Pepperdine vs Saint Mary's Picks and Prediction – 1/3/2025

On Thursday, the Pepperdine Waves (6-9) face off against the Saint Mary’s Gaels (11-3) at the University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, California. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

Saint Mary’s comes into this matchup on a one-game winning streak and has won three of their last five games. In their 70-60 victory against Pacific, Luke Barrett made a significant contribution to the Gaels by scoring 20 points. For this season, Augustas Marciulionis has been the standout player for Saint Mary's, leading the team in scoring with an impressive average of 14.2 points per game. Right behind him is Paulius Murauskas, who is the team's second-highest scorer, averaging 13.4 points per game. Murauskas also plays a crucial role in rebounding, leading the Gaels in that category with an average of 8.9 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Augustas Marciulionis showcases his playmaking skills by leading the team in assists, boasting an average of 6.4 assists per game. In their last five matchups, Saint Mary's has managed to maintain a scoring average of 69.6 points. After securing a win in their opening conference game, the Gaels aim to keep their undefeated streak alive as they prepare to face Pepperdine. Throughout the season, Saint Mary's has been consistently effective offensively, with an overall average of 74.9 points scored per game.

Pepperdine enters this game on a two-game losing streak and has dropped three of their last five games. In a recent match against Gonzaga, the Waves suffered an 89-82 defeat, despite a standout performance from Jaxon Olvera, who racked up 27 points. Currently, Stefan Todorovic is the top scorer for Pepperdine this season, boasting an average of 19.5 points per game. Moe Odum follows as the second-highest scorer on the team, with an average of 12.9 points per game. Dovydas Butka is the leading rebounder for the Waves, grabbing an average of 7.6 rebounds each game this season. Moe Odum also shines in playmaking, leading the team with an impressive 7.5 assists per game. Over their last five matchups, Pepperdine's defense has struggled, allowing opponents to score an average of 76.2 points. With two losses already in their conference games, Pepperdine is eager to secure their first conference victory as they head to Moraga for a game against Saint Mary’s. This season, the Waves have been efficient on offense, averaging 75.7 points per game.

Pepperdine has struggled significantly when playing away from home, which has played a major role in their defeat in all five road games they’ve played this season. In contrast, Saint Mary’s has been a formidable team on their home court, securing victories in eight out of their nine home games, largely owing to their solid offensive performances. It seems Pepperdine hasn’t been adequately prepared for their matchups, which has also been evident in their disappointing 0-2 record in conference play. Final Score Prediction, Saint Mary’s Gaels win 77-63.