Stanford Cardinal vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons Picks and Predictions February 5th 2025

Hunter Sallis Looks to Lead Wake Forest to Season Sweep of Stanford in Key ACC Matchup

Stanford has a chance to turn the tables on Wake Forest when the two teams meet Wednesday night in a pivotal ACC showdown. The Cardinal (15-7, 7-4 ACC) aim to defend their unbeaten home record in conference play, while the Demon Deacons (16-6, 8-3 ACC) seek a season sweep.

The last time these teams met, Hunter Sallis stole the spotlight, delivering a dominant 30-point performance in an 80-67 Wake Forest victory. Now, Stanford looks for revenge, hoping for a bigger contribution from Maxime Raynaud, their All-ACC big man.

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Sallis vs. Raynaud: The Key Matchup

In their previous meeting, Sallis played all 40 minutes, shooting 12-of-17 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. His elite efficiency helped Wake Forest control the game.

On the other side, Raynaud recorded a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double but struggled to find his usual dominance inside. Wake Forest forced him into outside shots, limiting him to just one post-up all game.

Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes made their defensive game plan clear after the win:

“The most important thing was the job we did against the big guy. We made him into a 3-point shooter. He only had one post-up the entire game.”

For Stanford to flip the script, Raynaud must assert himself in the paint and avoid settling for perimeter shots.

Stanford’s Strong Home Form

Since their loss at Wake Forest, Stanford has won four of its last five games, proving its resilience. The only setback came on the road against SMU (85-61 loss).

At home, the Cardinal are a perfect 5-0 in ACC play, making their home-court advantage a major factor in this rematch. Three of their last four wins have come in Maples Pavilion, where they’ve shown an ability to control the tempo and limit opponents’ scoring.

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X-Factor: Jaylen Blakes’ Return

A key storyline for Stanford is the potential return of Jaylen Blakes, the team’s second-leading scorer. Blakes missed the SMU game due to a head injury, and his absence was felt.

The Duke transfer recently hit a game-winner against North Carolina, proving he thrives in big moments. His return would add another scoring option alongside Raynaud and Kanaan Carlyle, making Stanford a much tougher opponent.

Blakes emphasized team play when discussing Stanford’s mindset:

“One thing that we talk about is being a team. Not being individuals.”

Wake Forest’s Recent Struggles

Wake Forest enters this matchup after a rough three-game stretch, losing to Duke at home and Louisville on the road before barely escaping with a 76-74 win over Pittsburgh.

In that victory, Cameron Hildreth led the way with 24 points, stepping up as Sallis had an uncharacteristically quiet game (13 points).

Now, the Demon Deacons enter a critical stretch, with four of their next five games on the road, starting with Stanford and California. This matchup serves as a momentum test for a team trying to solidify its position near the top of the ACC standings.

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What to Expect

• Stanford’s Defense on Sallis: The Cardinal must find a way to limit his efficiency, likely by applying more pressure on the perimeter.
• Raynaud’s Adjustments: Look for Stanford to get Raynaud more involved inside, possibly through quicker post-ups and transition play.
• Blakes’ Impact (if available): His scoring ability could shift the balance in Stanford’s favor.
• Wake Forest’s Road Toughness: Can they handle Stanford’s undefeated home-court presence?

Final Thoughts

This game presents a clash of momentum—Stanford’s home dominance versus Wake Forest’s determination to bounce back. If Hunter Sallis delivers another big game, Wake Forest could complete the sweep. But if Stanford adjusts its approach and Blakes returns, the Cardinal could protect their home floor and even the score.

Tip-off: Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA.