Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Pepperdine Waves Prediction, 12/28/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Pepperdine Waves

Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025

Location: Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, CA

TV: ESPN+

The Pepperdine Waves (5-8) will take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs (12-1) at Firestone Fieldhouse on Sunday.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs faced off with Oregon and walked away with a win by a score of 91-82 in their last game. Gonzaga ended the contest having earned a 46.8% FG percentage (29 out of 62) and buried 10 out of their 23 shots from 3-point land. At the free throw line, the Bulldogs made 23 of 28 shots for a rate of 82.1%. Concerning pulling down rebounds, they compiled a total of 29 with 10 of them being offensive. They also dished out 20 assists in the game while forcing the other team into 10 turnovers and earning 6 steals. When it comes to defense, Gonzaga allowed their opponent to shoot 48.3% from the field on 29 of 60 shooting. Oregon totaled 20 dimes and had 3 steals in this contest. Moreover, Oregon had 27 rebounds (5 offensive, 22 defensive), but couldn't earn a rejection. Oregon finished 100.0% at the free throw line by making 13 of 13 tries. They also made 11 out of their 32 attempts from long range. In reference to personal fouls, the Bulldogs walked away with 14 and Oregon finished the game with 18 personal fouls.

Braeden Smith is one player who had an impact in this matchup. He ended up finishing with 21 points on 7 out of 10 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 27 minutes played and pulled down 3 boards. He ended up shooting 70.0% from the floor and earned 7 assists.

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Gonzaga enters this game with a win-loss record of 12-1 this year. They cough up possession 10.2 times per game and as a group are committing 18.5 fouls per contest. As a unit, Gonzaga is grabbing 43.3 rebounds per contest and is sitting with 260 dimes for the campaign, which ranks 5th in the country in terms of passing the rock. The Bulldogs are connecting on 36.8% from downtown (99 of 269) and 71.9% from the charity stripe. They currently have an average of 92.3 points per game (13th in Division 1) while hitting 52.1% from the field.

On the defensive end, the Bulldogs are able to force 15.2 turnovers per contest and they draw 18.6 personal fouls. They are 138th in college in giving up assists to the opposition with 160 surrendered on the season. The Bulldogs defensively are allowing a shooting percentage of 39.0% (297 of 761) and they relinquish 31.9 rebounds per game as a group. They give up 28.0% on shots from distance and they rank 62nd in college hoops in points per game allowed (67.5).

The last time they took the court, the Pepperdine Waves went home victorious with a score of 84-62 against Rice. The Waves collected 22 defensive rebounds and 10 offensive rebounds for a total of 32 for the game. They turned it over 12 times, while getting 5 steals for the game. Rice committed 16 personal fouls for the contest which took the Waves to the free throw line for a total of 16 attempts. They were able to bury 13 of those for a clip of 81.3%. In relation to 3-pointers, Pepperdine made 13 out of 24 attempts (54.2%). Overall, the Waves finished 29 for 59 from the floor which gave them a percentage of 49.2%. The Waves allowed Rice to knock down 21 out of 63 tries from the field which had them shooting 33.3% in the matchup. They went 25.0% from downtown by shooting 5 of 20 and ended up going 15 out of 22 at the charity stripe (68.2%). With respect to attacking the glass, Pepperdine allowed Rice to grab 32 in total (13 offensive).

Aaron Clark was important for the Waves in this matchup. He accumulated 25 points in his 34 mins on the court and tallied 3 dimes in the game. He knocked down 7 out of 17 in this game for a field goal rate of 41.2%, and had 6 rebounds.

Pepperdine has a record of 5-8 this season. The Waves have committed 15.6 personal fouls per game and they connect on 78.4% from the free throw line. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 14.6 times per game (180th in college) and they are giving up possession 13.2 times per game. Pepperdine has accumulated 968 points this season (74.5 per contest) and they grab 36.1 rebounds per game. In terms of offensive execution, the Waves are connecting on 44.4% from the field, which ranks them 243rd in college.

The Pepperdine defense gives up 33.0% on 3-point shots (110 of 333) and their opposition knocks down 74.0% of their free throw shots. They have allowed 13.8 dimes and 32.6 rebounds every game, which is 216th and 96th in college hoops. The Waves are ranked 195th in Division 1 in points per game surrendered with 73.8. They are forcing 11.6 turnovers on a nightly basis and have allowed teams to shoot 43.5% from the field (183rd in Division 1).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Pepperdine

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