Pepperdine Waves vs Washington State Cougars Picks and Predictions for Saturday January 24 2026

The Pepperdine Waves head north to face the Washington State Cougars on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with tipoff scheduled for 6:00 PM ET at Beasley Coliseum. This nonconference matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+. Washington State enters the contest as a sizable home favorite, listed at -485 on the moneyline, while Pepperdine is priced at +370. The Cougars are laying 10.5 points on the spread, and the total is set at 146.5 points with both the Over and Under priced at -110. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert betting analysis and daily college hoops insight.

Pepperdine Waves Struggling to Find Traction on the Road

Pepperdine comes into this matchup with a 6-15 overall record and has endured a difficult stretch of play over the past few weeks. The Waves have recently lost to Gonzaga, San Francisco, San Diego, Pacific, and have recently won over Portland. That stretch highlights the challenges Pepperdine has faced against stronger competition, particularly away from home where defensive issues have been magnified.

From a statistical standpoint, Pepperdine has struggled to maintain balance on both ends of the floor. The Waves average 69.1 points per game while allowing 75.9 points per contest, often putting them in a position where they need to chase games late. They shoot 42% from the field and average 33.9 rebounds per game, numbers that are serviceable but not enough to consistently overcome defensive breakdowns.

One area where Pepperdine has had difficulty is generating defensive disruption. The Waves average just 2.4 blocks and 6.0 steals per game, limiting their ability to force turnovers or protect the rim. Without those extra possessions, Pepperdine often relies heavily on half-court execution, which has been inconsistent. Against a Washington State team that prefers to play at a faster tempo, Pepperdine’s defensive limitations could be exposed early.

Washington State Cougars Looking to Rebound at Home

Washington State enters Saturday’s matchup with an 8-13 overall record and is looking to halt a four-game losing streak. The Cougars have recently lost to San Diego, San Francisco, Gonzaga, and Saint Mary’s, while their most recent win came against Oregon State. Despite the recent skid, Washington State has been more competitive at home, where their offense tends to play with greater confidence.

Offensively, Washington State averages 75.7 points per game while allowing 77.8 points per contest. The Cougars shoot 47% from the field and average 34.8 rebounds per game, giving them a slight edge on the glass compared to Pepperdine. Their offense is built around shot efficiency rather than volume, and they are capable of putting together scoring runs when spacing is effective.

Defensively, Washington State is not overly aggressive but does enough to stay involved. The Cougars average 3.0 blocks and 5.6 steals per game, relying more on positioning than pressure. While their defensive numbers are not elite, they often perform better against teams that struggle to score consistently. Against a Pepperdine squad averaging under 70 points per game, Washington State should be able to control tempo and dictate matchups.

Pepperdine Waves vs Washington State Cougars Pick

Pepperdine Waves vs Washington State Cougars Spread Pick

• Washington State -10.5 (-115)

Washington State’s offensive efficiency and home-court advantage give the Cougars a clear edge in this matchup. Pepperdine’s struggles on the road, combined with their inability to generate defensive stops, make it difficult to trust them to stay within a double-digit number. Washington State should be able to build separation by controlling the glass and taking advantage of Pepperdine’s defensive lapses.

Pepperdine Waves vs Washington State Cougars Total Pick

• Over 146.5 (-110)

I’m backing the Over in this matchup because Washington State should be able to score efficiently against Pepperdine’s defense, while Pepperdine’s pace can still contribute to the total even in a loss. Both teams allow more than 75 points per game, and neither consistently forces opponents into low-possession games. With limited defensive resistance expected, this matchup sets up well for a total that creeps past the number.

Final Score Prediction: Washington State 82, Pepperdine 68