Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Pittsburgh Panthers Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Pitt Looks to Extend Win Streak Against Slumping Wake Forest

Pitt enters Saturday’s matchup against Wake Forest with momentum on its side, having won two straight games following a rough stretch in ACC play. Meanwhile, the Demon Deacons are hoping to bounce back at home after dropping consecutive games.

Pitt’s Turnaround Fueled by Defense

The Panthers (14-6, 5-4 ACC) responded to a four-game losing streak with back-to-back wins, defeating Syracuse 77-73 last Saturday and taking down North Carolina 73-65 on Tuesday. Their late-game execution against the Tar Heels—outscoring them 14-2 over the final five minutes—highlighted their ability to lock in defensively when it matters most.

Head coach Jeff Capel emphasized that Pitt’s defense has been the key to their resurgence.

“I thought we were a really good team before the four-game skid,” Capel said. “We had two weeks where we did not play well. Hopefully these last two games get us going back to being the team that we were prior to that.”

Offensively, Pitt’s backcourt has been dynamic. Jaland Lowe has been on fire, averaging 20.2 points over the past five games, while Ishmael Leggett has continued to provide steady scoring. Leggett had success against Wake Forest last season, averaging 22.3 points in their three meetings.

Wake Forest Looking to Regroup

The Demon Deacons (15-6, 7-3 ACC) were one of the hottest teams in the conference before suffering back-to-back losses, including a 72-59 setback to Louisville on Tuesday. Now they return home, where they are historically dominant against Pitt, owning a 6-0 record against the Panthers at LJVM Coliseum.

Despite the recent losses, head coach Steve Forbes is keeping his team focused.

“We’ve just got to regroup. We’re just halfway through the conference (season),” Forbes said. “I know it’s a tough loss, but we are 7-3, and we’ve got 10 more (games) to go.”

Hunter Sallis has been Wake Forest’s offensive leader, averaging 18.6 points per game, but he has cooled off in his last three outings, averaging just 13.0 points after a torrid seven-game stretch in which he scored 24.6 points per game.

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The Demon Deacons also rely on Cameron Hildreth, who is averaging 13.1 points per game and provides additional scoring depth.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Pitt’s Backcourt vs. Wake’s Defense
   • Lowe and Leggett have been a dangerous duo, and Wake will need to contain them to prevent Pitt from dictating the game’s tempo.
2. Hunter Sallis’ Scoring Efficiency
   • If Sallis can regain his offensive rhythm, Wake Forest will have a much better chance of protecting its home court.
3. Pitt’s Defensive Intensity
   • The Panthers have made defense their identity in recent games. If they can replicate their performance against North Carolina, they’ll have a strong chance to win on the road.

What to Expect

Pitt is trending in the right direction, but Wake Forest has historically had their number at home. The Demon Deacons will be desperate to avoid a three-game losing streak, while the Panthers will look to continue their resurgence and prove they are a legitimate contender in the ACC.

Can Pitt extend its winning streak, or will Wake Forest protect its home court once again? The answer awaits in Winston-Salem.