UC Irvine vs Pepperdine 11/25/20 - College Basketball Pick & Predictions

The UC Irvine Anteaters visit Viejas Arena in San Diego, California on Wednesday to play the Pepperdine Waves in the opening game of the regular season for both. UC Irvine finished last season 21-11 overall and 13-3 in the Big West Conference finishing the regular season as the champions. Three players that scored an average of double figures are gone, but Collin Welp and Brad Greene are two starters that return amongst the five that are back and forward Welp average to 13.0 points per game last season to lead the team.

Eight freshmen will join the five players returning from last season, but the two key players will be Welp and Greene who will provide experience and solid production on the offensive end in the paint. Austin Johnson, Isaiah Lee and Jeron Artest return to help in scoring but more importantly on the defense. Andre Henry is the top incoming freshman for the Anteaters and will make an immediate impact offensively for UC Irvine. The Anteaters are the favorites to retain the conference title.

Pepperdine was 16-16 overall and 8-8 in the West Coast Conference last year. The Waves lost their second leading scorer Kameron Edwards who averaged 16.2 points per game. Last season the Waves were young, but four starters return with experience and look to battle for the conference title. The top player returning for Pepperdine is senior Colbey Ross, who scored 43 points against St Mary's in a double overtime loss during the West Coast Conference tournament.

Ross scored an average of 20.5 points per game last season. Also returning for the Waves is third leading scorer Kessler Edwards who averaged 13.8 points per game and fourth leading scorer Skylar Chavez who averaged 10.0 points per game. Transfer Kene Chukwuka from Pittsburgh will help the Waves in the paint and two freshmen Majok Deng and Kendall Munson are expected to see time off the bench.