#2 Gonzaga hosts Pepperdine on Thursday, Feb. 21, knowing that all they must do is maintain to secure the 1-seed in the West Region. The Zags will go off as a massive, over 20-point favorite. Plus, they’re top favorites in the 2019 March Madness odds, so no wonder the spread is high. Pepperdine has virtually no shot of upsetting Gonzaga. Can they cover the spread, though? Check out our analysis on Pepperdine versus Gonzaga!
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Pepperdine vs Gonzaga NCAAB Betting Odds & Game Preview
The Waves face their biggest test of the season on Thursday when they visit second-ranked Gonzaga. Preview/Notes: https://t.co/2bqebEL447
— Pepperdine M. Hoops (@PeppBasketball) 19 de febrero de 2019
- When: Thursday, Feb. 21 at 9:00 pm ET
- Where: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA
- TV: TBA
- Radio: Pepperdine
- Live Stream: TBA
- ATS Odds: Gonzaga -27.5 (-110)
- Over/Under Total Odds: 156.5
Why Pepperdine Waves are a good bet ATS?
The Waves aren’t a great college basketball team. Heck, with their 12-15 record, they’re not even a good basketball team. They do play hard, though. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to win against the spread because their opponents offer Pepperdine so many points in each and every game.
The Waves have gone a winning 15-10 ATS this season. That alone gives them a shot to cover on Thursday night. Not only are they 15-10 ATS, but they’ve also gone 5-3 ATS in their last 8. They’ll have a chance to keep this close enough to win against the spread.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Points/G: 76.2
- Field Goal %: 44.4
- 3-Point %: 37.6
- Free Throw %: 75
- Rebounds/G: 32.3
- Points/G: 73.9
- Field Goal %: 45.7
- 3-Point %: 33.1
- Free Throw %: 70.7
- Rebounds/G: 32.7
Why #2 Gonzaga Bulldogs a good bet ATS?
Gonzaga’s the much better team in this matchup. It’s not even close. The Zags have won 12-of-15 home games against the spread this season. Not only that, the second-ranked team in the nation hasn’t lost since Dec. 15 when North Carolina beat them 103-90.
That game was on the road. It was also before the Zags got into a groove. Gonzaga should blow out Pepperdine and win and cover just like they’ve done to most of their West Coast Conference opponents.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Points/G: 90.2
- Field Goal %: 52.8
- 3-Point %: 37
- Free Throw %: 76.7
- Rebounds/G: 39.6
- Points/G: 65.2
- Field Goal %: 38.4
- 3-Point %: 29.6
- Free Throw %: 69.2
- Rebounds/G: 29
NCAAB Basketball Betting Trends for Pepperdine vs Gonzaga
- Pepperdine is 10-5 ATS in the last 15 games
- Pepperdine is 1-4 SU in the last 5 games
- The total went UNDER in 4 of Pepperdine’s last 6 games
- Gonzaga is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 games
- Gonzaga is 5-0 SU in the last 5 games
- The total went UNDER in 12 of Gonzaga’s last 16 games
Pepperdine vs Gonzaga Final NCAAB Betting Analysis
Unless Gonzaga suffers some injuries during the game that causes them to play only their reserves, the Bulldogs should easily handle Pepperdine on Thursday. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Zags cover, though.
Gonzaga has been great at covering in home games. But, they only beat Pepperdine 81-67 the last time they faced them. Sounds like a huge beating. It wasn’t. Then again, that game took place more than a year ago.
This Gonzaga team has been unbeatable. Losing to North Carolina in Chapel Hill makes sense because it was an early season matchup. Gonzaga’s been a force at home, covering double-digit spread after double-digit spread. They’ll cover again on Feb. 21 even if they must beat Pepperdine by 25 points or more.
NCAAB Betting Pick: Gonzaga Bulldogs ATS
