Wake Forest vs Charlotte 12/17/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Charlotte 49ers and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons meet Friday in college basketball action from Spectrum Center. Charlotte sits at 5-4 on the year so far. The 49ers are fresh off a win over Valparaiso. As for Wake Forest, they’re 10-1 this season and took out VMI in their last appearance. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Charlotte started out the year at 3-0, then hit a losing streak versus Toledo, Drexel and Davidson. The 49ers have gone 2-1 in the three games since. They’ve got a loss to Arkansas between wins over George Washington and Valparaiso. 

In the Valparaiso game back on Saturday, the 49ers posted a 30-27 edge by halftime. Charlotte had to hang on but still came away with the win 68-67. Jahmir Young led the way on 26 points, and Austin Butler doubled up with 18 points and 10 boards. 

Over on the Wake Forest side, their year began with wins over William & Mary, Western Carolina, Charleston Southern, NC A&T, Kennesaw State and Oregon State. After a loss to LSU the Deacons beat Northwestern, Virginia Tech, USC Upstate and VMI. 

Back on Tuesday versus VMI, the Deacons were in trouble with a 42-29 halftime deficit. Wake Forest surged on a 48-28 run from there for a 77-70 victory. Leading scorer Alondes Williams led the team on 36 points with five rebounds and three assists. 

The 49ers are 0-4 ATS in their last four neutral-site games and 15-37 ATS in their last 52 after an ATS win. Charlotte is 3-7 ATS in the last 10 Friday games. 

Meanwhile, the Deacons are 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 neutral-site games and 7-19-3 ATS in their last 29 Friday games. The over is 7-3 in Wake Forest’s last 10 overall. 

PICK: I’m probably going to stick with Wake Forest here. The Deacons really need a bounce-back game here, though. Wake had a bad first half against VMI, but to their credit the team ultimately surged for the win on 36.2 percent shooting and a 44-36 rebounding edge. The Deacons had just nine turnovers but only six team assists as well. 

As for Charlotte, they’ve taken care of business in their last three games (outside of an Arkansas game they had little chance of winning) and are scoring pretty well lately. Still, if Wake Forest comes in and plays like they’re capable I don’t think the Niners can keep up.