The Pepperdine Waves (8-8, 1-1 WCC) look to end their five-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Santa Clara Broncos (9-7, 1-1 WCC) at Leavey Center. The game is scheduled to start at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 10, 2019.
Pepperdine Waves at Santa Clara Broncos ATS Prediction
The last time the Waves played, they thoroughly outplayed the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros, 100-66. The Waves had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.643 vs. 0.389) and had a much better turnover percentage (11.0 vs. 17.1). Pepperdine rallied around Colbey Ross, who put up 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
The Broncos were beaten by the Prairie View A&M Panthers in their last game, 81-64. Prairie View A&M’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Santa Clara. The Panthers had a rate of 11.7, while the Broncos posted a mark of 22.3. With 11 points and 13 rebounds, Santa Clara’s Josh Martin had a good performance.
After the Broncos won two out of three meetings against the Waves last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent contest, Pepperdine won 85-69. Pepperdine had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.781 vs. 0.468). Santa Clara, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (42.1 vs. 25.0).
Ross has averaged 0 points over the last five games for Pepperdine.
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Santa Clara offense. Santa Clara ranks 280th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.9 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Pepperdine forces the 52nd-most turnovers in the NCAA (22.8 percent).
Pepperdine at Santa Clara Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Santa Clara, ATS Winner – Santa Clara, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Santa Clara ranks 17th in three pointers allowed per game (18.1) while Pepperdine ranks 158th (22.5).
The Broncos average 14.9 assists per game, which ranks 76th in the country. The Waves rank 185th in assists allowed per game (14.8).
Pepperdine ranks 40th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while Santa Clara ranks 114th (6.7).
The Broncos rank 160th in rebounds per game (35.7) while the Waves rank 234th (32.7).
Santa Clara blocks 4.1 opponent shots per game, which is ranked 59th in the nation. Pepperdine ranks 107th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Waves’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.2, up from 4.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Broncos have scored an average of 63.6 points per game (8.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.4 points per game (2.7 above their season average).
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