The Portland Pilots and Pepperdine Waves meet on Friday in college basketball action at Orleans Arena. Here’s a Portland vs Pepperdine prediction. This article will include a Portland vs Pepperdine Pick.
Pepperdine Waves Betting Preview
The Pepperdine Waves (10-21, 13-17 ATS) have been in a disastrous form recently. The Waves lost eight of the previous nine games with the lone win coming against San Diego. After that win, Pepperdine lost to Gonzaga, Oregon State, Loyola Marymount, Portland, and Washington State. The Waves finished the regular season in 9th in the WCC Standings.
Pepperdine averages 72.9 PPG (224th) and allows 76.9 PPG (313th). The Waves are 194th in rebounds (35.5) and 65th in assists (15.8). Stefan Todorovic leads the team with 18.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.0 SPG. Moe Odum follows him with 12.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, a team-high 7.3 APG, and a team-high 1.3 SPG, while Dovydas Butka has 10.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 2.2 APG.
Portland Pilots Betting Preview
The Portland Pilots (12-19, 15-14 ATS) are in better form than Pepperdine after winning five of the past eight games. After defeating Pacific and Pepperdine, Portland lost the final game of the regular season to San Diego on the road. The Pilots ended 8th in the WCC Standings.
Portland is averaging 72.9 PPG (222nd) and is allowing 80.3 PPG (350th). The Pilots are getting 34.0 RPG (290th) and dish out 15.4 APG (82nd). Max Mackinnon is the team’s top scorer with 14.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 3.1 APG. Austin Rapp adds 13.7 PPG, a team-high 6.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, and a team-high 1.5 BPG, while Chris Austin contributes 10.1 PPG and 3.3 RPG.
Why Portland will beat Pepperdine
- Pepperdine has lost each of its last six night games played at neutral venues.
- Portland has won six of its last eight games against Pepperdine.
- Pepperdine has lost the first half in each of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Pepperdine’s last nine night games at a neutral venue has produced a total of 155 or fewer points.
- Four of Portland’s last five night games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Portland ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.80).
- Portland ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (30.0).
Portland vs Pepperdine Prediction
Portland won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including both duels this season. The Pilots were better by 20 points in each win, covering the spread in the process. Although I don’t expect them to get another 20-point victory, I am backing the Pilots to cover this small spread and advance to the next round to meet Oregon State. Pepperdine failed to cover the spread in six of the last seven games, while Portland covered in five of the previous six games.