Pepperdine Game Preview: Waves host Houston Baptist
By James Pigott
Dec 7, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Houston Baptist Huskies guard Rob Lewis (12) moves the ball defended by Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas (11) in the second half at Crisler Arena. Michigan won 107-53. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Pepperdine Waves (6-5) vs. Houston Baptist Huskies (3-8)
Date: Saturday, December 21, 2013
Location: Firestone Fieldhouse, Malibu, CA
Time: 1:00 PM PST
TV: None
Video: WaveCasts/PepperdineSports.com
Head-to-Head: Pepperdine leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Pepperdine won 57-53 in overtime on November 20, 2012 in Malibu, California.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Pepperdine
Jeremy Major, 11.6 PPG, 5.0 APG
Malcolm Brooks, 7.6 PPG
Malte Kramer, 5.7 PPG
Stacy Davis, 15.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG
Brendan Lane, 14.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG
Houston Baptist
Marcel Smith, 5.9 PPG
Tyler Russell, 11.9 PPG
Caleb Crayton, 5.0 PPG
Cody Joyce, 9.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG
Ricmonds Vilde, 6.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG
OVERVIEW
Quick start key for Pepperdine
It is crucial for Pepperdine to get Stacy Davis and Brendan Lane going early, and to keep them out of foul trouble. Early foul trouble has plagued both of them at times this season and they are best when they are able to play off of each other. Jeremy Major needs to keep looking for them after recording only 2 assists against Washington State last Sunday.
Pepperdine’s bench has been relatively nonexistent lately (except for Lamond Murray Jr. occasionally) so it is even more important for the starters to build an early lead before they come out of the game. It would also be nice to see Nikolas Skouen break out of his shooting slump, as he could be the necessary spark off the bench.
Huskies looking for a distributor on offense
Marcel Smith leads Houston Baptist at only 2.2 assists per game. He needs to increase that number and look to find guards Tyler Russell and Rob Lewis, who comes off the bench. While they do not have a traditional post scorer like Pepperdine does, those guards need to play off of each other and look to distribute for perimeter shots.
Houston Baptist is an unusual team, as they will often play a lineup of guards that are 5’6, 6’0, and 6’0. Pepperdine, on the other hand, will have at least a 4 inch height advantage at each of those positions, and should be able to physically outmatch Houston Baptist’s guards.
PREDICTION
Houston Baptist does not have an impressive win this season and they have ridiculous blowouts losses to power conference teams including Michigan and Texas. The Waves will come into this game with motivation after a tough performance at Washington State and look to head into league play on a high note. I predict a 71-59 victory for the Waves.