The No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs (11-3) welcome the Pepperdine Waves (7-7) to the McCarthey Athletic Center Saturday. Tip from Spokane, Wa., is set for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Pepperdine vs. Gonzaga odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Bulldogs beat Eastern Oregon 120-42 Wednesday in a game that did not feature a spread. They are 3-9-1 against the spread (ATS). Gonzaga is 6-0 at home this season. It has just one cover in its last 10 games, a 100-90 win on a neutral court over Alabama as 1-point favorites. The Bulldogs rank second in the nation in field goal percentage (51.9%).
The Waves are 5-7 ATS this season with their most-recent performance being a 76-66 home loss to Iona, failing to cover as 6.5-point underdogs. Pepperdine is 1-2 ATS over its last 3. Its strength this season has been offensive efficiency as well, sitting 92nd in field goal percentage (46.6%) and 41st in 3-point field goal percentage (38%).
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Pepperdine at Gonzaga odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pepperdine +875 (bet $100 to win $875) | Gonzaga -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pepperdine +19.5 (-115) | Gonzaga -19.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 159.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pepperdine at Gonzaga picks and predictions
Prediction
Gonzaga 88, Pepperdine 75
Moneyline
PASS.
Neither option here is worth the value as Gonzaga has struggled compared to its preseason expectations. Nonetheless, it is far better and perfect at home.
Against the spread
LEAN PEPPERDINE +19.5 (-115).
Gonzaga has not been as good as expected, and it has been defensively where it struggles. It allows 71.5 points per game, and while it has played a tough schedule, the Bulldogs gave up 75 to Montana and 90 to Alabama over their last 3 games.
Their defensive issues may make it difficult for them to pull away. They’re 1-5-1 ATS as a double-digit favorite this season. Pepperdine has an efficient offense and should be able to keep pace with Gonzaga for most of the game, especially if the Bulldogs take their foot off the gas late.
Back PEPPERDINE +19.5 (-115).
Over/Under
BET OVER 159.5 (-110).
Simply put, both teams have efficient offenses and porous defenses while also having better season-long trends at hitting the Over. Pepperdine is 7-5 O/U this season while Gonzaga is 8-5 O/U.
Pepperdine also allows 73.8 points per game, good for 305th-best in the nation. It sits outside the top 100 in field goal percentage (41.3%) and opponents’ 3-point field goal percentage (31.9%).
The pace Gonzaga plays with may be a factor as well. It has scored at least 85 in 4 straight games and has hit three digits in 2 of its last 3. Ultimately, back the OVER 159.5 (-110).
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