Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024

Time: 8:00 PM ET

Arena: Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Winston-Salem, NC

The North Carolina A&T Aggies are set to face off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on November 7, 2024. This matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to capitalize on their recent successes. With the game taking place at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC, fans can expect an electric atmosphere as the Demon Deacons look to extend their winning streak against the Aggies.

Current Form

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The Demon Deacons kicked off their season with a solid win against Coppin State, finishing 64-49. While they showed some defensive grit—forcing 20 turnovers and limiting their opponents to just 28.3% shooting—they struggled a bit on offense. They shot only 39.3% from the field and an even lower 24.3% from three-point range.

Key players stepping up included:

Cam Hildreth, who led with 15 points, and
Omaha Biliew, who made an impressive debut with 11 points in just 15 minutes.

Coach Steve Forbes was happy with the defense but knows they need to step it up offensively if they want to compete against tougher teams.

North Carolina A&T Aggies

On the flip side, North Carolina A&T came out swinging in their opener, absolutely crushing Cheyney University with a score of 107-55! Talk about a statement game! They showcased an explosive offense, hitting the boards hard with 16 offensive rebounds.Standout performances included:

Jahnathan Lamothe, who lit it up with 27 points, and
Will Felton, who returned from injury to contribute a solid 17 points and grab 12 rebounds.

This victory marked a big turnaround for the Aggies, who are looking to bounce back after a tough previous season.

Injury Reports: Who’s In and Who’s Out?

Right now, both teams are relatively healthy, which is great news for fans. There are no major injuries reported that would impact the lineups significantly. However, it’s always good to keep an eye on player conditions as the season progresses.

Matchup Insights: How Do They Stack Up?

Now let’s dive into how these teams match up against each other:

Offensive Styles: Wake Forest is known for its fast-paced play and three-point shooting. However, they’ll need to find their rhythm quickly against an Aggies team that has shown it can score in bunches.
Defensive Strengths: The Demon Deacons have built a reputation as a tough defensive team under Coach Forbes. Their ability to force turnovers will be crucial against North Carolina A&T’s high-scoring style.
Historical Context: Historically, Wake Forest has dominated this matchup, winning all six meetings since 2018. The last time they faced off was in November 2021, where Wake won decisively at 87-63.

Statistical Insights: What the Numbers Say

Historical Data

Wake Forest has consistently outperformed North Carolina A&T in past matchups, especially at home. This trend could play a significant role in how this game unfolds.

Advanced Metrics

Looking at advanced stats:

Last season, Wake Forest had an Offensive Rating (OR) of around 110, indicating strong offensive capabilities.
Their Defensive Rating (DR) was about 95, showcasing their efficiency on that end of the floor.

In comparison, North Carolina A&T struggled last season with an OR of about 90, while their DR hovered around 110, indicating some defensive weaknesses.

Recent Trends

In terms of recent performance:

Wake averaged around 78 points per game last season.
North Carolina A&T managed only about 65 points per game, and their defense allowed nearly that same amount.

Expert Opinions and Predictions

Let’s check out what some prediction models say:

1. KenPom

Prediction: Wake Forest 85, North Carolina A&T 65

2. Dimers

Prediction: Wake Forest 87, North Carolina A&T 63

3. TeamRankings

Prediction: Wake Forest 84, North Carolina A&T 66

4. FiveThirtyEight

Prediction: Wake Forest 86, North Carolina A&T 64

5. The Power Rank

- Prediction: Wake Forest 82, North Carolina A&T 68

Why Pick Under 152 Total Points?

With the total points line set at 152 for this matchup, going with the under seems like a smart move based on several factors:

While Wake Forest has potential for high scoring, they struggled offensively in their opener.
Historical data shows that when these two teams meet, scoring tends to be lower than expected because of Wake’s strong defense.
Prediction models indicate that while Wake is expected to score significantly, North Carolina A&T may not keep pace offensively based on last season’s averages.

Conclusion

As we gear up for this exciting matchup between North Carolina A&T and Wake Forest, here’s what you can look forward to:

Final Score Prediction: Wake Forest 85 – North Carolina A&T 65
Recommended Bet: Under 152 total points

With standout performances expected from players like Cam Hildreth and Jahnathan Lamothe, this game is sure to be one for the books! So grab your snacks and settle in; this is going to be a fun one!

PICK: under 152 total points WIN