Wake Forest vs Virginia Tech Prediction: Demon Deacons Need Road Win at Virginia Tech

March has arrived, so the importance of every college basketball game can’t be understated, especially for a bubble team like the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. On Saturday, the Demon Deacons face a tough road test against the Virginia Tech Hokies.

When these teams met earlier this season, Wake Forest steamrolled Virginia Tech 86-63. However, there is no guarantee the Demon Deacons will be able to replicate that result on the road, where they have struggled all season.

The oddsmakers are expecting a much more competitive game than that 22-point affair. This is a straight-up PK, meaning this game could easily go either way. Let’s take a closer look at this game and give you our best bet.

It's a little bit surprising to see this game listed as a toss-up, considering the 22-point gap in the first meeting and the three-game gap in the ACC standings. However, when we look beneath the surface, we discover that Wake Forest has had a world of troubles on the road while Virginia Tech has overachieved when playing at home. 

That explains why oddsmakers believe this game could go either way. Here are the current odds for Saturday’s Wake Forest vs Virginia Tech game.

Odds are via DraftKings. Learn more about DraftKings in North Carolina before it goes live on March 11. Also, don’t forget that folks in North Carolina get $100 in bonus bets at DraftKings just for signing up and then another $200 in bonus bets after making a $5 wager.

The Demon Deacons find themselves in a precarious position at the start of March. With 10 wins inside the ACC and victories over Florida, Virginia, and Duke, they have a strong tournament resume. However, they’ve struggled on the road and don’t have much margin for error coming down the stretch. 

How bad has Wake been on the road? The Demon Deacons are just 2-8 in true road games. They are also just 2-6 against the spread in their last eight road games. Earlier this week, Wake was a 70-65 loser on the road against Notre Dame despite being a 6.5-point favorite. 

The differences between the Demon Deacons at home and on the road are staggering. In their last five home games, they are averaging 89.2 points per game. Yet, they’ve only managed to score more than 70 points in two of their last six road games. The Wake Forest bench continues to be non-existent, putting a lot of pressure on the team’s stars. Leading scorer Hunter Sallis was limited to just seven points in the loss to Notre Dame, explaining Wake’s loss and continued road woes.

The silver lining for the Demon Deacons is that Virginia Tech has also struggled coming down the stretch. With six losses in their last eight games, the Hokies have seen their NCAA Tournament hopes vanish. They are just 7-10 in ACC play and coming off back-to-back double-digit losses.

Nevertheless, the Hokies have been excellent at home this season. Despite a disappointing 15-13 overall record, Virginia Tech is 12-2 at Cassell Coliseum. Duke and Miami are the only teams to win at Virginia Tech this season with the Hokies claiming against the likes of Clemson, Florida State, and Virginia. They are even 5-2 against the spread in home ACC games.

The tandem of Sean Pedulla and Hunter Cattoor gives Virginia Tech one of the most experienced backcourts in the ACC. Sophomore Tyler Nickel joins them in giving the Hokies three perimeter shooting threats. However, with Nickel’s recent struggles, Pedulla and Cattoor have a lot on their shoulders. Without enough scoring depth, the Hokies don’t want to get into another shootout against Wake Forest, which is why they lost to the Demon Deacons by 23 points earlier this season.

Wake Forest vs Virginia Tech Prediction and Betting Pick

Admittedly, it’s hard to trust Virginia Tech after the run they’ve had lately. In the past week, the Hokies have been crushed by both Pitt and Syracuse. However, Virginia Tech’s prowess at home is hard to ignore, especially since the Hokies have a talented and experienced backcourt.

At the same time, it’s impossible to ignore Wake’s road struggles this season. The Demon Deacons are a different team away from home, and their recent losses on the road are proof of that. Even if they are the better team and have more on the line, it’s hard to envision the home-road splits for each of these teams suddenly reversing. Look for the Hokies to win this game and damage Wake’s NCAA Tournament chances.

Wake Forest vs Virginia Tech Pick: Virginia Tech ML at DraftKings Sportsbook

How to Watch Wake Forest vs Virginia Tech

When: Saturday, March 2, at 5:30 PM EST

Where: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Virginia

TV: CW Network

If you or someone you know needs support or wants to speak with a professional about responsible gambling, seek out the correct resources. Call 1-800-GAMBLER to get help, or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. WSN is an advocate for safe gambling practices.