### Wake Forest and NC State Set to Clash in ACC Opener After Recent Losses - The Wake Forest Demon Deacons, currently holding a record of 9-4, are preparing to face the NC State Wolfpack, who also share a 9-4 record, in their Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opener on December 31, 2025. This matchup comes on the heels of Wake Forest's recent 98-67 defeat against the Vanderbilt Commodores, where standout player Myles Colvin scored 20 points [https://apnews.com/article/wake-forest-demon-deacons-myles-colvin-north-carolina-state-wolfpack-north-carolina-vanderbilt-commodores-c7a8329379d44edeb9a3467bf0f033ce]. Both teams are looking to establish themselves in the ACC, with Wake Forest and NC State both starting their conference play at 0-0 [https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/wake-forest-vs-nc-state-odds-prediction-2025-mens-college-basketball-picks-from-proven-model]. ### Breakdown of the Upcoming Matchup 1. **Team Records and Context** - Both Wake Forest and NC State enter the game with identical records of 9-4, indicating a competitive matchup [https://abc11.com/post/nc-state-wolfpack-kicks-off-acc-wake-forest-demon-deacons-wednesday/18335864]. 2. **Recent Performance** - Wake Forest is coming off a significant loss to Vanderbilt, while NC State is looking to capitalize on their home advantage in Raleigh [https://godeacs.com/news/2025/12/29/mens-basketball-wake-forest-travels-to-raleigh-to-face-nc-state-in-acc-opener]. 3. **Key Players** - Myles Colvin is highlighted as a key player for Wake Forest, having scored 20 points in the last game, which could be crucial for their performance against NC State [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nc-state-hosts-colvin-wake-094339853.html]. ### Supporting Data and Insights - **Team Statistics:** - Both teams have a record of 9-4, indicating a balanced competition. - Wake Forest's recent loss by 31 points against Vanderbilt raises questions about their defensive capabilities [https://godeacs.com/news/2025/12/31/mens-basketball-wake-forest-drops-acc-opener-to-wolfpack]. - **Player Performance:** - Myles Colvin's scoring ability will be pivotal for Wake Forest, especially after a high-scoring game against Vanderbilt [https://apnews.com/article/wake-forest-demon-deacons-myles-colvin-north-carolina-state-wolfpack-north-carolina-vanderbilt-commodores-c7a8329379d44edeb9a3467bf0f033ce]. ### Conclusion and Expectations for the Game - **Key Takeaways:** 1. Both teams are entering the ACC with a clean slate, making this game critical for establishing momentum. 2. Wake Forest needs to recover from their recent loss and leverage Colvin's scoring to compete effectively. 3. NC State will aim to utilize their home court advantage to secure a win. - **Final Thoughts:** - The matchup between Wake Forest and NC State promises to be an exciting start to the ACC season, with both teams eager to prove themselves after their recent performances. The outcome could set the tone for their conference campaigns moving forward [https://winnersandwhiners.com/free-picks/college-basketball/wake-forest-demon-deacons-at-nc-state-wolfpack-predictions-picks-odds-and-line-movement-for-december-31-2025].