70.9% from the foul line this season.

Why the James Madison Dukes will win

• James Madison has won 27 of its last 30 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Wake Forest Recap

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons come into this game looking to build on their 72-66 win over Boston College last time out. After this game, Wake Forest will take on Clemson, Syracuse, NC State, Miami, and Stanford.

Demon Deacons Looking To Find Consistency

Hunter Sallis leads the Demon Deacons in scoring with 16.3 PPG along with 3.5 RPG and 3 APG while Cameron Hildreth has 11.9 PPG with 4.6 RPG and a team-high 4 APG to lead the Demon Deacons in assists up to this point in the year. Tre’Von Spillers has 10.6 PPG with 9.5 RPG to lead Wake Forest in rebounding and to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Wake Forest so far this season. As a team, Wake Forest is averaging 67.4 PPG on 41.6% shooting from the field, 26.4% from three, and 73.6% from the foul line this season.

Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win

• Wake Forest has won each of its last 32 night games against non-conference opponents at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
• James Madison has lost each of its last three games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.

James Madison vs. Wake Forest Prediction

I’m on James Madison here. I’m just not 100% convinced that Wake Forest is that good if we’re being honest. I know JMU doesn’t have the same type of roster compared to past seasons but the Dukes can go and will be relishing a chance to take on an ACC foe, even on the road. I think this one could come down to the wire, so give me JMU and the points in this one.