Grambling State vs Pepperdine Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/7/24

The Grambling Tigers are visiting the Pepperdine Waves on Saturday, December 7th at the Firestone Fieldhouse. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Grambling Tigers vs Pepperdine Waves Prediction.

Pepperdine Waves Preview

The Pepperdine Waves have a 3-6 record this season and are coming off a 119-57 win over Life Pacific. The Waves are 3-5 against the spread, and 3-5 in over/under, while having a 2-1 home record.

Offensively, Pepperdine is averaging 71.2 points per game, which ranks 271st in the nation. Defensively, they allow 72.6 points per game (220th). The Waves shoot 44.8% from the field (197th) and 31.8% from beyond the arc (252nd). The Waves shoot 72.9% from the free-throw line (130th) and are grabbing 37.7 rebounds per game (137th).

Stefan Todorovic leads Pepperdine in scoring this season, with an average of 18.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Moe Odum adds 10.4 points and a team-high 7 assists. Pepperdine will play against Northern Arizona, Long Beach State, UC Davis, and Santa Clara following this one.

Grambling Tigers Preview

The Grambling Tigers have a 2-5 record this season and are coming off an 82-56 win over Arkansas Baptist. The Tigers are 5-0 against the spread, and 2-3 in over/under, while they have a 0-5 road record. 

Offensively, Grambling is averaging 72.3 points per game, which ranks 257th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 70.3 points per game (160th). The Tigers shoot 46.6% from the field (118th) and 41% from beyond the arc, which is the 9th-best in the nation. The Tigers shoot 67% from the free-throw line (280th) and are grabbing 37.1 rebounds per game (167th).

Antwan Burnett leads Grambling in scoring with an average of 14.3 points and a team-high 6 rebounds, while Kintavious Dozier adds 12.4 points and 5 rebounds.

Why the Pepperdine Waves will win

• Grambling State has lost 18 of its last 19 games against non-conference opponents.
• Pepperdine has won seven of its last eight day games against non-conference opponents at Firestone Fieldhouse.
• Grambling State has lost the first half in 17 of its last 19 games against non-conference opponents.

Why the Grambling State Tigers will win

• Pepperdine has lost six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.
• Grambling State has won 10 of its last 12 day games.
• Grambling State has won the first half in five of its last six day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• Pepperdine ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (79.5%).
• Pepperdine ranks T17th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (1.9).
• Grambling State ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for a three-point percentage this season (41.0%).
• Grambling State ranks 26th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (5.3).

Grambling Tigers vs Pepperdine Waves Prediction

In this Grambling Tigers vs Pepperdine Waves Prediction, Pepperdine is coming as a -2.5 home favorite. Grambling is better both offensively, scoring 1.1 points more than Pepperdine, and defensively, allowing 2.3 points less. The Tigers have better shooting percentages, as they are a top-10 team in 3-point percentage, while the Waves are struggling with their shot, ranking below the nation average both in field goal and in 3-point percentage. Grambling is also a perfect 5-0 against the spread, so the value here lies with the road team. Take the Grambling Tigers and lay the points on the road.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Grambling Tigers +2.5