Pepperdine vs Gonzaga Prediction 1/21/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Pepperdine Waves will meet on Wednesday night in a WCC matchup at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington.

Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Gonzaga Bulldogs enter Wednesday evening’s contest with a 19–1 win-loss record, including a rather impressive 7-0 mark in conference play and a 9-0 record at home. The Bulldogs have compiled wins over Alabama, Maryland, Arizona State, Creighton and the Oklahoma Sooners, while losing to the Michigan Wolverines. Earlier this season, in the Gonzaga Bulldogs dominant 100-61 victory over the Maryland Terrapins, Gonzaga forward Braden Huff amassed 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists illustrating his ability to lead the Bulldogs frontcourt.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs average 90.2 points (9th in country) on 52.2 percent shooting from the field (1st in nation) and 36.8 percent shooting from three-point range per game. Shifting our focus to the defensive side of the basketball, the Bulldogs are allowing opponents 66.9 points per game which ranks 24th in the country.

Junior forward Braden Huff has been a key contributor for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in 2025 averaging 17.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 blocks per game. Senior forward Graham Ike is averaging 18.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest. Senior guard Tyon Grant‑Foster provides the Bulldogs further backcourt versatility averaging 11.3 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.2 blocks per game.

Pepperdine Waves Betting Preview

The Pepperdine Waves enter Wednesday’s contest with a 6–14 record, including a 1–6 mark in conference play and a 1–6 record on the road. Pepperdine has amassed wins over Portland, Rice and Bakersfield, while dropping recent games to San Francisco, San Diego, Pacific, St. Mary’s and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. More recently, in the Pepperdine Waves 67–63 victory over Portland six days ago, Pepperdine guard Aaron Clark accumulated 18 points (6 of 14 shooting from the field), 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.

The Pepperdine Waves are averaging 66.1 points on 40.2 percent shooting from the field and 28.4 percent shooting from three‑point range per game. Defensively, the Waves are allowing opponents 75.2 points per contest.

Sophomore guard Styles Phipps leads the Pepperdine Waves averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Senior guard Javon Cooley adds 12.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal per contest.

Why the Gonzaga Bulldogs will win

• Quality frontcourt play. Junior forward Braden Huff averages 17.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

• Explosive offense. Through 20 games played in 2025, the Gonzaga Bulldogs average 90.2 points (9th in the country) on 52.2 percent shooting from the field (1st in nation) per game.

• Elite defense. The Bulldogs are allowing opponents 66.9 points per game which ranks 24th in the country.

• Home court dominance. The Bulldogs are 9–0 at home this season.

Why the Pepperdine Waves will win

• Guard play. Sophomore guard Styles Phipps leads the Pepperdine Waves backcourt averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

• Enhanced motivation from the first meeting. Pepperdine lost 96–56 in the first matchup earlier this season and will look to avenge that defeat.

Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Pepperdine Waves Prediction

This matchup features Gonzaga’s elite offensive efficiency, quality defense and home court edge against a Pepperdine team that has struggled on both sides of the floor all season. The Pepperdine Waves quality guard play gives them a path to stay competitive in the first half, but Gonzaga’s scoring balance, rebounding edge and superior shooting present a difficult matchup for a Waves team that has been outmatched in nearly every conference game played in 2025. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the Gonzaga Bulldogs pull away in the second half and win this game rather easily.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Gonzaga -28.5