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.