Pepperdine Waves vs
St. MarysPredictions & Preview

Saint Mary's Gaels Look to Extend Dominance Over Pepperdine Waves in West Coast Conference Matchup

On January 2, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET, the Pepperdine Waves (6-9) will face the Saint Mary's Gaels (11-3) at University Credit Union Pavilion. This West Coast Conference matchup features two teams with differing records this season. Saint Mary's has been dominant in recent meetings with Pepperdine, winning 32 of their last 41 games. They are the favorite in this upcoming game, with the opening line at -15.5 and the current line at St. Mary's -16.5.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Waves +1150 | -2918
• Spread: Waves +16.5 (-110) | -16.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 142.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that St. Marys will win straight-up is 97%.

Pepperdine vs St. Marys Stats

Pepperdine Waves

Pepperdine's basketball team has faced challenges this season, currently ranking at 193rd in the KenPom ratings with a struggling defense at 194th and offense at 200th. They have a strength of schedule rating of 160th and have secured wins over Western Illinois, New Mexico State, Grambling, Northern Arizona, and UC Davis. The team's leading scorer is Stefan Todorovic, averaging 18.5 points per game, with Moe Odom as the second top scorer with 12.9 ppg. Their offensive statistics show they hit 46.17% of field goals, 73.50% of free throws, and 34.63% of three-pointers. Defensively, they allow an average of 42.72% of field goals, 75.19% of free throws, and 31.86% of three-pointers. The team averages 37.40 rebounds per game, 16.93 offensive assists, and 12.13 defensive assists per game. With a power ranking of 51, Pepperdine's performance this season stands at 6-9 (8-6 ATS), showcasing areas for improvement in both offense and defense.

St. Marys Analysis

The Saint Mary's men's basketball team has had a successful season so far, currently ranked 48th in the KenPom ratings. They have impressive offensive and defensive ratings, with notable victories over USC, Akron, Nebraska, and Utah. Their losses to Arizona State, Boise State, and Utah State were close games totaling a 13-point difference. In their most recent game against Pacific, the Gaels secured a 70-60 win, with senior Luke Barrett leading the team with 20 points and Paulius Murauskas grabbing 13 rebounds. Marciulionis leads the team in scoring and assists, followed by Murauska in scoring and rebounds, and Barrett in points and rebounds. It is important to note that although Saint Mary's has a power ranking of 101 and impressive defensive stats, they have struggled offensively and have lost to teams like Pepperdine in recent matchups. To make informed betting decisions, consider the team's offensive and defensive statistics and the performance of their key players.

Saint Mary's Dominance Against Pepperdine Tested as Spread Favors Underdog

Saint Mary's has been successful in their recent matchups against Pepperdine, winning the last four games by a significant margin of at least 24 points. Despite this, I am inclined to support Pepperdine in this upcoming game. Saint Mary's track record against the spread this season stands at 3-10, indicating potential weaknesses in their ability to cover the spread. Conversely, Pepperdine has shown strong performance in their recent games, boasting a 5-1 record against the spread. After a close loss to Gonzaga in their last game, Pepperdine is expected to bounce back and keep this upcoming game within a 13-point margin.

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