Pepperdine vs Gonzaga Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 2/18/23

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Pepperdine Waves meet Saturday in college basketball action from Firestone Fieldhouse. Gonzaga is fresh off a Thursday game versus LMU. In that matchup the Bulldogs took a dominant blowout win. As for Pepperdine, they’re sitting at 9-18 overall this year after a loss to San Francisco last weekend. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Gonzaga got off to a 16-4 run over their first 20 games with losses to Texas, Purdue, Baylor and LMU in that time. The Bulldogs hit a 5-1 run in the next six with wins over Pacific, Portland, Santa Clara, San Francisco and BYU. 

In the Thursday matchup versus LMU, the Bulldogs drilled the Lions 68-28 in the first half. Gonzaga hit a 40-37 run the rest of the way and won 108-65. Julian Strawther was the high man on 30 points and three rebounds. 

Pepperdine Waves

Over on the Pepperdine side, they opened up the year at just 7-12 through 19 games. The Waves are just 2-6 in their last eight outings, losing to Saint Mary’s, Portland, San Diego, LMU, Pacific and San Francisco in that stretch. 

Matched up against San Francisco last weekend, the Waves were up 46-39 going into the second half. Pepperdine was outscored 49-34 from there and lost 88-80. Mike Mitchell was the top team scorer on 22 points in 34 minutes. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I might take a stab on Pepperdine in this one. The Waves have just two wins in their last 14 games and they’re struggling mightily in the record column this year. That said, Pepperdine is still scoring pretty well against some tough teams along the way. The Waves have hit 70 or more points in seven straight outings, but they’re also coughing up a truckload of points on the other side. These teams last got together back on New Year’s Eve in a 111-88 home win for Gonzaga. The Waves likely won’t win this one, but I think they can get into a cover if the team plays well.