Pepperdine Waves vs Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAAB Betting Pick & Prediction for 1/21

The Pepperdine Waves are set to play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET. The game will take place at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington. This is a West Coast Conference matchup that will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Gonzaga enters the game as the heavy favorite with a spread of -29.5. They hold an impressive record of 19-1 this season, including a perfect 14-0 at home. Meanwhile, Pepperdine has struggled, standing at 6-14 with a 1-6 record in away games. The Waves have a moneyline of +4000, making them the clear underdogs in this matchup.

Pepperdine Waves vs Gonzaga Bulldogs Game Day Info

  • Sport: College Basketball
  • Teams: Pepperdine Waves vs Gonzaga Bulldogs
  • Venue: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane WA
  • Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 9:00 PM ET
  • Betting Odds: Gonzaga Bulldogs Spread: -29.5 (-111), Pepperdine Waves Spread: +29.5 (-110)

Pepperdine Waves Team Preview

The Pepperdine Waves have struggled in their recent games, losing two out of their last three. They suffered a 20-point defeat to both the San Francisco Dons and the San Diego Toreros. However, they managed a narrow 67-63 win against the Portland Pilots, showing some improvement.

Offensively, the Waves have been inconsistent. They average 69.5 points per game, ranking 375th nationally. Their field goal percentage stands at 42.3%, with a lower effective field goal percentage at 48.0%. The team relies on free throws, making 14.6 per game, which is better than their shooting from beyond the arc at 29.3%.

Key players include Styles Phipps, who averages 12.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Aaron Clark also contributes with 12.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Javon Cooley adds 12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds, making him a valuable asset on the court. The Waves will look to these players for leadership in upcoming games.

Gonzaga Bulldogs Team Preview

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are having a strong season with a record of 19-1. They have been unbeatable at home, winning all 14 games. Ranked #8 in the AP poll, the team leads the West Coast Conference.

Offensively, the Bulldogs are impressive, scoring 90.2 points per game. They have a high field goal percentage of 52.2%, ranking them 3rd nationally. Their rebounding is also strong, averaging 43.0 rebounds per game, which is 13th in the country.

Gonzaga’s recent games show consistent performance. They won their last three games by a wide margin, including a 21-point victory against both Seattle and Washington State. Key players like Graham Ike and Jalen Warley have been critical in these wins.

BTB Betting Pick

For the spread pick, Gonzaga is favored by 29.5 points. Given their strong offensive stats, scoring 90.2 points per game and ranking 3rd in field goal percentage, Gonzaga should cover the spread against Pepperdine. Pepperdine’s low scoring and weak defensive stats suggest they will struggle to keep up. The projected score is Gonzaga 94, Pepperdine 64, making Gonzaga -29.5 the pick.

For the over/under pick, the total is set at 147.5 points. Gonzaga’s high scoring average and fast pace suggest a high-scoring game. However, Pepperdine’s low scoring and slow pace might drag the total down. With a projected total score of 158 points, taking the over 147.5 seems a reasonable choice.