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Game Preview Pepperdine @ UCLA
The Pepperdine Waves visit the UCLA Bruins on Friday night at Pauley Pavilion, where the Bruins look to tighten their defense after an uneven opener. The matchup also carries a nostalgic twist — Pepperdine’s coaching staff is full of UCLA lineage, with head coach Ed Schilling and assistant Tyus Edney both former Bruins assistants or players.
Schilling’s Waves are in their second year under his leadership, coming off an 88–80 victory over Life Pacific in their opener. Pepperdine showcased depth and balance, as nine players logged double-digit minutes and three reserves — Aaron Clark, Pavle Stosic, and David Mager — each scored in double figures.
For UCLA, the season began with an 80–74 win over Eastern Washington that revealed both potential and vulnerability. Transfers Donovan Dent (New Mexico) and Xavier Booker (Michigan State) combined for 35 points and 16 rebounds, while returning standouts Tyler Bilodeau and Skyy Clark added 29. Still, head coach Mick Cronin criticized his team’s defensive effort after allowing 38 points in the paint and 75.9 percent shooting on two-point attempts.
Pepperdine has not beaten UCLA since 2001, a drought spanning nearly a quarter century. The Waves’ up-tempo offense will test whether the Bruins can rediscover their trademark defensive discipline.
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Odds and Key Information
UCLA is a 27.5-point favorite at home, with a total set around 152.5. The Bruins’ defensive adjustments — or lack thereof — could determine whether this matchup stays close or turns into another blowout at Pauley Pavilion.
| Key Betting Line | Value |
|---|---|
| Spread | UCLA -27.5 (-113) |
| Moneyline | UCLA -10000 / Pepperdine +3300 |
| Total | 152.5 O/U |
| Venue | Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA |
| Time | 10:30 PM ET (BTN) |
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UCLA Outlook
The Bruins are deep, talented, and loaded with upside — but Cronin’s postgame comments after the opener underscored the team’s growing pains. Donovan Dent’s 21 points and nine assists made him an instant playmaking leader, and Xavier Booker’s inside presence provided balance to a frontcourt that struggled with rebounding late last season.
UCLA averaged 80 points per game in its first outing, shot 47 percent from the field, and hit key free throws down the stretch. However, defensive communication and rim protection remain early concerns. If the Bruins can reestablish the intensity that defined Cronin’s previous teams, they should dominate both ends of the court.
Their home-court advantage at Pauley Pavilion remains significant: the Bruins are 19–2 straight up in their last 21 home games and 6–2 ATS against nonconference opponents.
Pepperdine Outlook
The Waves arrive in Los Angeles with confidence but tempered expectations. Their offense looked fluid in the opener, shooting 53.2 percent from the floor and dishing 18 assists. While that came against NAIA opposition, it was an encouraging debut for a program that continues to rebuild under Schilling.
Pepperdine’s perimeter shooting could be its best chance to hang around. The team averaged 10 made threes per game last season and carries multiple stretch options in Pavle Stosic and Aaron Clark. Ball movement and tempo will be key to preventing UCLA’s half-court defense from dictating pace.
Defensively, however, Pepperdine’s size mismatch against Bilodeau and Booker is concerning. The Waves will need to protect the paint and limit transition points to stay within the spread.
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Key Matchup Table
| Statistical Category | Edge |
|---|---|
| Field Goal % | Pepperdine (53.2%) |
| Three-Point Shooting | Pepperdine (10 threes/game) |
| Rebounding Margin | UCLA (+9 vs EWU) |
| Turnovers Forced | UCLA (11 per game) |
| Bench Production | Even |
Pepperdine’s shooting versus UCLA’s size creates the central contrast — one team leans on spacing, the other on power and athleticism.
Betting Trends
UCLA is 7–3 ATS in its last 10 games as a home favorite and 5–1 straight up in season-opening homestands under Cronin. The under has hit in five of their last seven nonconference games at Pauley Pavilion.
Pepperdine is 3–6 ATS in its last nine road games and 1–5 ATS in its last six against ranked opponents. However, the Waves have covered in three of their last four when scoring 80 or more points.
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Prediction
Pepperdine’s UCLA-heavy coaching staff adds storyline flair, but the matchup heavily favors the Bruins. Expect UCLA’s defense to respond after Cronin’s public critique, tightening rotations and owning the glass. Offensively, Dent’s playmaking should once again unlock transition chances and inside scoring.
Projected Score: UCLA 88, Pepperdine 63
Spread Pick: Pepperdine +27.5
Total Lean: Under 152.5
Pepperdine’s ability to shoot from deep could keep the deficit reasonable, but UCLA’s defense and home dominance should lead to a comfortable win without necessarily clearing the large total.
Why You Need Expert Picks
Large spreads like this one demand nuanced market reads — from first-half value to team totals. The Handicappers Leaderboard highlights verified college basketball experts who model tempo and efficiency splits across nonconference play.
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