The Pepperdine Waves (3-11, 0-2 WCC) will attempt to put an end to their five-game losing streak when they go head-to-head with the No. 19 Gonzaga Bulldogs (12-3, 2-0 WCC) at Firestone Fieldhouse. The game can be seen on ESPNU at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 153 points with Gonzaga set as a 20.5-point favorite.
Gonzaga Bulldogs at Pepperdine Waves Betting Prediction
In the Bulldogs’ last game, they dismantled the Santa Clara Broncos, 101-52. The Bulldogs had a superb turnover percentage of 8.5 (better than their season average of 15.7) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 45.5 (above their season average of 35.8). Gonzaga was lifted by Silas Melson, who was the game’s high scorer with 19 points on 7-for-14 shooting.
The Waves lost to the San Diego Toreros in their last matchup, 74-66. Making free throws was one of San Diego’s largest strengths. They were 17-21 (81.0 percent), while the Waves were 13-17 (76.5 percent). With 16 points on 5-for-14 shooting, Colbey Ross led Pepperdine in scoring.
The productive offense of Gonzaga will battle against the porous defense of Pepperdine. The Bulldogs currently rank sixth in offensive efficiency, while the Waves are 339th in defensive efficiency. The Bulldogs should have the advantage on that end of the court.
Gonzaga heads into the game with records of 12-3 straight up (SU) and 7-5 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Bulldogs are involved, as eight of their 12 games have gone over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Pepperdine is 3-11 SU and 5-7-1 ATS. Unlike Gonzaga, just over half of Waves games have finished under the total.
After the Bulldogs won both matchups against the Waves last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, Gonzaga won 96-49. The Bulldogs had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.621 vs. 0.310) and had a much better turnover percentage (10.7 vs. 15.7).
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Pepperdine Waves Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Gonzaga, ATS Winner – Gonzaga, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Gonzaga is 3-3 ATS with 4 overs and 2 unders.
At home, Pepperdine is 2-4 ATS with 4 overs and 2 unders.
Gonzaga ranks 31st in three pointers attempted per game (26.7) while Pepperdine ranks 273rd (16.4).
The Bulldogs average 17.7 assists per game, which ranks 25th in the NCAA. The Waves rank 247th in assists allowed per game (18.1).
Gonzaga ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while Pepperdine ranks 152nd (4.6).
The Bulldogs rank 17th in rebounds per game (41.1) while the Waves rank 130th (36.5).
Gonzaga ranks 53rd in steals per game (7.6) while Pepperdine ranks 103rd in steals allowed per game (6.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Gonzaga is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Pepperdine is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 23.2, up from 18.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Waves have scored an average of 66.2 points per game (7.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 75.0 points per game (4.0 below their season average).
