SMU vs Wake Forest Prediction 1/20/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a SMU vs Wake Forest Prediction for this College Basketball game on Tuesday, January 20th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Preview

Wake Forest Demon Deacons have a 11-7 record this season and are tied in the 12th place of the ACC. They have a 8-3 home record and are coming off a 69-68 away win against Florida State. Their previous three games were a 87-84 away loss against North Carolina, a 81-77 home loss against Miami and a 81-78 home win against Virginia Tech.

Offensively, Wake Forest averages 81.1 points per game, while allowing 75 points per game defensively. The Demon Deacons shoot with 45% from the field and grab 34.2 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14.8 assists per game. They average 3.4 blocks per game and 9.5 steals per game defensively.

Juke Harris leads Wake Forest in scoring, with an average of 20.1 points per game, while shooting with 45.3% from the field and 77.2% from the free throw line, and is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.4 per game. Nate Calmese leads the team in assists with 5.1 per game.

SMU Mustangs Preview

SMU Mustangs have a 13-5 record this season and are tied in the 11th place of the ACC. They have a 1-3 road record and are coming off a 72-68 home loss against Virginia. Their previous three games were a 77-76 home win against Virginia Tech, a 82-75 away loss against Duke and a 74-70 away loss against Clemson.

Offensively, SMU averages 87.3 points per game, while allowing 76.7 points per game defensively. The Mustangs shoot with 50% from the field and grab 38.3 rebounds per game, while dishing out 17.6 assists per game. They average 3.9 blocks per game and 7.8 steals per game defensively.

Boopie Miller leads SMU in scoring, with an average of 20.3 points per game, while shooting with 46.7% from the field and 89.0% from the free throw line, adding a team-high 6.8 assists. Samet Yigitoglu is the team’s leading rebounder with 8.1 per game.

SMU Mustangs @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Trends: January 20, 2026

Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win

• Wake Forest has won 43 of its last 49 night games at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• SMU has lost three of its last four games.
• The home team has won the first half in four of Wake Forest’s last five games.

Why the SMU Mustangs will win

• SMU has won 17 of its last 19 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Wake Forest has lost three of its last four night games against Conference opponents.
• Wake Forest has lost the first half in each of its last six night games against Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Wake Forest’s last nine home night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 158 or fewer points.
• Each of SMU’s last six night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 158 or fewer points.

SMU vs Wake Forest Prediction

In this SMU vs Wake Forest Prediction, SMU is coming as -1.5 road favorites. SMU has been the better team this season but they have been bad on the road, while Wake Forest has been strong at home. Both teams have been struggling lately, as Wake Forest is 2-4 in its last 6 games and 1-6 against the spread in its last 7, while SMU is 1-3 both straight up and against the spread in its last 4, so I see no value on either side. Both teams have been playing some lower-scoring games lately despite their good offenses, as their last three games combined have gone under the total. With the total set at a high 158.5 points, I will go under that number today.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Under 158.5