Pepperdine Waves vs Portland Pilots Picks and Predictions for Thursday March 5 2026
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The Pepperdine Waves face the Portland Pilots in the West Coast Conference Tournament First Round on Thursday March 5, 2026 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. At the time of this writing the odds were not released for the moneyline, total, or spread. Be sure to also check out our free college basketball picks for more daily college basketball betting insights.
Waves Trying to Carry Late Season Momentum into the Tournament
The Pepperdine Waves enter the WCC Tournament with a 9-22 overall record and a 4-14 conference record. Pepperdine has played better basketball lately despite their record, recently winning over Washington State 88-79, defeating Portland earlier 95-87, and edging Loyola Marymount 90-89. The Waves also recently lost to Seattle 87-80 and Oregon State 83-73.
Pepperdine averages 72.4 points per game while allowing 79.6 points per contest. The Waves shoot 43% from the field and average 33.6 rebounds per game while distributing 14.0 assists per contest.
One of the more encouraging aspects of Pepperdine’s offense is their ability to share the ball and create scoring opportunities. Their assist numbers show they can move the ball effectively, which helps them stay competitive in games when their shooting gets hot.
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Pilots Hoping to Bounce Back After Tough Stretch
The Portland Pilots come into this matchup with a 13-18 overall record and a 6-12 conference mark. Portland recently picked up a solid win over San Diego 87-74 but has otherwise struggled lately. The Pilots recently lost to Gonzaga 89-48, lost to Seattle 71-59, and lost to Pepperdine 95-87. They also previously lost to San Diego 71-58.
Portland averages 74.6 points per game while allowing 79.1 points per contest. The Pilots shoot 47% from the field and average 33.4 rebounds per game while distributing a strong 16.6 assists per contest.
One of Portland’s biggest strengths is their ball movement. The Pilots generate a high number of assists, which allows them to create open looks and maintain offensive flow throughout the game.
Pepperdine Waves vs Portland Pilots Pick
Waves vs Pilots Pick
- Pick: Portland Pilots Spread
Portland appears to have the edge in this matchup despite their recent struggles. The Pilots shoot the ball more efficiently and move the ball very well offensively. While Pepperdine has shown flashes of scoring ability, their defensive numbers have been a concern all season, allowing nearly 80 points per game.
Waves vs Pilots Total Pick
- Pick: Take the Over
I like the over in this matchup because both teams tend to play in higher-scoring games. Pepperdine allows a lot of points defensively, and Portland’s offense is capable of generating scoring runs when their ball movement is working. With both teams averaging over 72 points per game, this matchup could turn into a fast-paced offensive game.
Final Score Prediction: Portland 84, Pepperdine 78
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