New Mexico State vs Pepperdine Picks and Prediction – 11/29/2024

The New Mexico State Aggies (3-2) take on the Pepperdine Waves (1-5). The Aggies aim to bounce back from consecutive losses, while the Waves are on a five-game losing streak, struggling on both ends of the court. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

New Mexico State's offense averages 73.8 points per game, led by Christian Cook, who contributes 13.4 points per game on 36.2% shooting. Robert Carpenter provides interior strength with 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. The Aggies have shown promise on the boards, averaging 45.4 rebounds per game, a notable advantage over Pepperdine's 33.8. However, 41% field goal shooting highlights inefficiency in converting scoring opportunities.

Defensively, the Aggies allow 69.6 points per game and tally 6 steals per game. Carpenter also anchors the defense with 1.4 steals, but the team must tighten up perimeter defense, especially against a Pepperdine squad reliant on its leading scorer, Stefan Todorovic. New Mexico State's last two games saw defensive lapses, particularly in a loss to UNLV, where they allowed 72 points.

The Waves, averaging 64.5 points per game, rely heavily on Todorovic's 19.3 points and 48.7% shooting. Guard Moe Odum leads with 6.3 assists per game. Despite the struggles, the Waves' shooting, with a 41.7% field goal percentage, is slightly better than the Aggies. They must focus on minimizing turnovers and creating second-chance opportunities to compensate for a rebounding deficit.

Defensively, Pepperdine concedes 76.3 points per game, struggling to contain opponents. Boubacar Coulibaly leads with 1.8 blocks, but the team lacks cohesion in defending the paint and the perimeter. The Waves have struggled to limit transition opportunities, which could be exploited by an Aggies team that excels on the boards.

New Mexico State's rebounding dominance and balanced scoring make them the favorite in this contest. While Pepperdine has an efficient scorer in Todorovic, a lack of defensive consistency is a glaring weakness. Look for the Aggies to control the pace and dominate inside. Final Score Prediction: New Mexico State wins and covers 75-68.