Clemson Tigers vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Final Score Clemson 77 - Wake Forest 85
Spread: L
Total: W
Matchup Analysis
This NCAAB matchup features Clemson Tigers (20-7 (11-2)) traveling to take on Wake Forest Demon Deacons (14-12 (10-6)) at LJVM Coliseum, Winston-Salem, NC. The Clemson hold a clear statistical edge this season, outperforming the Wake Forest by 7.0 points per game in scoring margin. That differential will be a key factor in this matchup.
On offense, Wake Forest averages 75.8 points per game, which exceeds what the Clemson defense typically allows (68.9 PPG). That mismatch could give the home side opportunities to exploit. The Clemson offense puts up 79.8 PPG and faces a Wake Forest defense allowing 71.9 PPG. The visitors have the offensive firepower to stay in this one.
Home court advantage is worth approximately 3.5 points in NCAAB, and Wake Forest will look to leverage their home crowd. Our model sees this as essentially a coin-flip game, projecting just a 1.1-point margin. Expect a tight finish. The 68% confidence interval ranges from Wake Forest winning by 12 to losing by 14.
Our model aligns closely with the market on this one, suggesting the oddsmakers have priced this game efficiently. Look for small edges in the total and moneyline markets to capitalize on any remaining value.
Team Comparison
CLEM Clemson
Stat
WAKE Wake Forest
20-7 (11-2)
Record
14-12 (10-6)
Last 10
79.8
PPG
75.8
68.9
Opp PPG
71.9
Current Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLEM Clemson Tigers | -218 ↓ | -4.5 ↓ | O 140.5 |
| WAKE Wake Forest Demon Deacons | +180 ↑ | +4.5 ↑ | U 140.5 |
Source: Draft Kings Updated: Feb 19, 7:37 PM
Opening line: +2.5 / O/U 138.5
Model Projection
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLEM Clemson Tigers | -114 | -1.1 | O 155.6 |
| WAKE Wake Forest Demon Deacons | +114 | +1.1 | U 155.6 |
Source: Model Updated: Feb 19, 6:55 PM
Our Picks
Spread
L
Clemson (opened at +2.5)
55% Confidence
Total
W
Over (opened at 138.5)
65% Confidence
Recent Trends
Wake Forest enters at 14-12 (10-6), hovering around the .500 mark. They've shown flashes of strong play but haven't been able to sustain consistency. At home, they'll look to put together a complete performance and build momentum.
Clemson comes in with an impressive 20-7 (11-2) record. They've been among the best teams in their conference and are playing with the confidence of a squad that expects to win. Road games can be tricky, but this team has the poise to handle hostile environments.
When these teams meet, the home team typically has the edge given the crowd advantage and familiarity factor. The team that controls tempo and limits turnovers will likely dictate the outcome of this matchup.
Matchup Edges
Wake Forest
Advantages
- Home court advantage and crowd support
- Strong offense averaging 75.8 PPG
- Familiarity with home venue and routines
Disadvantages
- Potential for inconsistency in key moments
Clemson
Advantages
- Strong 20-7 (11-2) overall record this season
- Potent offense averaging 79.8 PPG
- Road underdog motivation — play with less pressure
Disadvantages
- Playing on the road without home crowd support
- Road fatigue and travel can impact energy levels