Pacific Looks For Sweep of Pepperdine
By Josh Horton
Jan 4, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Pacific Tigers head coach Ron Verlin looks on against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Pacific (12-9, 3-7) at Pepperdine (13-10, 6-5)
Date: Thursday, February 6, 2014
Location: Firestone Fieldhouse, Malibu, Calif.
Time: 7:00 PM PST
TV: TWC SportsNet, ROOT Sports NW & RM, CSN
Video: thew.tv
LiveStats: http://www.pepperdinesports.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbaskbl.html?event=1287525&school=pepp&sport=mbaskbl&camefrom=&startschool=&
Last Matchup: Pacific knocked off the Waves 76-66 in Stockton.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Pacific
Pepperdine
LIVESTREAM (Subject to blackout) *courtesy of thew.tv:
The Pacific Tigers, who are fresh off a victory over San Diego, will look to make a run up the WCC standings after starting the conference season 0-4. However, they have to go through Pepperdine in order to do that, one of the surprise teams in the WCC.
Keys to the Game
Pacific
3-ball: The statistics show that Pacific is more likely to get victories if they shoot the 3-pointer at a high percentage. In 2 out of the 3 wins the Tigers possess in conference play, Pacific shot 50.0 percent or better from downtown.
It is pretty simple for the Tigers: make your shots or suffer another loss.
Pepperdine
Shut down the Tigers backcourt: When the Tigers backcourt is firing on all cylinders, they are awfully tough to beat. So far in conference play, in Pacific wins this season the regular starting backcourt (Andrew Bock, Sama Taku, Trevin Harris) is averaging 39.0 points. In losses, they are only average 32.0 points.
This will be a good test for the three newcomer guards for Pepperdine. Taku, Bock and Harris are all seniors, and possess a savvy that only seniors can. Malcolm Brooks, Jeremy Major and Amadi Udenyi can win the game for the Waves on the defensive end.
Prediction
Pacific appears to have finally gotten acclimated with life in the West Coast Conference. In the last three games, the Tigers have 3 wins against Santa Clara (Home), San Diego (Road) and Pepperdine. I think the Tigers sweep the Waves in conference play, and get the W. Pacific 76, Pepperdine 67.