WCC Game Preview: Pepperdine vs. San Diego
By James Pigott
Dec 5, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; University of San Diego guard Christopher Anderson (00) reacts after a turnover during the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Jenny Craig Pavillion. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Pepperdine Waves (7-5) vs. San Diego Toreros (9-4)
Date: Saturday, December 28, 2013
Location: Firestone Fieldhouse, Malibu, CA
Time: 5:00 PM PST
TV: None
Video: WaveCasts/PepperdineSports.com
Last Season: San Diego won all three meetings against Pepperdine. They beat the Waves 62-50 in Malibu, 76-69 in San Diego, and 62-59 at the WCC Tournament in Las Vegas.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Pepperdine
Jeremy Major, 11.4 PPG, 4.7 APG
Malcolm Brooks, 7.7 PPG
Malte Kramer, 5.3 PPG
Stacy Davis, 16.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG
Brendan Lane, 14.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG
San Diego
Christopher Anderson, 11.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.3 APG
Johnny Dee, 17.7 PPG
Duda Sandaze, 12.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG
Jito Kok, 5.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG
Dennis Kramer, 11.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG
KEYS TO THE GAME
Pepperdine
Attack the interior: Stacy Davis is much stronger than the athletic Jito Kok. Kok does have 18 blocks on the season, so if Davis uses pump fakes and remains physical with Kok in the post, he should be able to score all day. Also, Brendan Lane should outmatch Dennis Kramer, who is on the floor mainly for offense. Graduated forward Chris Manresa would have been a better match up on Lane, but it will now be up to Kramer to stop him.
Jeremy Major’s turnovers: Christopher Anderson averages almost two steals per contest and is a pesky defender despite standing at only 5’7. If Anderson starts forcing turnovers, he can combine with Johnny Dee to be one of the best transition backcourts in the conference.
San Diego
Johnny Dee for three: Dee is 5/17 from beyond the arc the past two games. The Toreros will need him to shoot well to have a good chance to win. It will not be easy for him likely being guarded by 6’5 Malcolm Brooks. But if Dee is hitting, the Waves will not be able to play zone, and Duda Sandaze will have the opportunity to score a lot in a mismatch with Pepperdine’s Malte Kramer.
Kramer must match Lane’s production: After going through a major slump last season, Kramer’s offense is back, averaging 11 points per game on 62% from the field. If he is unable to stop Lane (I think he’ll have a tough time), he must have an excellent offensive performance to ensure a Torero victory.
PREDICTION
Based on last year’s records, it may seem like this should be an easy victory for the Toreros. However, with a much improved front line and a promising newcomer backcourt, the Waves should have a better chance of beating the Toreros this year. Nonetheless, San Diego’s 3-year starting backcourt of Dee and Anderson is the most experienced in the league other than Gonzaga’s, and they should carry the Toreros to victory. I predict a 78-72 victory for San Diego.