The Pepperdine Waves (3-6) will be at home in Firestone Fieldhouse when they take on the Long Beach State 49ers (4-7). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 157 points with Pepperdine opening as a 1-point favorite. Action starts at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017.
Long Beach State 49ers at Pepperdine Waves Betting Preview
In the 49ers last outing, they were beaten by the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, 94-89. Gabe Levin had a good performance for Long Beach State, recording 24 points and six rebounds. Southern Utah held the 49ers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 15.6 (below their season average of 29.1). Long Beach State, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of getting and making free throws (21-27; 77.8 percent).
The Waves hope to maintain momentum after defeating the UC Riverside Highlanders in their last matchup, 70-59. Pepperdine rallied around Colbey Ross, who contributed 16 points and seven assists. Pepperdine played a nearly perfect game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.375 (above their season average of 0.299) and a turnover percentage of 6.9 (better than their season average of 16.1). For those same stats, UC Riverside recorded marks of 0.140 and 15.0, respectively.
This game should be a showdown of opposite paces. Long Beach State ranks 62nd in possessions per game (72.8) while Pepperdine is 219th (69.5) since the 2016-17 season.
Games including these teams have typically finished over the O/U total. Long Beach State games have finished over 60.0 percent of the time, while 62.5 percent of Pepperdine games have gone over. Both teams have mediocre straight up (SU) records (4-7 for Long Beach State; 3-6 for Pepperdine), but the 49ers have the edge against the spread (ATS). Long Beach State is 5-5 ATS, while the Waves are 3-5.
The 49ers won the sole game against the Waves last season, 75-66. The 49ers played a perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.8 and an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 40.0. The Waves had marks of 18.4 and 32.4, respectively, for those same stats.
Long Beach State 49ers at Pepperdine Waves Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Long Beach State, ATS Winner – Long Beach State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The 49ers rank 182nd in blocks per game (3.0) while the Waves rank 234th (2.5).
- Long Beach State ranks 202nd in rebounds per game (35.1) while Pepperdine ranks 238th (34.3).
- Pepperdine ranks 124th in steals allowed per game (6.0) while Long Beach State ranks 253rd (7.4).
- The 49ers rank 171st in assists per game (13.4) while the Waves rank 296th in assists allowed per game (17.1).
- Long Beach State ranks 134th in three pointers allowed per game (20.9) while Pepperdine ranks 240th (23.1).
