The No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (21-2, 10-0 WCC) visit the Pepperdine Waves (7-20, 1-11) Wednesday at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, Calif. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 p.m. ET (on ESPN2). Below, we look at the Gonzaga vs. Pepperdine odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The top-ranked Zags are showing no signs of slowing down, posting 14 consecutive victories since a Dec. 4 setback to Alabama on a neutral floor. That run includes a 16-point win over St. Mary’s last time out, easily Gonzaga’s closest competition in the WCC.
The Waves are holding up the rear in the WCC, winners of just one conference game in 12 tries. Pepperdine did give BYU all it could handle last time out in a 91-85 near-miss, and the Waves have covered two of the past three.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Gonzaga at Pepperdine odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Gonzaga -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100) | Pepperdine +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500)
- Against the spread: Gonzaga -29.5 (-108) | Pepperdine +29.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 162.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Gonzaga at Pepperdine odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Gonzaga 98, Pepperdine 71
Money line
There is no reason to bet a favorite of more than -200 or so, let alone a ridiculous line like Gonzaga (-10000).
PASS.
Against the spread
Play PEPPERDINE +29.5 (-112) as the heavy home underdog. The Waves have been playing much better basketball lately, going 2-1 ATS, including a straight-up victory against Pacific, Feb. 5, as a 2.5-point favorite.
The Waves do not have a prayer to pull off the upset, but keeping it within 30 is certainly doable, as Gonzaga -29.5 (-108) is a mediocre 6-6 ATS as a favorite of 28 or more points this season.
Over/Under
The OVER 162.5 (-115) is the best play on the board here. Gonzaga dropped 117 on Pepperdine in the first meeting in Spokane, Wash., Jan. 8, as that game saw a total of 200 combined points with a line of 156. We shouldn’t see Gonzaga get quite as prolific, but you can never rule it out, either. This team is capable of triple digits any time out, especially against the dregs of the WCC.
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