Pepperdine Waves vs Santa Clara Broncos Picks Picks and Prediction for Friday, January 2, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Pepperdine Waves face the Santa Clara Broncos at Leavey Center on Friday night with a scheduled start time of 10:00 PM ET. Coverage is available on ESPN+. Pepperdine enters this matchup with a 5-10 overall record and a 0-2 mark in WCC play, while Santa Clara sits at 11-4 overall and 2-0 in conference action. Make sure to read this in-depth Pepperdine Waves vs Santa Clara Broncos prediction. Feel the madness! Dive into our NCAAB picks for Pepperdine Waves vs Santa Clara Broncos Picks prediction and seize the victory.
Pepperdine Waves Searching for Stability
The Pepperdine Waves enter this matchup with a 5-10 overall record and a 0-2 WCC record, averaging 71.3 points per game while allowing 75.2 points per game. In the most recent outing, Pepperdine suffered a 72-45 loss against Saint Mary’s. The Waves struggled to generate consistent scoring and were held well below the season average, marking the second straight game with fewer than 60 points. Javon Cooley continues to lead Pepperdine at 13.3 points per game, but the supporting cast has not produced enough to offset defensive breakdowns.
Offensively, Pepperdine is shooting 43 percent from the field and averaging 14.3 assists per game. Styles Phipps anchors multiple categories with 6.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, but Pepperdine has had difficulty scoring against stronger opponents. Defensively, the Waves are allowing 75.2 points per game and have struggled on the glass with 35.1 rebounds per contest. The last five games include losses by margins of 27 points against Gonzaga and 27 points against Saint Mary’s, underscoring the challenge Pepperdine faces against higher-level WCC competition.
Injuries: Pepperdine does not have any players on its injury report
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Santa Clara Broncos Riding Offensive Momentum
The Santa Clara Broncos enter this game with an 11-4 overall record and a 2-0 WCC mark, averaging 81.5 points per game while allowing 70.9 points per game. In the most recent game, Santa Clara earned a 92-85 road win over Portland. The Broncos scored well throughout the game and closed strong late, continuing a stretch of high-scoring performances that includes 102 points against Oregon State two games ago. Christian Hammond led Santa Clara with consistent scoring and remains the team’s leading scorer at 16.5 points per game.
Santa Clara is shooting 46% from the field and averaging 18.5 assists per game, showing strong ball movement and spacing. The Broncos also hold advantages on defense with 4.7 blocks and 8.7 steals per game. Allen Graves leads the team with 6.6 rebounds per game and contributes 1.9 steals, helping Santa Clara apply pressure at both ends. Santa Clara has won four of the last five games, with the only loss coming by two points against Loyola Chicago, and has shown the ability to push tempo while still defending effectively.
Injuries: Santa Clara will play without Chris Tadjo.
Pepperdine Waves vs Santa Clara Broncos Picks Pick
Spread Pick for Pepperdine Waves vs Santa Clara Broncos Picks
Santa Clara Broncos (5 Units)
Santa Clara holds clear advantages on offense, defense, and recent form. The Broncos average over 10 more points per game than Pepperdine while allowing fewer points on the defensive end. Pepperdine has struggled badly against stronger opponents, losing by 40 points to Gonzaga and 27 points to Saint Mary’s in recent games. Santa Clara’s ability to score efficiently and generate assists should stress a Pepperdine defense that has allowed more than 75 points per game. With Santa Clara undefeated in WCC play and Pepperdine still searching for a conference win, the straight-up play favors the home side.
Over/Under Pick for Pepperdine Waves vs Santa Clara Broncos Picks
Over (4 Units)
Santa Clara games have trended toward higher totals due to consistent scoring output, including 92 and 102 points in two of the last three games. The Broncos average 81.5 points per game and face a Pepperdine defense that allows over 75 points per contest. Pepperdine has also allowed large scoring nights against conference opponents, and Santa Clara’s assist rate and field goal percentage support high scoring. Even with Pepperdine’s recent offensive struggles, Santa Clara’s pace and shot-making create a match-up where the total leans toward the over based on recent scoring trends by both teams.
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