The Pepperdine Waves (3-15, 0-6 WCC) look to snap their nine-game losing streak when they meet the Pacific Tigers (9-10, 4-2 WCC) at Spanos Center. The game starts at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 18, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 146.5 points with Pacific opening as an 11-point favorite.
Pepperdine Waves at Pacific Tigers Betting Prediction
In the Waves’ last outing, they were blown out by the Saint Mary’s Gaels, 91-67. Saint Mary’s’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Pepperdine. The Gaels had a rate of 26.3 (below their season average of 31.0), while the Waves posted a mark of 13.2 (below their season average of 31.5). Pepperdine’s Colbey Ross put together a solid game, finishing with 16 points and five assists.
The Tigers beat the Portland Pilots in their last game, 66-54. The Tigers had a great turnover percentage of 9.0 (better than their season average of 15.6) and held the Pilots to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.7 (below their season average of 21.7). Roberto Gallinat was the game’s leading scorer with 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Pacific ranks 275th in possessions per game (68.1) and Pepperdine is 255th (68.6).
Pepperdine heads into the game with records of 3-15 straight up (SU) and 5-11-1 against the spread (ATS). Waves games have gone over the O/U total 52.9 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Pacific owns records of 9-10 SU and 9-8-1 ATS. Of the Tigers’ 18 games that accepted bets, 10 have finished over the total.
After the Tigers won two out of three games against the Waves last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Pacific won 89-84. Pacific’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Pepperdine. The Tigers had a rate of 0.283, while the Waves posted a mark of 0.246.
Pepperdine Waves vs. Pacific Tigers ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pacific, ATS Winner – Pepperdine, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Pepperdine is 3-4-1 ATS with 5 unders and 3 overs.
At home, Pacific is 5-4 ATS with 5 overs and 4 unders.
Pacific ranks 22nd in steals allowed per game (5.0) while Pepperdine ranks 101st (6.3).
The Tigers rank 170th in assists allowed per game (14.4) while the Waves rank 243rd (18.8).
Pacific ranks 67th in blocks per game (4.1) while Pepperdine ranks 137th in blocks allowed per game (4.3).
The Waves rank 40th in rebounds allowed per game (31.8) while the Tigers rank 88th (33.5).
Pepperdine ranks 263rd in three pointers attempted per game (16.5) while Pacific ranks 277th (14.2).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Pepperdine is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Pacific is 5-0 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Waves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 19.0, up from 9.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Tigers have scored an average of 70.2 points per game (2.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.2 points per game (5.3 below their season average).
