Pepperdine Waves vs Saint Mary’s Gaels NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Waves versus the Gaels? Tip off is at at 10:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, CA. This West Coast conference matchup has an over/under of 142.5 points, and Saint Mary’s is favored to win by -16.5 at home vs. Pepperdine.
PEPPERDINE WAVES VS SAINT MARY’S GAELS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Pepperdine Waves +16.5
This game will be played at University Credit Union Pavilion at 10:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.
WHY BET THE PEPPERDINE WAVES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-71 in favor of the Gaels.
- Even though we have Saint Mary’s winning straight-up, we like Pepperdine at +16.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 142.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.
Can the Waves Pull Off a Road Win?
Pepperdine fell to 5-9 on the season after an 89-82 home loss to Gonzaga on Monday. The Waves were +20.5 point underdogs heading into the game, but they managed to keep things closer than expected.
After trailing 50-32 at halftime, Pepperdine outscored Gonzaga 50-39 in the second half. The game’s total points of 171 went over the pre-game line of 159.5.
Pepperdine’s offense put up 82 points in their last game, shooting 47.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 52.9%. They connected on 59% of their two-point attempts, while hitting just 31% from beyond the arc, going 9-for-29 from three-point range. At the free-throw line, they were nearly perfect, making 9 of 10 attempts.
The Waves dished out 20 assists, with Moe Odum contributing 8 of them to go along with his 24 points. Jaxon Olvera led the team with 27 points, hitting 3 of 8 from deep. Braden Huff was highly efficient, shooting 9-for-10 from the field in just 16 minutes of action.
Pepperdine’s defense struggled, giving up 89 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 47% from the field. Inside the arc, they were particularly vulnerable, with the other team hitting 59% of their two-point attempts (23/39).
From three-point range, Pepperdine’s defense held the opposition to 31% shooting (9/29). However, they sent them to the free-throw line 10 times, where they converted 9 attempts (90%). Pepperdine also gave up 13 offensive rebounds.
Can Saint Mary’s Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?
Saint Mary’s Gaels Recent Game/Games
Saint Mary’s improved to 10-3 on the season with a 70-60 win over Pacific on Saturday, December 28th. The Gaels, heavy favorites at -21, didn’t cover the spread, and the game’s total points of 130 fell short of the 136.5 O/U line.
Saint Mary’s took control early, leading 34-17 at halftime, but allowed Pacific to score 43 points in the 2nd half while adding 36 of their own.
Saint Mary’s struggled with their shooting in their last game, hitting just 38.2% from the field and 30.4% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.1%, and they shot only 55% from the free-throw line. Despite these struggles, they managed to score 70 points, thanks in part to 22 offensive rebounds and 23 assists.
Luke Barrett and Elias Ralph each scored 20 points, with Barrett adding 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Elijah Fisher was efficient, shooting 70% and contributing 17 points and 8 rebounds. Lamar Washington had 14 points and 7 assists, despite shooting just 29.4% from the field.
Saint Mary’s Gaels held their opponent to just 60 points, forcing them into a 38% shooting performance from the field. The Gaels’ defense was effective inside, allowing 42% shooting on two-point attempts (19/45).
From beyond the arc, Saint Mary’s limited their opponent to 30% shooting, with just 7 made threes on 23 attempts. The Gaels also sent their opponent to the line 20 times, where they converted 11 free throws (55%).