MD Eastern Shore vs Wake Forest Prediction 11/2/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons meet Monday in college basketball action from the LJVM Coliseum. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. 

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prediction

I’m on Wake Forest here. This is a massive number for a new look Wake Forest team with a ton of roster turnover compared to what they had last season. However, this is still a talent disparity with what both teams were able to bring in via the portal, and I think Wake opens up a can here on UMES so give me the Demon Deacons at home.

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks Recap

The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks come into the 2026-27 season looking to show signs of growth under head coach Cleo Hill Jr. after finishing the 2025-26 campaign with a 9-23 overall record and a 5-9 mark in MEAC conference play. Maryland Eastern Shore had some positive moments early in conference action with wins over Morgan State, Howard, Norfolk State, and Coppin State, but struggled down the stretch with a difficult late-season slide that included losses to Delaware State, North Carolina Central, and a tight 76-83 overtime defeat to North Carolina Central in the MEAC tournament quarterfinals. The primary challenge for the Hawks heading into this season is an immense roster turnover, as Levi Beckwith stands as the lone key returner while the program experiences heavy losses including Michael Teal, Jaden Cooper, and Zion Obanla. To offset the departure of nearly the entire rotation, the Hawks have turned heavily to the transfer portal and junior college ranks, bringing in a massive wave of newcomers anchored by Division II transfers Israel Hall, who averaged 15.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, Alvin Cole, who posted 12.3 points, and Bobby Gardner. With an entirely re-engineered roster and an influx of new talent, Maryland Eastern Shore faces significant unknowns as they try to find their footing in the MEAC this season.

Why the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks will win

• Maryland-Eastern Shore has won the first half in three of its last four games.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Recap

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons enter the 2026-27 season looking to rebuild and advance under head coach Steve Forbes after a 2025-26 campaign where Wake Forest finished 18-17 overall and 7-11 in ACC play. Wake Forest showed strong flashes down the stretch in conference play with wins over Georgia Tech, Stanford, Clemson, Syracuse, and California, but consistency was difficult to maintain. Entering the ACC tournament as the 13-seed, they opened with a thrilling 95-89 overtime victory against 12-seed Virginia Tech before falling 62-71 to 5-seed Clemson in the second round. The Demon Deacons earned an NIT invitation, defeating Navy 82-72 in the first round before ending their season with a close 75-78 loss to Illinois State in the second round. Heading into 2026-27, Wake Forest faces major transition with Isaac Carr standing as the lone key returner amidst heavy departures including Juke Harris and Myles Colvin. However, the program heavily supplemented its rotation through the transfer portal, adding Kevair Kennedy from Merrimack, who averaged 18.4 points per game, Justin Ray from Monmouth, who averaged 11.3 points, and key depth additions like Ring Nyeri and Xavier Pintelon. Merging a revamped transfer-heavy core with fresh talent gives Wake Forest the foundation to stay competitive in the ACC this upcoming season.

Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win

• Wake Forest has won 38 of its last 39 night games against non-Conference opponents at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
• Maryland-Eastern Shore has lost 24 of its last 25 road night games against non-Conference opponents.
• Maryland-Eastern Shore has lost the first half in each of its last 14 Monday road games against non-Conference opponents.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Wake Forest -30.5