Wake Forest vs Pittsburgh Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 1/4/2020

Game: Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Pittsburgh Panthers

Date: Saturday, January 4, 2020

Location: Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: ACCNE

Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh -7.5

Total/Over-Under: 134.5

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons travel to Petersen Events Center to play the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, January 4, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh as 7.5 point favorites.

Wake Forest comes into this game with an overall record of 7-5. They currently have a point differential of 1.8 as they are averaging 74.3 points per game while giving up 72.4 per contest. Pittsburgh has an overall mark of 10-3. They are averaging 66.4 points per contest and giving up 59.7, which is a point differential of 6.7.

Valuable Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Trends

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are 6-6-0 against the spread

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are 7-5-0 against the over/under

Important Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 7-6-0 against the spread

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 5-8-0 against the over/under

Key Wake Forest Demon Deacons Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

11/05/19 F Kene Chukwuka Hip is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Chaundee Brown averages 13.6 points per game in 29.5 minutes per contest. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 6.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. Brandon Childress comes into this contest averaging 16.3 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per night. He pulls down 2.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Player Spotlight

Xavier Johnson averages 12.0 points per game and he sees the court an average of 32.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 5.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 71%. Trey McGowens averages 12.1 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.7 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 71%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Demon Deacons allow 72.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 258th in Division 1. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 230th and 221st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.4 rebounds a game which ranks 190th, and they give up 12.4 assists per contest which puts them in 176th place in the NCAA. They force 12.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 64th in the nation. Wake Forest averages 74.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 127th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 1.8 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 243rd. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 139th in D-1. They average 39.3 rebounds per game and 13.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 64th and 176th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 98th with 14.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Panthers surrender 59.7 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 40% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 79th and 201st in those defensive statistics. They rank 121st with 11.8 assists allowed per contest, and 196th with 35.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Panthers are 303rd in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 16.5 per game. Pittsburgh is 301st in the country with 66.4 points per game this year. They are 265th in the D-1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 6.7. They shoot 29% from 3-point range, which is good for 326th in the nation. They are 177th in the country in rebounding with 36.1 boards per game and 266th in assists per contest with 12.2. The Panthers are 244th in turnovers per game with 12.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Demon Deacons are 187th in the nation in offensive rating with 101.3. In terms of pace they are 77th in the country with 72.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 279th. As a team they are 195th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 329th in Division 1. Wake Forest is 145th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Pittsburgh is 206th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.4 times per 100 possessions. The Panthers are 182nd in the country in offensive rating with 101.4. In terms of pace they are 335th in Division 1 with 65.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 47% is 305th. As a team they are 274th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 293rd in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Wake Forest/Pittsburgh college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh -7.5

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