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The Pepperdine Waves head north to the Chiles Center tonight for a West Coast Conference showdown against the Portland Pilots. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET, with the game streaming live on ESPN+. Pepperdine enters this matchup looking to sweep the season series after securing a hard-fought 67-63 win over the Pilots back in January. Both teams are desperate for a win to improve their seeding as the WCC tournament looms, making this a pivotal “trap game” for a Portland side favored by 6.5 points at home.
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Pepperdine vs Portland Odds
The betting markets currently favor the home side, though the line has shown some sensitivity to Pepperdine’s recent offensive surge. You can find the latest college basketball odds for this and other WCC games to track any last-minute movement.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Pepperdine | +238 | +6.5 (-109) | O 151.5 (-110) |
| Portland | -320 | -6.5 (-116) | U 151.5 (-110) |
Pepperdine Betting Form
Pepperdine is coming off a high-water mark for their season: a thrilling 90-89 victory over Loyola Marymount. Aaron Clark was nothing short of spectacular in that contest, exploding for 33 points. The Pepperdine Waves stats and results highlight a team that is finally finding its shooting stroke, hitting 53.4% from the field in their last outing. Styles Phipps continues to be the engine of the offense, providing a steady hand with 11 points and 7 assists.
Health-wise, the Waves are relatively stable, though depth has been an issue throughout the season. According to the Pepperdine Waves injury report, the team remains without significant bench depth, meaning the heavy lifting will once again fall on Clark and Phipps, who both average over 35 minutes per game. Their 75.6% team free-throw percentage is a major asset in late-game situations, especially as a road underdog where every point at the charity stripe is magnified.
Portland Betting Form
Portland returns home looking to bounce back from a 71-58 loss to San Diego. Despite the low scoring output, the Pilots saw efficient individual performances from Dante Censori-Hercules and James O’Donnell, who combined for 24 points on nearly perfect shooting. The Pilots are a vastly different team at the Chiles Center, where they boast an 11-5 record. Their offensive identity relies on elite ball movement, ranking 44th nationally with 17.0 assists per game.
However, the Portland Pilots injury report is a significant concern for bettors. The Pilots are currently missing forward Timo George and guard Riley Parker, both of whom are out for the season. George’s absence, in particular, strips the Pilots of 12.5 points and nearly 5 rebounds per game. This puts immense pressure on freshman standout Joel Foxwell, who leads the team with 15.1 PPG and 6.9 APG. While Foxwell is a frontrunner for WCC Freshman of the Year, he’ll need more consistent support from Cameron Williams (11.6 PPG) to cover a multi-possession spread.
Pepperdine vs Portland Matchup Breakdown
The first meeting on January 14 saw Pepperdine escape with a 67-63 win in Malibu. In that game, Aaron Clark led the way with 18 points, but the real story was Pepperdine’s defense holding Portland to a dismal shooting night. The Pilots struggled to find rhythm without Timo George, a trend that has persisted in their recent losses. Portland ranks last in the WCC in three-pointers made per game (6.1), which makes it difficult for them to pull away from teams or mount quick comebacks.
Pepperdine’s pace is also a factor. The Waves play a more deliberate style (65.3 possessions per game), which often keeps their games close but limits the total score. For Portland to win and cover, they must leverage their home court and force Pepperdine into turnovers to ignite their transition game. If the game becomes a half-court battle, Pepperdine’s superior free-throw shooting and Clark’s ability to create his own shot give the underdogs a distinct advantage.
Pepperdine vs Portland Predictions and Best Bets
While Portland is strong at home, 6.5 points feels like a lot to give a Pepperdine team that just put up 90 points and already owns a win over the Pilots this season. Pepperdine’s ability to stay in games via the free-throw line and Aaron Clark’s current hot streak make them a dangerous underdog. Portland’s injury-thinned roster has struggled with consistency, and their lack of three-point volume makes it hard to justify a nearly 7-point spread.
For the total, 151.5 is quite high for two teams that struggle from beyond the arc and have shown they can play into the 60s against each other. Our model projects a 74-69 finish in favor of Portland, which lands well under the total and provides a comfortable cover for the Waves.
Best Bet: Pepperdine +6.5 (-109).
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NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Navigating the WCC requires a look at more than just the standings. Our experts provide today’s college basketball picks for every game on the board. You can also track the top sports handicappers to see who has the best read on mid-major conference action.
Check the handicapper leaderboard to see who is trending upward before the tournament. If you want a deep dive into betting strategies, you can buy premium NCAAB picks for full breakdowns. Also, keep an eye on the college basketball championship odds as the bubble begins to burst for many teams this week.
