Southern Utah Thunderbirds will visit Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a non-conference game. The Thunderbirds have a 3-1 record this season, with all three wins coming at home. They will look to improve their away performance after a loss to High Point.
Wake Forest holds a 2-1 record so far, winning both home games. The Demon Deacons aim to continue their strong home form at Lawrence Joel Coliseum. Key players like Gavin Placide and Kevair Kennedy have been vital in recent victories.
The odds favor Wake Forest with a spread of -20.5, and they are the favorite in this matchup. Southern Utah, as the underdog, will look to surprise with players such as Jaiden Feroah and Anthony Breland. The game will be broadcast on ACC, scheduled for 4:00 PM ET.
Wake Forest vs Southern Utah At a Glance
- Matchup: Southern Utah vs Wake Forest
- Venue: Lawrence Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem NC
- Date & Time: Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ACC
- Wake Forest Favorite: -20.5 spread
- Southern Utah MoneyLine Odds: +1291
Wake Forest Demon Deacons: A Deep Dive into the Current Season
Offensive Overview
The Demon Deacons are averaging 72 points per game, placing them towards the bottom nationally. Their possessions per game also rank low, indicating a slower pace of play. Their field goal percentage stands at 43.3%, which is below average.
Three-point shooting has been a struggle for Wake Forest. They make 7.7 three-pointers per game, hitting them at a rate of 30.7%. Their free throw shooting has also been challenging, with a 65.0% conversion rate.
Defensive Insights
On defense, the Demon Deacons manage 7.7 steals per game. Their blocks per game are at 4.7. They commit 16.3 fouls per game, which is relatively moderate.
Turnovers are limited to 11 per game, showing discipline in their play. Their overall defensive stats suggest a need for improvement to compete at a higher level.
Key Players
Kevair Kennedy leads the team with 16.3 points per game. He also contributes 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists, showing all-around skills.
Gavin Placide follows with 14.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. His shooting accuracy stands at 50%, making him a reliable scorer.
Recent Performances
In recent games, Wake Forest had a win against Charleston Southern, scoring 82 points. However, they faced a loss to Vanderbilt, managing only 51 points.
In these games, Kennedy and Placide showed consistent performances. Their contributions were crucial in maintaining competitive play.
Injury Concerns
Jamari McDowell's availability is uncertain due to an undisclosed injury. This could impact the team's depth in the guard position.
Monitoring his status will be essential as his presence adds value to the team's dynamics.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- SU as Favorite: 2-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 0-3 (0.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 0-2 (0.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-3 (0.0%)
Southern Utah Thunderbirds: A High-Scoring Machine on the Road
Offensive Power
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds are putting up impressive numbers this season. They are averaging 108.2 points per game, ranking them third overall. Their effective field goal percentage stands at 63.2, which is 13th in the nation.
The team attempts 74.0 field goals per game, placing them 10th in that category. They also excel in two-point shooting with a percentage of 67.6. This efficient shooting is a big part of their offensive success.
Key Players
Anthony Breland is a standout guard for the Thunderbirds. He is averaging 14.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is an impressive 55.3.
Forward Jajuan Nicholls also contributes significantly. He averages 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Nicholls has a remarkable field goal percentage of 76.0, leading the team in that category.
Defensive Stats
Southern Utah's defense is not as strong as their offense. They are recording 10.2 steals per game, which ranks them 448th. They also have 5.2 blocks per game, putting them at 464th in that category.
However, they are managing turnovers well. With 10.8 turnovers per game, they rank 102nd. This control can be a key factor in close games.
Recent Performance
The Thunderbirds have played four games this season. They have a record of 3-1 in these games. In their most recent game, they lost to the High Point Panthers by a score of 88-59.
Despite that loss, they had a dominant performance against Bethesda Lion Angels, winning 143-49. This shows their potential to score heavily against less formidable opponents.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- SU Last 5: 3-1 (75.0%)
- SU Last 10: 3-1 (75.0%)
- SU All Games: 3-1 (75.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 0-1-2 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 5: 0-1-3 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 10: 0-1-3 (0.0%)
- ATS All Games: 0-1-3 (0.0%)
- ATS as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
Wake Forest vs Southern Utah Prediction: Southern Utah +20.5
Southern Utah comes into this game with an impressive offensive output, scoring 108.2 points per game. Their efficient shooting and rebounding strength give them an edge in staying competitive against stronger teams. Despite Wake Forest being favored, Southern Utah's offensive firepower could keep the game within reach.
Wake Forest has been struggling against the spread, not covering in any of their last three games. Their offensive production is much lower, scoring only 72.0 points per game. This discrepancy may allow Southern Utah to cover the +20.5 spread.
While Wake Forest plays at home, their recent performance shows vulnerability. Their 0-3 ATS record suggests they might not be able to win by a large margin. Southern Utah's ability to score efficiently makes the underdog spread of +20.5 attractive.
Projected final score: Wake Forest 85 - Southern Utah 70. Southern Utah's ability to keep it close with their high-powered offense is key. The spread gives enough cushion for them to cover.
- Wake Forest vs Southern Utah Prediction: Southern Utah +20.5
- Wake Forest vs Southern Utah Score: Wake Forest 85 - Southern Utah 70
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