Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Prediction, Odds & Picks for Nov. 5 – TheLines.com

The No. 24 Vanderbilt Commodores will host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Nashville, Tenn. Our Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt prediction covers odds, betting trends, and best bets for Thursday’s college basketball matchup.
The Demon Deacons opened the season with a 1-0 win over Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday. They’ve consistently been projected to finish outside the ACC’s top 10 this season.
The Commodores picked up an easy win over Bellarmine to start their season on Monday. They were projected to finish anywhere from second to seventh in the SEC throughout the offseason.
The Commodores have Final Four aspirations, while the Demon Deacons are looking for a bounce-back season in the ACC. Vanderbilt is a home favorite via DraftKings Sportsbook:
The oddsmakers expect a high-scoring game, with the Commodores at a 96% implied win probability, according to our Probability Calculator.
Check the latest odds before betting, as lines tend to shift throughout the week.
The Demon Deacons lost the majority of their roster from last season. Notable names, including Juke Harris and Myles Colvin, transferred out, while Isaac Carr is the only key returnee. They also added key pieces like Kevair Kennedy, Xander Pintelon, Justin Ray, and Jamari McDowell in the transfer portal. Wake Forest also brought in twin brothers, Gavin and Gallagher Placide, who will have major roles as freshmen. Here are some trends for Wake Forest:
Kennedy, Gavin Placide, and Ray led the rotation in Wake Forest’s first game. The same was true in their exhibition games. Starter Xander Pintelon took on the biggest on-court role, with Gallagher Placide and McDowell off the bench.
The Demon Deacons dominated Maryland ES at the rim, shooting nearly 70% from two-point range. They struggled from deep and at the line, though. Their defense also dominated at the rim but struggled to guard beyond the arc.
The Commodores lost plenty of their rotation from last season, but they brought back star point guard Tyler Tanner and Chandler Bing. They also brought in other high-level transfers, including Ace Glass, Sebastian Williams-Adams, Berke Buyuktencel, Bangot Dak, and TO Barrett. Ant Brown and Jayden Leverett are also expected to play solid roles as young players. Here are some trends for Vanderbilt:
Vanderbilt blew out Bellarmine in their first game, leaving their rotation fairly spread out. Tanner and Glass led the offense, as expected. Brown could run the offense more than expected, while Williams-Adams dominated on the glass.
The Commodores looked good in most facets of the game, although they were loose with the ball. Bellarmine created 14 turnovers, although Tanner ended the game without any. This feels less like a true concern for this team and more like the result of several players handling the ball in an easy matchup. It’s worth monitoring, though.
Vanderbilt Over 86.5 points is my favorite prediction for Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt.
The Demon Deacons and Commodores both pushed the pace in their first game of the season. Both teams pushed the pace offensively in 2025-26, suggesting that will continue this season.
Tyler Tanner was one of the country’s best offensive players last season. He averaged 19.5 points and 5.1 assists in 33.1 minutes per game. He can score from anywhere on the floor, and his ability to lead the offense will be key to Vanderbilt’s success.
Vanderbilt is extremely deep this season, with several high-end backups in both the backcourt and frontcourt. If one player struggles, they have enough depth to rely on other options and should be less vulnerable to foul trouble.
Best Bet: Vanderbilt Over 86.5 points (-120 @ DraftKings Sportsbook)
Here are a few more Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt betting angles to consider:
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