Pepperdine Waves vs Pacific Tigers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25

Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Waves and Tigers. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Tigers at Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton, CA. Get ready to place your bets! Pepperdine is favored by -1.5 in this West Coast conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 147.5 points.

PEPPERDINE WAVES VS PACIFIC TIGERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Pacific Tigers +1.5

This game will be played at Alex G. Spanos Center at 7:00 ET on Saturday, January 4th.

WHY BET THE PACIFIC TIGERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Tigers.
• Not only will Pacific pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +1.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 147.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.

Are the Waves Ready for a Win at Stockton?

The Waves dropped to 5-10 on the season following a 71-41 loss to Saint Mary’s on Thursday. Pepperdine entered the game as +17 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 35-20 at halftime, Pepperdine managed just 21 points in the 2nd half while allowing 36. The game’s total points of 112 fell well short of the 141.5 O/U line.

Pepperdine’s offense struggled in their last game, putting up just 41 points on 31.5% shooting from the field. They connected on only 2 of 16 attempts from beyond the arc, shooting 12.5% from three-point range, and their effective field goal percentage was 33.3%.

At the free-throw line, the Waves hit just 5 of 11 attempts, shooting 45.5%. Luke Barrett and Moe Odum each shot 54.5% from the field, with Barrett adding 8 rebounds, while Mikey Lewis contributed 14 points and 3 assists.

Even with Pepperdine giving up 19 offensive rebounds, they held their opponent to 71 points on 41% shooting. The Waves were solid from beyond the arc, limiting their opponent to just 6 made threes on 29 attempts, a 20% shooting performance.

From the free-throw line, Pepperdine sent their opponent to the stripe 11 times, where they converted 9 attempts, shooting 81%.

Will the Tigers Defense Show Up at Home?

Pacific Tigers Recent Game/Games

Pacific dropped to 3-12 on the season after an 89-81 home loss to San Francisco on Thursday. The Tigers were +13 underdogs going into the game but managed to keep it closer than expected.

Pacific led 35-34 at halftime but allowed 55 points in the 2nd half while scoring 46. The game’s total points reached 170, surpassing the O/U line of 141.5.

Pacific’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their latest game, putting up 81 points while shooting 51.9% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 57.7%, thanks in part to their 59.5% shooting on two-point attempts. From beyond the arc, they connected on 5 of 15 threes, shooting 33.3%, and they were strong at the free-throw line, hitting 81.5% of their attempts (22/27).

Elijah Fisher led the way with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while Malik Thomas added 24 points, hitting 2 threes. Marcus Williams contributed 22 points and 7 assists, knocking down 4 threes at a 50% clip. The Tigers also grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, though they finished with just 5 assists as a team.

Pacific’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 89 points on 51% shooting. They allowed 22 two-point baskets on 37 attempts, a 59% success rate for their opponent.

From beyond the arc, Pacific’s opponent hit 5 of 15 threes, shooting 33%. The Tigers also sent them to the line 27 times, where they made 22 free throws (81%).