No. 7 Gonzaga vs. Pepperdine Prediction and Picks - December 28, 2025
The No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs (12-1) travel to Malibu this Sunday to open West Coast Conference play against the Pepperdine Waves (5-8). This matchup carries a heavy dose of historical significance: Gonzaga currently holds a staggering 49-game winning streak over the Waves, a run that dates back to January 2002. For Mark Few’s squad, this marks the beginning of their final tour through the WCC before moving to the Pac-12 in 2026. While Gonzaga enters the Firestone Fieldhouse as massive 28.5-point favorites, Pepperdine is looking to play the ultimate spoiler and prevent the Bulldogs from reaching a half-century of consecutive wins in the series.
Gonzaga and Pepperdine are not the only teams playing on Sunday, you can find more with our free college basketball picks.
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Gonzaga Bulldogs: Offensive Juggernaut in Mid-Season Form
The Zags have been nearly untouchable since their lone loss early in the season, most recently dispatching Oregon 91-82. Their offense is a balanced machine, ranking 13th nationally with 92.3 points per game. Junior forward Braden Huff has evolved into one of college basketball’s premier scorers, averaging 19.1 points on an elite 66.7% from the floor. He is flanked by preseason All-American Graham Ike (17.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG), forming a frontcourt duo that few teams in the country can match for 40 minutes.
Beyond the paint, the Bulldogs have found stability in the backcourt with Braeden Smith and Mario Saint-Supéry. Smith is coming off a season-high 21 points against Oregon and provides the veteran playmaking necessary to navigate road environments. Gonzaga’s ability to share the ball (20.0 assists per game) and limit turnovers makes them a nightmare for a Pepperdine defense that has struggled to find its identity under second-year coach Ed Schilling.
Pepperdine Waves: Seeking a Historic Upset
The Waves return home following an 84-62 victory over Rice, where Aaron Clark exploded for a team-high 25 points. Clark leads the Waves with 14.5 points per game and is the primary engine for an offense that averages 74.5 points. However, Pepperdine’s lack of roster continuity has led to a disjointed start to the season, particularly on the defensive end where they surrender 73.8 points per game.
A notable storyline for the Waves is the presence of Pavle Stosic, a 6'9" forward who transferred to Pepperdine after a stint with Gonzaga. Stosic provides inside-out versatility, but the Waves' success will ultimately depend on whether Styles Phipps (12.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG) and Javon Cooley can hit enough three-pointers to keep the Bulldogs from packing the paint. Pepperdine is 2-4 at home this year and will need a career night from its perimeter stars to stay within striking distance of the #7 team in the country.
Expert Picks and Predictions
Gonzaga vs Pepperdine ATS Pick
- Gonzaga -28.5
I am laying the massive number with the Bulldogs. While 28.5 points is a lot to cover on the road, the statistical gap between these two teams is cavernous. Gonzaga leads the nation in several offensive efficiency categories and has won the last ten meetings against Pepperdine by an average of 25+ points. The Waves have struggled mightily against high-major competition this year, and they lack the size to contain both Ike and Huff. I expect Gonzaga to push for 100 points and secure the "50-game streak" milestone with a dominant 30-point victory.
Pepperdine vs Gonzaga Total Pick
- Over 152.5
I am hammering the Over in this contest. Gonzaga’s games have hit the over 10 times this season because their pace is relentless. They average 92 points per game, and Pepperdine plays a relatively fast-paced style that should lead to plenty of possessions. Pepperdine’s defense ranks 241st in the country in defensive rating, which suggests Gonzaga will have little trouble scoring in transition. A final score in the neighborhood of 95-65 or 100-70 is very realistic, easily clearing the 152.5 total.
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