Loyola Marymount at Pepperdine 2/25/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The Loyola Marymount Lions will look to bounce back when they go on the road to Firestone Fieldhouse to take on the Pepperdine Waves. Loyola Marymount had a four-game winning streak snapped when they were beaten 88-71 at home by BYU dropping the Lions to 11-7 (6-4 conference). Pepperdine has dropped back to back road-games, following a loss to Santa Clara with a 66-61 loss to St. Mary’s dropping to 10-10 (6-5 conference).

Loyola Marymount comes in struggling on the offensive end averaging 70.1 points per game and coming in 214th nationally in scoring offense. The Lions have been efficient enough, especially in conference play shooting 46.5% from the field and 37.9% from beyond the arc, leading the WCC in three-point shooting in conference play.

None of it would be possible without senior forward Eli Scott, the former Chino Hills phenom has continued to improve every year for the Lions and in his final season leads the team with 17.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The lengthy sophomore Dameane Douglas has made solid contributions after redshirting last season, averaging 13.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. 

Pepperdine loves to push the tempo,49th in adjusted tempo, and especially so on the offensive end where they’re 19th in average possession length. It hasn’t necessarily been efficient but the Waves are 83rd in the country in scoring offense averaging 75.5 points per game ranking 83rd in the country in scoring offense. 

The two-man game of senior guard Colbey Ross and junior forward Kessler Edwards have combined to score 44% of the points for Pepperdine this season. The senior Ross leads the way in scoring with 17.2 points on 44.5% shooting and is dishing out a conference-best 7.5 assists per game. Edwards has been the beneficiary scoring 16.7 points and pulling down a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game.

Loyola-Marymount’s strength has been undoubtedly been their defense this season, they’re allowing 67.7 points per game ranking 103rd in scoring defense. The Lions are holding opponents to 45.2% from the field and 31.1% from three, 6th and 3rd in the WCC this season. They’ve limited second-chance opportunities giving up just under 7 offensive rebounds per game, the 3rd least nationally.

Pepperdine is allowing 73.7 points per game ranking 261st in the country in scoring defense but have done an excellent job defending the perimeter with opponents shooting 27.5% from beyond the arc, the 5th best nationally. Pepperdine is 127th in KenPom adjusted defense.