Minnesota vs Wake Forest Picks and Prediction – 11/29/2024

The Minnesota Golden Gophers stay in Florida Friday for a third-place match-up against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Minnesota has five wins and two losses coming into Friday following their loss on Thursday. Offensively the Golden Gophers have been mediocre this season scoring 64 points and 42.4% shooting from the floor. Defensively Minnesota has been elite holding opponents to 57.2 points per game through seven games played. Stay up to date with our College Basketball Picks.

Offensively Minnesota was mediocre in their last outing scoring 66 points but just nine in the overtime on 41.5% shooting from the floor. The Golden Gophers also shot just 13% from beyond the arc and an abysmal 52.9% from the free throw line. Lu’Cye Patterson led the way for the Minnesota offense with 14 points on 20 shots and 44 minutes. Femi Odukale was second on the team with 13 points on nine shots and Frank Mitchell added ten points on five shots and 17 minutes. Parker Fox led the way off the Minnesota bench with 12 points on nine shots in the game.

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons roll into Friday with six wins and two losses on the year following the loss on Thursday. Offensively Wake Forest has been solid this season scoring 72.9 points on 44% shooting the floor. Defensively the Demon Deacons have done well enough allowing 66.3 points per game through eight games played.

Offensively Wake Forest struggled against Florida on Thursday scoring just 58 points on 37.5% shoot from the floor. The Demon Deacons also shot just 15% from beyond the arc and lost the rebounding battle by 14 in the game. Cameron Hildreth and Hunter Sallis led the way for the Wake Forest offense scoring 15 points each. Tre’Von Spillers chipped in heavily as well for the Demon Deacons with 14 points and 13 rebounds in 36 minutes of action. Wake Forest got little to nothing from the bench as three different players combined to score 7 total points on six shots in the game.

Both teams have found success this season, but Wake Forest is the better team in this matchup. The Demon Deacons have a solid defense backed by the better offense. Look for Wake Forest to do the work Friday afternoon in Florida to get the winning cover against Minnesota to end their trip with a bang. Final Score Prediction, Wake Forest Demon Deacons win and cover 76-66.