WCC Tournament Team Preview: Pepperdine Waves
By Josh Horton
Jan 16, 2014; Malibu, CA, USA; Pepperdine Waves guard Malcolm Brooks (15) drives past Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Kyle Dranginis (3) in the second half at Firestone Fieldhouse. Gonzaga defeated Pepperdine 70-53. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports
Pepperdine Waves (15-15, 8-10
Seed: 5
RPI: 154
KenPom: 164
Position in West Coast Convo Power Rankings: 6th
After an eighth place finish in the West Coast Conference in 2012-2013, there was not a whole lot of optimism in Malibu for the 2013-2014 season. That pessimism increased in the offseason, when the Waves lost Lorne Jackson and Caleb Willis to graduation, along with Jordan Baker to transfer.
The preseason WCC coaches’ poll came out and the Waves were unsurprisingly elected to finish dead last. However, stellar play from a bevy of newcomers consequently put the Waves in the top five of the WCC standings by the end of the regular season. Fans and pundits alike were shocked by Pepperdine’s success this season.
But why is Pepperdine such a surprising team this season? They returned one of the most productive post players in the conference as a freshman in Stacy Davis, and added a UCLA transfer (Brendan Lane) as well two highly skilled recruits (Jeremy Major and Lamond Murray Jr.) These were all known at the beginning of the season, but did not resonate with WCC fans and experts immediately.
While the Waves have had a remarkable season based on what they were expected to do, their work is not done. The WCC tournament is upon us, and a strong showing in Vegas – which might include a championship and berth into the NCAA tournament – would be a nice “take that” message for the Waves doubters.
Players to Watch
Stacy Davis is the most talented player on this Pepperdine team, and therefore should be watched closely. Davis has recently been coming off the bench for Marty Wilson’s squad, but has been excelling in that role. The sophomore forward has averaged 16.8 points and 7.4 rebounds during that stretch.
Although he has cooled down since conference play began, Malcolm Brooks has shown he can absolutely shoot the lights out. In win or go home situations like this, hot shooting is crucial, and Brooks is someone who can supply it for the Waves.
A reserve that could use Vegas as the stage for his breakthrough performance is freshman Lamond Murray Jr. In limited action this season, he has just oozed potential. If that potential comes into fruition during the tournament, Pepperdine will be a team that not a lot of other teams will want to face.
What to Expect from Pepperdine
Pepperdine has an intriguing opening game against the Saint Mary’s Gaels, a team they have come close against but haven’t had enough in the tank to knock them off. The Waves were swept by Saint Mary’s this season, losing by six points in overtime to the Gaels and Moraga, as well as losing by only two points in Malibu.
On top of that, Pepperdine has struggled in recent weeks. The Waves dropped their closing regular season homestand to Santa Clara and San Francisco, games in which they were punched in the mouth at times. To be fair, Saint Mary’s is fresh off a beat down from Gonzaga and are not coming in with a whole deal of confidence either.
A first round (or second round, whichever way you look at it) victory at Saint Mary’s would likely advance the Waves to play Gonzaga, a team they have struggled against all season. I do not think the Waves have enough overall depth to defeat the Zags, and would likely end their season in the semifinals if they were to make it there. I would cap Pepperdine’s ceiling as the semifinals.