Wake Forest vs NC State Prediction 2/22/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Wake Forest vs NC State Prediction for this college basketball game on Saturday,  February 22nd, at the PNC Arena. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Panthers’ recent form and recent player performance 

-The Wolfpack’s recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Wake Forest

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving NC State

-Recent betting trends in games played between Wake Forest and NC State

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Panthers and Wolpack.

How Good is Wake Forest?

No one has really talked about Wake Forest this season, but at worst, they are a good team and have been competitive against some excellent teams. Wake Forest has won four of their last five games, including the last game. The only loss came two games ago by two points against a Florida State squad that is hot. In the last game against SMU, Wake Forest scored 77 points on the way to the 11-point win. 

The offense for this squad has been inconsistent, but the defense is, for real, giving up only 66.7 points per game. This is a top-heavy team in terms of talent, but Hunter Sallis is one of the better players in the conference. Overall, Sallis is averaging 18.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. One issue for Wake Forest is Omaha Biliew has dealt with a foot injury that has really limited his production. Two games ago when they lost against Florida State, they gave up 51 points in the second half, and it’s going to need to be a more complete game. 

Why Wake Forest Will Beat NC State

• Wake Forest has won 15 of its last 16 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• NC State has lost 10 of its last 11 games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• The road team has won the first half in nine of NC State’s last 12 games.

Is NC State’s Confidence Shot?

NC State faced off against North Carolina in the last game, and they were awful. NC State scored 73 points, which is fine in a normal game, but it’s not even close to enough when the defense gave up 97 points. Jayden Taylor put up 19 points and two rebounds to pace the offense. NC State shot 45.8 percent from the field, but they allowed NC State to shoot 57.4 percent from the field. Two games ago, Boston College only shot 35.4 percent against them, and they need that defense back. 

The defense hasn’t been awful for this team, but the real letdown has been the offense. The Wolfpack are averaging 69.6 points per game. NC State has some solid offensive players, but no one that rises above the rest. This late in the season, NC State still hasn’t found a guy they can go to get the clutch shot when needed. Marus Hill is the leading scorer, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and one assist. For NC State to have any shot in this game, the defense is going to need to be better than they were last game. 

Wake Forest vs NC State Prediction

Do we trust Wake Forest on the road? Early in the season, the answer would probably be no, but they are playing a much better brand of basketball right now, and they are going to find more success here. NC State’s offense isn’t good enough, and they are averaging only 69.6 points per game. Sallis is a mismatch nightmare in this game for Wake Forest, and he will attack a weak defense that just struggled to slow down North Carolina. Wake Forest might not score 80, but they will score at least 72 or 73. It’s not like they need to win by 8 or 9 points to cover the spread; it’s only a couple of points. Back Wake Forest against the spread.