The Pepperdine Waves take on the Portland Pilots in the 2026 WCC Tournament Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday, March 5. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Portland is favored by -2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -148. Pepperdine, meanwhile, enters as a +2.5 underdog and is +124 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 152.5 total points.
Here’s my Pepperdine vs. Portland prediction and college basketball picks for Thursday, March 5.
Pepperdine vs Portland Prediction
My Pick: Portland Team Total Over 77.5
My Pepperdine vs Portland best bet is on the Pilots to go over their team total. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Pepperdine vs Portland Odds
| Pepperdine Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -105 | 152.5 -110o / -110u | +124 |
| Portland Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -115 | 152.5 -110o / -110u | -148 |
- Pepperdine vs Portland Spread: Portland -2.5, Pepperdine +2.5
- Pepperdine vs Portland Over/Under: 152.5 Points
- Pepperdine vs Portland Moneyline: Pepperdine +124, Portland -148
Pepperdine vs Portland College Basketball Betting Preview
The Pepperdine Waves have allowed at least 79 points in 10 straight games. That’s consistently terrible defense down the stretch from the Waves.
Orleans Arena is home to the WCC Tournament and is known for its generous rims. The over has cashed at a 55.5% clip in over 300 games at that arena.
Portland likes to get to the basket on offense, while Pepperdine doesn’t have any shot blockers. In fact, the Waves rank just 278th nationally in block rate.
Freshman Joel Foxwell had 35 points for Portland the last time these two played, and he should waltz into the paint in the rematch.
Pepperdine vs Portland Pick, Betting Analysis
In addition to the matchup on the floor, Pepperdine has really turned up the tempo late in the season, ranking second in the WCC in that area.
Pepperdine ended Portland’s season in the first game of the tournament last year. Portland is a mediocre team, but Shantay Legans is a good head coach, and I think he’ll have his team ready to play.
Bet the Pilots to run it up here.
My Pick: Portland Team Total Over 77.5
