WCC Power Rankings, January 21st
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
5. Pepperdine
Last Week: 4
Record: 12-8 (5-3)
RPI: 119
KenPom: 126
Place in Conf. Standings: 4
Pepperdine had a chance to make a splash by knocking off first place Gonzaga. Instead, the Waves couldn’t keep up with the Bulldogs and failed to hand the Zags their second loss in as many games.
As of now, the Waves have a nucleus of players that make up the majority of their scoring and rebounding – Jeremy Major, Malcolm Brooks, Brendan Lane and Stacy Davis. However, a player to look out for in the coming games is freshman Lamond Murray Jr. The 6’5” small forward had a breakout game against Portland, scoring 16 points off 6 of 7 shooting and snagging 8 boards in the win. If Murray can emerge as a key contributor off the bench, the Waves could be awfully dangerous.
Last Week: L vs. Gonzaga (53-70), W vs. Portland (76-65)
This Week: @ Saint Mary’s, @ Pacific