Pepperdine vs Portland Prediction 3/7/25 College Basketball Picks

The Pepperdine Waves and the Portland Pilots meet Friday in West Coast Tournament college basketball action from Orleans Arena. Here’s a Pepperdine vs Portland prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Pepperdine vs Portland pick. We will examine: 

The Pepperdine Waves’ recent form and player performance

The Portland Pilots’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Pepperdine Waves

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Portland Pilots

Recent betting trends in games played between Pepperdine and Portland

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Pepperdine vs Portland game

Pepperdine Waves Betting Preview

The Waves had a good run going back in December, but outside of that, it’s been a rough year in the record column. After a 1-5 opening, Pepperdine beat New Mexico State, Life Pacific, Grambling, Northern Arizona, and UC Davis in the next seven outings. Losses came to Santa Clara, Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, San Francisco, Saint Mary’s again, and Oregon State in the next seven games, then wins over Pacific and San Diego. Since then it’s been a lone win over San Diego among losses to Portland, Washington State, LMU, Gonzaga, Oregon State, LMU again, Portland, and Washington State again. In total over 31 games this year that gives the Waves a 10-21 record in the books. 

In their home rematch versus Washington State last weekend, the Waves were down 48-34 by the break. Pepperdine got better in the second half on a 49-42 run but still took the eventual loss 90-83 in the end. All five of the Waves’ starters finished with double-digit points though, including Zion Bethea with 22 points, three rebounds, and two steals. Moe Odum managed to double up with 14 points, 11 assists, one rebound and one steal in 38 minutes as well. 

Portland Pilots Betting Preview

Over on the Portland side, they’ve had a pretty rough season themselves but things have been slightly better since mid-January. The Pilots kicked things off with a 5-8 run across their first 13 games, then hit a losing streak versus Washington State, Oregon State, Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, and San Francisco. Since then it’s been a 7-6 run for Portland. The wins in that time have come versus Pacific, San Diego, Pepperdine, Oregon State, LMU, Pacific, and Pepperdine again. Otherwise, it’s been losses to Washington State, Gonzaga, LMU, Santa Clara, Saint Mary’s, and San Diego in that time. In total that gives the Pilots a 12-19 record across 31 games overall. 

Matched up against San Diego on the road last weekend, the Pilots held a 44-39 edge going into the second half. Portland was outscored 43-36 the rest of the way, however, and ended up falling 82-80 in a tough result. All five of Portland’s starters hit double-digits, led by Austin Rapp’s double-double on 18 points, 10 boards, and five assists. Bol Dengdit added 18 points with four rebounds, and Vukasin Masic had 15 points with four assists and two rebounds. 

Why the Portland Pilots will win

• Pepperdine has lost eight of its last nine games against the West Coast Conference.

Why the Pepperdine Waves will win

• Portland has lost eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Matchup/League Facts

• Portland ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (10.0).
• Portland ranks 360th among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (17.1).

Pepperdine vs Portland Prediction 

I’m leaning toward Portland. Probably not touching this one, though. The Pilots let a win slip away in their last outing against a struggling San Diego team but still did well offensively. Portland posted 48.4 percent shooting from the field, 10-of-22 (45.5 percent) from outside, and 10-of-11 (90.9 percent) from the line alongside a 37-31 rebounding edge in that one. The 13 turnovers for 13 Toreros points didn’t help, though. 

The good news for Portland is that they’ve won both meetings between these teams this year: 84-64 on the road on February 1, and 87-67 at home on February 27. The Pilots have been scoring great lately with 80 or more points in five of their last six (a 4-2 run). Pepperdine is going to have to get their offense moving quickly in order to keep pace, and I don’t think they’ll stay close enough to win. 

Andrew Jett's Pick: Portland Pilots -1