Pepperdine Waves vs Gonzaga Bulldogs Picks and Predictions December 30th 2024

No. 14 Gonzaga Opens WCC Play Against Pepperdine, Seeking Strong Finish

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are set to begin West Coast Conference (WCC) play on Monday night against the Pepperdine Waves in Malibu, Calif., after a nonconference slate filled with marquee matchups and close-call frustrations.

Gonzaga’s Close Game Woes

The Bulldogs (9-4) faced one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the nation, posting impressive wins over ranked opponents like Baylor (101-63) and Indiana (89-73). However, their inability to close out tight games led to losses against formidable teams, including Kentucky (90-89 in OT), UConn (77-71), and most recently, a 65-62 heartbreaker against No. 22 UCLA.

“We’ve been in a bunch of close games that we felt like we should have won,” said Gonzaga point guard Ryan Nembhard. “We’ve got to close out these games and learn to win them.”

Against UCLA, Gonzaga rallied from an 11-point deficit to take a late lead, only to falter in the closing moments. Graham Ike led the team with 24 points, but the ejection of Khalif Battle for a Flagrant-2 foul in the first half further complicated the Bulldogs’ effort.

Coach Mark Few remains optimistic despite the challenges:

“We’re playing a great schedule and great teams,” Few said. “You’re in position to win, and you hope to make a play, a shot, or get a stop at the end.”

Key Players for Gonzaga

• Graham Ike: The Bulldogs’ top scorer, averaging 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
• Ryan Nembhard: Averaging 12.1 points and leading the NCAA with 10.0 assists per game.
• Khalif Battle: A key contributor with 11.8 points per game, whose return will be critical.

Pepperdine’s Perspective

The Waves (6-8, 0-1 WCC) enter the game coming off a 91-80 loss to Santa Clara in their WCC opener. Despite their record, Pepperdine has shown potential under first-year coach Ed Schilling, who brings a wealth of experience from programs like UCLA and Indiana.

Pepperdine boasts a balanced attack led by Stefan Todorovic, who tops the WCC in scoring with 19.7 points per game. The Waves’ dynamic offense also features contributions from:

• Dovydas Butka: Averaging 16 points and eight rebounds in the loss to Santa Clara.
• Moe Odum: Third in the NCAA with 105 assists this season, demonstrating his playmaking ability.

“The system Coach Schilling puts us in opens the court for everybody,” Todorovic said. “We can be a threat at all positions on the floor.”

Matchup History

Gonzaga’s dominance over Pepperdine is historic, with the Bulldogs winning 47 consecutive games against the Waves, a streak dating back to 2002. It’s the longest active win streak against a single opponent in NCAA Division I basketball and the third-longest in history.

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Game Outlook

Key Matchups

• Ryan Nembhard vs. Moe Odum: The nation’s top two assist leaders will face off, each playing pivotal roles in their respective offenses.
• Graham Ike vs. Stefan Todorovic: A battle of two potent scorers, with Ike’s interior presence countering Todorovic’s versatile offensive game.

Keys to Victory for Gonzaga

Rebounding Edge: Maintain dominance on the boards to limit second-chance opportunities.

Defensive Discipline: Avoid unnecessary fouls and manage Pepperdine’s balanced scoring attack.

Close-Game Execution: Focus on late-game decision-making to turn tight contests into wins.