Virginia Tech vs Wake Forest Odds and Picks

• The Wake Forest Demon Deacons seek first conference win against ACC rival Virginia Tech as betting underdogs
• The Demon Deacons have lost four straight, while the Hokies have opened the season on a 10-2 SU run
• We’ve got you covered with all the odds and trends ahead of Sunday night’s ACC matchup

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons will aim to halt a four-game losing streak when they host the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday night as 6.5-point underdogs.

The Demon Deacons remain winless in conference play with Wednesday’s 77-65 loss to Louisville, while the Hokies vie for a third straight victory to remain in striking distance of the top of the ACC conference standings after tallying decisive home victories over Duke and Notre Dame last weekend.

Here’s a look at the odds and trends ahead of Thursday night’s matchup at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Virginia Tech vs Wake Forest Odds

*Odds taken at FanDuel on 01/16/2021.

Demon Deacons Off to Dismal Start

The Demon Deacons have shown little sign of ending a run of nine losing seasons in 10 years during their winless start in ACC conference action. Wake Forest opened their schedule strong with three straight home victories over lightweight opponents, but have struggled since.

Now sporting an 0-4 SU record to claim sole possession of the basement in the ACC standings, the team is winless in seven straight dates with ACC rivals, dating back to last February.

Highlights from the Cards 77-65 victory at Wake Forest.#GoCards pic.twitter.com/aWGIEFFqUT

— Louisville Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) January 14, 2021

While Wake showed signs of an offensive breakthrough down the stretch last season, averaging 82.3 points per game over their final six conference matchups, they have averaged just 62 points per game during their winless start, and are now pegged at No. 148 in adjusted defensive efficiency at Kenpom.

The team’s efforts have not been helped by their recent tendency to cash in on low-percentage shots, with more than half of their 57 field goal attempts vs Louisville coming from beyond the arc, where they have gone a meagre 21-for-80 during their four game slide.

.@DukeMBB defeats Wake Forest 79-68 with a good shooting day from the field! 😈#ACCMBB pic.twitter.com/UPenzTMXOq

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) January 9, 2021

The Demon Deacons have enjoyed some success on home hardwood, winning outright in eight of 10 prior to this past week’s loss to the Cardinals, including a 5-2 SU and 6-1 run in conference play.

However, that success has not extended to recent dates with the Hokies, who have gone 7-1 in their past eight clashes including a 4-0 SU and ATS mark at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Wake Forest has also regularly come up short against nationally ranked opponents, falling to defeat in 14 of 16, including each of their past three outings.

Hokies Aim To Take Hot Start On Road

The Hokies aim to maintain a red-hot start that has lifted them to a 10-2 record overall, and into the No. 20 spot in the AP Top 25 national rankings. Virginia Tech has also steadily rewarded sports bettors in the early going. With last weekend’s 74-67 win over Duke as 2-point home underdogs, the team has now covered in six of seven outings, including a 3-1 ATS run in games where they were favored by 6.5 or more.

Virginia Tech #Hokies move down one spot in AP Top 25 poll to No. 20 after a loss at Louisville and a win over Notre Dame.

— Matej Sis (@MatejS247) January 11, 2021

However, the Hokies fell to defeat in their lone road game so far this season, a 73-71 loss to the surprising Cardinals as 3.5-point underdogs. And while the Hokies enjoy a respectable position in the national rankings, they lag well behind the front of the pack at Kenpom, where they sit at No. 32 overall, and a lengthy No. 43 in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Virginia Tech looks good. Hunter Cattoor is lights out from anywhere and can even put it on the deck. Keve Aluma is a dark horse for ACCPOY. Likely the second best team in the ACC right now behind Clemson or Louisville. Virginia isn’t far behind.

— Jack Prahinski (@prahinski_jack) January 11, 2021

Virginia Tech will be looking for another big effort out of leading scorer Keve Aluma on Sunday night. The junior big man is tops on the squad with 15.6 points per game, and has also averaged team best with seven rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Aluma has recorded double-digit point totals in each of his past seven outings, and has recorded double-doubles on two occasions.

With the Hokies finding their groove, and the Demon Deacons struggling to keep pace against conference opponents, look for Virginia Tech to extend its dominance with a fifth straight victory over Wake.

The Picks: Hokies -6.5 (-118); OVER 141.5 (-112)