Wake Forest 13-5 at #3 North Carolina 15-3 7pm ESPN
After a full slate of ACC Basketball games this past weekend, we have a stand-alone game between Wake Forest and North Carolina on Monday night. Wake Forest is coming off a 90-65 win at home over Louisville and has won 2 of their last 3. North Carolina won at Boston College on Saturday 76-66 and have now won 8 games in a row.
Both Wake Forest and North Carolina score in the 80s on offense and like to run at a faster tempo. The Demon Deacons shot 39.3% from 3-point range on the season, but they also cannot fall in love with the three as North Carolina likes to get out and run. UNC can shoot as well, but look for the Tar Heels to try and get star big Armando Bacot involved early in their offense. His size and strength are tough to defend and Wake Forest will have their hands full.
It was good to see Damari Monsanto back in the lineup for Wake Forest, as he scored 12 points and had 3 rebounds in his first game of the season. However, it is hard to say how much they can count on him on the road at Chapel Hill in his second game back. Sallis and Miller both have to play well for Wake Forest to win. One of the keys for Wake Forest is getting to the free-throw line and putting North Carolina in foul trouble.
In the end, Chapel Hill is a tough place to play and North Carolina is showing themselves to be one of the best teams in the country. I think Wake Forest will keep it close into the 2nd Half, but I see North Carolina extending the lead late to win the game.
Line: UNC -7.5