It will be a battle between West Coast opponents when the Pepperdine Waves (16-11) welcome the Santa Clara Broncos (10-17) to Firestone Fieldhouse. The game gets underway at 8:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 20.
The Waves lost to San Francisco 82-72 on Thursday. Stacy Davis put in a solid effort despite the loss for Pepperdine, recording 20 points and 12 rebounds to earn his 12th double-double of the season. The Broncos are coming off a 76-72 win over Loyola Marymount on Thursday. Jared Brownridge shot 7 for 18 and led in scoring with 26 points.
Davis has been playing at a high level as of late for the Waves, averaging 19.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.6 three-pointers over the last five games. On the other side, the Broncos have been led by Brownridge. He has been on fire, averaging 23.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.2 three-pointers in the same time frame.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Broncos won the first game 62-60. Jett Raines was a top player in the game with 14 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one block.
The Waves are attempting to build on their records of 16-11 Straight Up (SU) and 13-14 Against The Spread (ATS). Pepperdine has been struggling of late. The Waves have given up an average of 75.9 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 69.4 PPG. The Waves have stifled opponents’ efforts from beyond the arc, allowing a three-point field goal percentage of only .302. Pepperdine has given up very few turnovers with an average of only 11.3 per game.
Across the court, the Broncos head into the game with records of 13-13-1 ATS and 10-17 SU. Most recently, Santa Clara is 7-3 ATS over the last 10 games. Santa Clara has been playing better lately, averaging 73.9 PPG, significantly more than their season average of 67.7. Don’t expect Santa Clara to give away the ball much on offense, where its 11.3 turnovers per game ranks 44th in the country.
Santa Clara beat Pepperdine in their most recent meeting this season, moving its SU record against Pepperdine to 6-4 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. However, with a 7-3 record, Pepperdine has the advantage ATS. Santa Clara topped the Waves in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) once over the last five matchups. Pepperdine has never had the edge in all three categories.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pepper, ATS Winner – Pepper
Notes
Santa Clara scores just 71.2 points per away game (ranked 121st). Pepperdine ranks 86th in points allowed at home, giving up 65.9 points.
The Pepperdine Waves average a field goal percentage of 44.7% this season. The Santa Clara Broncos have an abysmal record of 3-10 when opponents have a FG% of 44.7% or greater.
The Pepperdine Waves rank higher based on their field goal percentage (144th) than their effective field goal percentage (230th). The Santa Clara Broncos rank higher based on their effective field goal percentage (267th) than their field goal percentage (296th).
Pepperdine ranks 65th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.25. Santa Clara is ranked lower at 132nd with an A/TO of 1.12.
Pepperdine has forced an average turnover percentage of 17.2% this season. Santa Clara has a losing 4-7 record when its TO% is 17.2% or higher.
