What's Happening?
The Gonzaga Bulldogs, ranked No. 7, are set to face the Pepperdine Waves in the West Coast Conference opener, aiming for their 50th consecutive victory against Pepperdine. The Bulldogs have not lost to the Waves since
January 18, 2002. Under the leadership of coach Mark Few, Gonzaga has a strong record of 53-2 against Pepperdine. This season, Gonzaga has achieved significant victories, including a 122-50 win over Southern Utah, marking the second-largest win in school history. The Bulldogs have a 12-1 record, with recent wins including a 91-82 victory over Oregon. Key players like Braeden Smith and Braden Huff have been instrumental, with Smith scoring a season-best 21 points against Oregon. Meanwhile, Pepperdine, with a 5-8 record, recently defeated Rice 84-62, led by Aaron Clark's 25 points.
Why It's Important?
This matchup is significant as it highlights Gonzaga's dominance in the West Coast Conference and their consistent performance over the years. A victory would extend their winning streak against Pepperdine to 50 games, underscoring their stronghold in the conference. For Pepperdine, this game presents an opportunity to challenge a top-ranked team and potentially disrupt Gonzaga's streak. The outcome of this game could impact the standings and momentum for both teams as they progress through the season. Gonzaga's performance also reflects their preparedness for the upcoming transition to the Pac-12 conference, which could have broader implications for their future competition level.
What's Next?
Following this game, Gonzaga will continue their season with the aim of maintaining their high ranking and preparing for their move to the Pac-12 conference next season. For Pepperdine, the focus will be on leveraging the experience gained from playing a top-tier team to improve their performance in subsequent games. Both teams will look to refine their strategies and player performances as they navigate the rest of the conference schedule.
