One Play Wednesday:

 

UNLV at Pepperdine (-2, play to -4.5) - Game #543-544 - 7:00pm Pacific

The Waves enter the game riding a six game win streak and still probably have not played their best basketball yet.  Last season was full of disappointment and turmoil.  This year the health and chemistry of the team is much improved and a senior laden lineup is hungry to make some noise.  During the six game streak, senior forward Glen McGowan has stepped up his game averaging 19.0ppg, including a game high 29 in big win over Wisconsin.  Do it all junior guard Alex Acker is averaging 17.5ppg, 8.5rpg, and 3.5apg during the streak himself.  Acker, at 6-5, is likely to develop into a first round NBA pick before he is done in Malibu.  The third member of Pepperdine's "big three" is senior forward Yakouba Diawara who is averaging 14.1ppg and 5.6rpg while also playing superb defense.  Center Jesse Pinegar is playing out of position but is a matchup problem for opposing centers because of his great shooting range.  His presence makes it very difficult to double team Diawara and McGowan down low.  Pepperdine is just difficult to defend, period.  The other big news has been improved defense.  Pepperine allowed opponents to shoot 47.8% from the field last season.  During current win streak, opponents have shot just 41.3% from the field.  Pepperdine's best three defenders, Diawara, Acker, and point guard Marvin Lea will be matched up against UNLV's top three scoring threats forward Blankston, shooting guard Beck, and point guard Bassingame respectively.  Advantage Waves.

 

I have not been impressed at all with UNLV's play this year.  They have one quality win over Oregon State in Las Vegas but otherwise have done nothing.  They were beaten soundly by St. Mary's in home opener, then won on a buzzer beater following a lucky turnover in final seconds on the road against a shorthanded Cal team.  In last game they lost at Nevada by 6 but trailed by large margins throughout the game and just did not seem to be playing well.  Reports indicate the Rebels are in an adjustment period as they learn first year head coach Lon Kruger's new system.  Point guard Bassingame has struggled to shoot the ball early on going 10-for-35 overall and 2-for-13 from behind the arc.  Romel Beck, second on team in scoring last year, is recovering from an achilles injury that caused him to not start first two games.  He is still playing big minutes but is not 100% yet.  The Rebels are also missing three of their tougher players from last year, center J.K. Edwards, reserve forward James Peters, and guard Demetrius Hunter, all of which have graduated.  This team may be in good shape come conference play but right now I do not believe they are a good side to be on.

 

UNLV was just 4-8 in road games last year and this will be their third straight road game in an 8 day span.  Pepperdine meanwhile, has not left Southern California in 19 days.  They have historically been strong at home posting a 71-19 (.789) record at Firestone Fieldhouse over the past 7 years.  I personally have witnessed how dynamite they can be at home when focused.  They went on a 24-5 run to start the second half vs Wisconsin here just 10 days ago.  I believe Pepperdine is still hungry and is the better team here.  They should be favored by a lot more points on their home court.  Give the small number.

 

Official Play: Pepperdine -2  1 UNIT