Pepperdine vs Cornell Prediction 11/2/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Pepperdine vs Cornell Prediction

In this Pepperdine vs Cornell Prediction, Pepperdine is coming as -1.5 road favorites. Cornell has been the better team last season, as they had the 6th-best offense in the entire country and scored 16.2 points per game more than Pepperdine. They struggled defensively, being one of the worst teams in the country in that area, but Pepperdine was not that much better, as they also ranked on the bottom-50 of the nation in points allowed and were outside the top-300 in shooting percentages both from the field and from beyond the arc. Cornell is projected as #145 for the upcoming College Basketball Season after losing several key players. They will rely on their fast-paced, three-point-oriented offense while developing new players and trying to remain in competitive in the Ivy. Pepperdine is projected as #121 for the upcoming College Basketball Season with a largely overhauled roster and a new head coach. They are looking to improve after a disappointing season and will surely face major challenges, that is why I don’t trust them on the road, where they were terrible last season. The value lies with the home team in this season opener and we can get them at plus money, so take Cornell on the moneyline in this one.

Cornell Big Red Preview

The Cornell Big Red finished last season with a 15-13 overall record and had an 8-6 conference record and were placed 4th in the Ivy. They had a 7-4 home record and an 8-8 road record.

Offensively, they averaged 88.5 points per game (ranking 6th in the nation), while allowing 83.4 points per game defensively (355th). They had a 121.5 offensive rating (ranking 11th) and a 114.6 defensive rating (335th). The Big Red shot with 49.5% from the field (ranking 16th in the nation) and 39.3% from beyond the arc (6th), while grabbing 35.2 rebounds per game (188th in the nation) and averaging 21.3 assists per game (1st). They had 2.8 blocks per game (269th in the nation) and 6.0 steals per game (251st).

Cooper Noard led Cornell in scoring, with an average of 18.2 ppg on 50.0% shooting from the field, adding 3.3 rebounds while shooting 90.3% from the free throw line. Jake Fiegen followed with 17.1 ppg on 54.6% shooting from the field and 5.1 rebounds per game, while Adam Tsang Hinton added 12.5 ppg on 48.3% shooting from the field and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Pepperdine Waves Preview

The Pepperdine Waves finished last season with a 9-23 overall record and had a 4-14 conference record and were placed 12th in the WCC. They had a 7-10 home record and a 2-11 road record.

Offensively, they averaged 72.3 points per game (ranking 270th in the nation), while allowing 79.6 points per game defensively (320th). They had a 103.2 offensive rating (ranking 311th) and a 113.6 defensive rating (327th). The Waves shot with 42.7% from the field (ranking 311th in the nation) and 31.7% from beyond the arc (305th), while grabbing 33.9 rebounds per game (264th in the nation) and averaging 14.1 assists per game (158th). They had 2.8 blocks per game (274th in the nation) and 6.0 steals per game (249th).

Aaron Clark led Pepperdine in scoring, with an average of 15.3 ppg on 42.3% shooting from the field, adding 3.4 rebounds while shooting 76.9% from the free throw line. Styles Phipps followed with 13.4 ppg on 42.1% shooting from the field and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Javon Cooley added 11.4 ppg on 41.1% shooting from the field and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Pepperdine Waves @ Cornell Big Red Betting Trends: November 2, 2026

Why the Cornell Big Red will win

• Cornell has won 15 of its last 16 night games against non-Conference opponents at Newman Arena at Bartels Hall.
• Pepperdine has lost five of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Pepperdine has lost the first half in four of its last five night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Pepperdine Waves will win

• Pepperdine has won each of its last five Monday night games against non-Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Pepperdine’s last six road night games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 159 or fewer points.
• Eight of Cornell’s last nine night games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 168+ points.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Cornell ML