The No. 2 Duke Blue Devils will celebrate their Senior Night when they host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Monday night.
The Blue Devils will look to notch their 18th ACC win of the season, while the Demon Deacons hope to secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament field with a victory. Duke came out with a seven-point win at Wake Forest in the first meeting; can they sweep the season series, or will Wake Forest pull off an upset win on the road?
Find out below as we make a prediction and break down the spread, total, and money line bets.
Wake Forest vs. Duke Betting Preview
All Wake Forest vs. Duke odds are from Fanduel Sportsbook and are correct as of Monday, March 3, 2025.
- Spread
Duke -19.5 - Moneyline
Duke -4000, Wake Forest +1400 - Over/Under
144.5 Points - Game Time
Monday, March 3, 7:00 p.m. ET - Location
Cameron Indoor Stadium | Durham, NC - How To Watch
ESPN
Wake Forest has not been good at covering this season, with a 12-16-1 record ATS. However, they have covered 50% of their ACC matchups. In the Demon Deacons’ previous four games as an underdog—as they are in this contest—they’ve covered three times.
Duke has been terrific ATS this season, covering 19 of their 29 games, including 12 of 18 in conference play. They’ve covered each of their last five outings with an average margin of victory of 33.8 points.
As a below-average offensive squad, Wake Forest has exceeded the point total in only 12 of its 29 games this season. But in conference play, it has reached the over 10 times versus eight under. The over has been the correct play in its last three games.
Duke’s over/under record is 15-14, including 11-7 in conference play. As part of their scoring hot streak, the over has hit in each of their last five games.
Cooper Flagg Injury Update
The Blue Devils’ freshman phenom Cooper Flagg suffered an eye injury in their last game against the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday evening.
Flagg was originally believed to be out for the game but came back in after being treated by Duke’s medical staff. According to head coach Jon Scheyer, who spoke about the injury after the game, there’s a bruise on Flagg’s eyelid, not his actual eye. Scheyer lauded the freshman’s toughness in being able to come back into the game, finishing off a 35-point victory.
There are currently no reports that indicate he’ll miss this game; expect Flagg to be out there against the Demon Deacons.
Preview for Wake Forest vs. Duke
Duke, currently ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, has been rolling lately. They’ve compiled an overall record of 26-3, including 17-1 in ACC play. Since their lone conference loss to the Clemson Tigers, they’ve been on an offensive roll, averaging 95.2 ppg. They’ve crossed into triple digits three times while scoring 97 points two games ago.
Wake Forest enters with a 20-9 overall and 12-6 conference record, good for a three-way tie for fourth place. This is a pivotal game for the Demon Deacons in terms of the standings and the NCAA Tournament field.
With a win, they’d surely stamp themselves in, but, while a loss wouldn’t destroy their chances, they run the risk of other teams around them picking up victories.
The Demon Deacons will be led by guard Hunter Sallis, who’s averaging a team-high 18.5 ppg. The 6’5″ senior is a terrific slasher with an innate ability to draw contact and get to the line.
Fellow guard Cameron Hildreth helps take some of the pressure off Sallis, which he’s been doing at a particularly high level as of late. In his last seven games, Hildreth is scoring at a clip of 22.4 ppg, nearly seven points higher than his season average.
7-foot senior center Efton Reid III is a hefty presence down low; in the first meeting between these teams, he played 38 minutes as the anchor of the defense that allowed Duke to a season-low 63 points. He’s fouled out in two of the last three games — if he stays out of foul trouble, he’ll be a key cog for Wake Forest.
It certainly won’t be easy against one of the most explosive offenses in the nation in the Blue Devils.
Flagg is Duke’s leader, leading them in every major stat category except blocks. His unselfishness, while also scoring 19.3 ppg, allows others to shine and raises the team’s offensive ceiling.
RELATED: Cooper Flagg Scouting Report: A True Generational Prospect?
In fact, in the last three games, freshman guards Kon Knueppel (once) and Isaiah Evans (twice) have been the scoring leaders for the Blue Devils. Knueppel is a force from beyond the arc, while Evans, a five-star recruit, has come along lately. He’s averaging 17.3 ppg off the bench over his last four games.
Combine that effort with the steady play of starting 6’6″ guards Tyrese Proctor and Sion James, and the Blue Devils are stacked.
There’s a reason Duke has only lost three games this season, with two coming over three months ago.
Best Bets and Final Score Prediction
The clear best bet here is with the point total. Opening at 143.5 and now settling at 145.5 points, the over is the clear play here.
The Blue Devils, albeit against lesser ACC competition, have scored 95.2 ppg in their last six games. That alone would ensure a successful over, with Wake Forest scoring just 51 points.
Now, even if they are held 15 or 20 points below that, it’s very possible it could go over as well. After all, the Demon Deacons have gone over in each of their last three games, while the over has been the right play for Duke’s last five outings.
Although their last matchup totaled only 119 points, that was at the beginning of conference play. The Blue Devils are a completely different team while Wake Forest has established itself as a potential top-four team in the conference.
Take the over of 145.5 points here — it’s a low number for a game featuring a team that’s reached the century mark in three of their last five games.
In terms of the spread, I don’t love the -20.5, despite Duke’s recent dominance. That’s a stay away for me.
I love a player prop bet for Wake’s Cameron Hildreth. As mentioned, the senior guard has been on a heater lately, averaging 22.4 ppg over his last seven. That’s come with an increasing number of shot attempts.
His points line is set at 15.5, a mark he’s reached in all seven of those games. Even though Duke’s guards are terrific defenders with excellent length, this would be a travesty, not to mention based on Hildreth’s recent hot stretch.
Take his over—though his efforts won’t be enough for a Demon Deacons win. They may keep it close into the second half, but the Blue Devils will assert their will down the stretch, winning by double digits.
Picks: Over 145.5 Points, Cameron Hildreth Over 15.5 Points (-114)
Prediction: Duke 83, Wake Forest 71
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