The ACC Tournament continues Wednesday night with Wake Forest meeting Clemson in Charlotte. Wake Forest enters the second round after surviving a dramatic overtime game against Virginia Tech, keeping its season alive and setting up a quick turnaround against one of the conference’s stronger teams. Clemson finished the regular season with a solid overall record and now begins its tournament run looking to build momentum before the national tournament, starting with a win in this Wake Forest vs Clemson contest.
Pick: Wake Forest +6.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Wake Forest arrives with renewed confidence after a 95-89 overtime victory against Virginia Tech in the opening round of the ACC Tournament. Seven Demon Deacons reached double figures in that game, showing impressive offensive balance. Guard Myles Colvin led the team with 18 points, while several teammates added double-digit scoring to carry Wake Forest through the extra session.
Clemson, meanwhile, has had time to rest and prepare. The Tigers finished the regular season 22-9 overall and 12-6 in conference play. Their defense has been the backbone of their success throughout the year, keeping opponents below 70 points per game in many outings. Clemson will also be eager to avenge its February loss to Wake Forest.
The biggest storyline entering this game may be fatigue. Wake Forest played an emotional overtime game less than 24 hours earlier, while Clemson enters fresh. Tournament situations often reward deeper teams with stronger defense, which could give Clemson the edge late in the game.
Clemson Tigers
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Stat | Wake Forest | Clemson |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 79.4 | 74.5 |
Points allowed per game | 77.3 | 66.3 |
Team Field Goal % | 45% | 46% |
Rebounds per game | 33.2 | 34.5 |
Assists per game | 14.3 | 13.0 |
Score Projection: Wake Forest 70 – Clemson 75 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Wake Forest 30%, Clemson 70% ATS PRO
Wake Forest proved it can beat Clemson earlier this season, but tournament circumstances may tilt the edge the other direction this time. The Demon Deacons are coming off an exhausting overtime game and now face a rested Clemson team known for strong defense. I am still going to take the points with Wake Forest as the underdog here, but I do expect Clemson to ultimately get a win here.
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