The Memphis Tigers take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Nassau, Bahamas, as part of the Baha Mar Championship. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Wake Forest is favored by -3 points on the spread with a moneyline of -150. The total is set at 159.5 points.
Here are my Memphis vs. Wake Forest predictions and college basketball picks for November 21, 2025.
Memphis vs Wake Forest Prediction
My Pick: Wake Forest -2.5
My Memphis vs Wake Forest best bet is on the Demon Deacons to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Memphis vs. Wake Forest Odds
| Memphis Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 159.5 -110o / -110u | +125 |
| Wake Forest Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 159.5 -110o / -110u | -150 |
- Memphis vs Wake Forest spread: Wake Forest -3
- Memphis vs Wake Forest over/under: 159.5 points
- Memphis vs Wake Forest moneyline: Memphis +125, Wake Forest -150
Memphis vs Wake Forest College Basketball Betting Preview
It's rare in these early-season college basketball tournaments for both teams playing in the third-place game to feel like they should actually be in the title game, but that's the case in the Bahamas in this one.
Both Memphis and Wake Forest took on top-15 teams in the semifinals of the Baha Mar Championship, and both played really good basketball.
Memphis led No. 1-ranked Purdue with under six minutes to play before the Boilermakers went on a late run down the stretch to secure the victory. It was an encouraging performance for Penny Hardaway's team after a bad loss to UNLV in its prior game.
For Wake Forest, it was a crushing one-point loss to Texas Tech in a game the Demon Deacons led for most of the contest. Steve Forbes' team went toe to toe with the Red Raiders and unfortunately, didn't come away with what would've been a massive resume win.
Memphis was hit hard by graduation and the transfer portal, losing pretty much all of its rotation from last season, so it's understandable for there to be some inconsistencies with this team to begin the year.
Hardaway did bring in some quality pieces from the portal, like Sincere Parker and Dug McDaniel, who both can score it and have played in big games throughout their careers.
Aaron Bradshaw gives the Tigers a rim protector with plenty of size who can really alter shots and grab plenty of offensive rebounds.
It feels like there's a little bit of playmaking that's lacking with the Memphis offense, and a clear go-to scorer in late-game situations hasn't emerged to this point. That showed itself down the stretch against Purdue and will likely emerge again on Friday against a Wake team that can really score it.
Speaking of Wake Forest, Forbes has once again done a nice job acquiring talent via the portal.
Mekhi Mason and Myles Colvin have already made a bunch of big shots for this team in tight games against both Michigan and Texas Tech.
Then there's sophomore Juke Harris, who's really emerged in his second season in Winston-Salem. Harris brings a ton of size and versatility to the floor and can score it in a bunch of different ways.
Wake has always scored it well during Forbes' tenure but defense has regularly held it back from being an NCAA Tournament team. It's early, but this year's group appears to be more equipped on that side of the floor. The Deacs currently rank inside the top 30 in Ken Pom's adjusted defensive efficiency rankings.
When diving into this matchup from a betting perspective, I trust Wake Forest a lot more on a quick turnaround.
There's been too much inconsistency with Memphis, and Wake will likely be chomping at the bit to get back in the win column after a tough one last night.
The Demon Deacons have the more veteran group and are also the better defensive team.
It's a short number, with Wake only favored by 2.5, so I see plenty of value in the Demon Deacons to create margin and get the win and cover in this one.
Go take your bronze medal Deacs!
My Pick: Wake Forest -2.5
