Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Pepperdine Waves NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/30/24
The Bulldogs and Waves are set to face off at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. The Waves will host the game at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, CA. Gonzaga is favored by -21.5 in this West Coast conference contest against Pepperdine. The game’s over/under currently sits at 158.5 points.
GONZAGA BULLDOGS VS PEPPERDINE WAVES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Pepperdine Waves +21.5
This game will be played at Firestone Fieldhouse at 10:00 ET on Monday, December 30th.
WHY BET THE PEPPERDINE WAVES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Waves.
- Not only will Pepperdine pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +21.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 158.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.
Can Gonzaga Lock in a Road Win?
Gonzaga Bulldogs Recent Game/Games
Gonzaga’s season record dropped to 9-4 after a 65-62 loss to UCLA on Saturday. The Bulldogs, who were -4.5 favorites at home, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread.
Trailing 27-25 at halftime, Gonzaga scored 37 points in the 2nd half but allowed 38. The game’s total points of 127 fell well short of the 148.5 O/U line.
Gonzaga managed just 62 points in their last game, shooting 45.5% from the field and 29.2% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 50.9%, with a strong 58.1% shooting inside the arc.
Graham Ike led the way with 24 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 68.8% overall. Eric Dailey Jr. hit 4 of 5 from three, finishing with 18 points, while Ryan Nembhard added 16 points and 8 assists.
Gonzaga’s defense gave up 65 points, with the opposing team shooting 45% from the field, including 58% on two-point attempts. They also allowed 8 offensive rebounds.
From beyond the arc, Gonzaga held their opponent to 29% shooting, as they made 7 of 24 three-point attempts. The opposing team also shot 62% from the free-throw line, hitting 5 of 8.
Is A Home Victory Likely for Underdog Pepperdine?
Pepperdine Waves Recent Game/Games
Pepperdine dropped to 5-8 on the season after a 91-80 road loss to Santa Clara on December 28th. Despite being +15.5 point underdogs, the Waves kept the game closer than expected. The total points for the game reached 171, surpassing the over/under line of 154.5.
Pepperdine trailed 52-43 at halftime and scored 37 points in the 2nd half while allowing 39. Though they covered the spread, the Waves couldn’t close the gap in the 2nd half.
Pepperdine’s offense put up 80 points in their latest game, shooting 44.8% from the field and hitting 34.8% from beyond the arc. They were perfect from the free-throw line, going 12-for-12, and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, with 17 assists as a team.
Stefan Todorovic led the way with 25 points and 4 assists, while Adama-Alpha Bal added 19 points and 8 assists, knocking down 4 threes. Dovydas Butka was efficient, shooting 77.8% from the field and contributing 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Pepperdine’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 91 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 50% from the field. They couldn’t contain the two-point shots, with the other team hitting 55% of their attempts, going 19/34.
From beyond the arc, Pepperdine allowed 15 threes on 33 attempts, a 45% shooting performance. They also sent the other team to the line 11 times, where they made 8 free throws, shooting 72%. Pepperdine gave up 11 offensive rebounds as well.