Gonzaga at Pepperdine odds, picks and predictions
The Gonzaga Bulldogs (11-5, 2-1 WCC) and Pepperdine Waves (9-10, 2-2) meet Thursday at the Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, Calif. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Gonzaga vs. Pepperdine odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Bulldogs were tripped up 77-76 at Santa Clara last Thursday in the team's most recent game, causing the Zags to tumble out of the rankings. Gonzaga is a very ordinary 4-4 straight up (SU) and 2-6 against the spread (ATS) across the past 8 games, while the Under has a slight 5-3 advantage in the span.
Gonzaga pounded Pepperdine in Spokane by an 86-60 score to cover a 20.5-point spread on Jan. 4 in the first meeting as the Under (157) cashed, one of the better performances lately for the Zags. Still, the Waves hold a 5-4 ATS edge in the past 9 in the series, including a 3-1 ATS mark in the past 4 in Malibu.
The Waves crashed out in that game in Eastern Washington, but it has rebounded with a pair of wins over Pacific at home, and San Diego on the road, covering both games. The Over is on a 3-0 run for Pepperdine, too.
- Rankings courtesy of the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Gonzaga at Pepperdine odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:58 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Gonzaga -720 (bet $720 to win $100) | Pepperdine +500 (bet $100 to win $500)
- Against the spread (ATS): Gonzaga -11.5 (-110) | Pepperdine +11.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 156.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Gonzaga at Pepperdine picks and predictions
Prediction
Gonzaga 84, Pepperdine 67
Moneyline
Gonzaga (-720) is definitely underperforming lately, but don't tell that to Pepperdine (+500). The Waves were "pepper-done" in the first meeting in Spokane, falling by 26 points, as it seemed like old times as far as they were concerned.
Anyway, there is never a reason to bet such a heavy favorite, especially on the road, and especially when the big fave isn't really hitting on all cylinders.
PASS.
Against the spread
GONZAGA -11.5 (-110) has managed just 2 covers in the past 8 games, but Mark Few's bunch certainly looked like the vintage Bulldogs against Pepperdine +11.5 (-110) in the 1st meeting. The Zags throttled the Waves by 26 points, so can Pepperdine really slice that margin all the way to single digits to grab the cover? It seems rather unlikely, even if Gonzaga isn't playing its best.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
UNDER 156.5 (-108) is the way to go in this WCC clash in SoCal.
While the Over has cashed in 3 of the past 4 meetings in Malibu, that's mostly due to Gonzaga pouring in huge offensive totals. This team isn't quite as explosive as the past, although it should still get a convincing win.
Pepperdine managed just 60 points in the 1st meeting, as the teams combined for 148 points on a total of 157, comfortably cashing the Under. We should see the Waves struggle on the offensive end yet again, snapping their 3-game Over run.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from Paste BN Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men's hoops / Women's hoops / High School