Syracuse vs Wake Forest Prediction 2/28/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Syracuse Orange and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons meet Saturday in college basketball action from LJVM Coliseum. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Syracuse Orange vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons prediction.

Syracuse Orange Recap

The Syracuse Orange come into this game looking to bounce back from their 77-64 loss at the hands of North Carolina last time out to sit at 15-13 this season. After this game, Syracuse will head on the road for a game against Louisville.

Orange Drop Back-To-Back Games

Donnie Freeman leads the Orange in scoring with 16.7 PPG along with 7 RPG while William Kyle III has a team-high 8.9 RPG to lead the Orange in rebounding this season. J.J. Starling has 12.4 PPG with 2.8 RPG and 2.3 APG and Nate Kingz has 11.3 PPG with 3.7 RPG. Naithan George has 10.3 PPG with 3 RPG and a team-high 5.3 APG to lead the Orange in assists and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Syracuse so far this season. William Kyle has 8.9 PPG with 7.5 RPG to lead Syracuse in rebounding and Kiyan Anthony has 8.4 PPG as well this season. As a team, Syracuse is averaging 75.6 PPG on 46.9% shooting from the field, 33% from three and 63.4% from the foul line this season.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Recap

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons come into this game looking to bounce back from a 68-67 loss to Boston College last time out to sit at 14-14 this season. After this game, Wake Forest will head on the road for a game against Virginia.

Demon Deacons Lose Back-To-Back Games

Juke Harris leads the Demon Deacons in scoring and rebounding with 21.7 PPG and 6.6 RPG while Tre’Von Spillers has 10.8 PPG with 5.8 RPG and Myles Colvin has 11.5 PPG with 4.3 RPG. Nate Calmese has 10.1 PPG with a team-high 4.8 APG to lead the Demon Deacons in assists and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Wake Forest so far this season. Mekhi Mason has 7.3 PPG with 2.8 RPG as well this season. As a team, Wake Forest is averaging 78.8 PPG on 44.8% shooting from the field, 33.8% from three and 76.5% from the foul line this season.

Syracuse Orange @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Trends: February 28, 2026

Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win

• Wake Forest has won each of its last 10 Saturday night games at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
• Syracuse has lost each of its last five road games.
• Syracuse has lost the first half in each of its last four road games.

Why the Syracuse Orange will win

• Wake Forest has lost each of its last four games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Syracuse has won nine of its last 11 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Wake Forest has lost the first half in each of its last seven Saturday games against Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Nine of Syracuse’s last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 154+ points.
• Seven of Wake Forest’s last eight home games have produced a total of 158+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Wake Forest ranks 39th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (76.5%).
• Wake Forest ranks 40th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (8.4).
• Syracuse ranks 365th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (63.4%).
• Syracuse ranks T2nd among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (6.2).

Syracuse Orange vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prediction

I’m on the Demon Deacons at home here. Admittedly, I was tempted with Syracuse considering the Orange have played a tough schedule in conference play, but the thing is that I feel that Wake Forest is the deeper and more talented team when you look at these two teams side-by-side, and I think the Demon Deacons win and cover at home here. Give me Wake Forest.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Wake Forest -3.5