Pepperdine Game Preview: Waves host Houston Baptist

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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.