Portland (-1) vs Pepperdine - 8:20pm Pacific - Game #755-756
Both of these teams have had disappointing seasons but Portland heads into this game in much better shape. The Pilots have not had to travel since a Feburary 18th game at USF and in last three games beat Santa Clara while losing respectably to the top two teams in the league Gonzaga and St Mary's. Portland has a deep front line of capable big men and has made it a priority to get the ball inside in recent weeks. That strategy should pay dividends against the Waves who have only one legitimate inside player who is limited by having to avoid foul trouble at all costs. Portland has to like their chances here after controlling both regular season meetings vs Pepperdine, enjoying +15 and +11 rebound margins. They won outright wire to wire in Malibu before amazingly blowing an 18 point lead with 9:18 to play in the second half of last matchup in Portland. Notable from that game, Waves guard Rico Tucker led Pepperdine's big comeback with 17 second half points. Tucker, who led the team in assists and steals and was third in scoring, suffered a season ending knee injury in the final minutes of loss at San Diego two games back. Pepperdine lost by 25 to USF in their first game without him. Tucker had more D-1 experience than anyone left on the active roster, was a team leader, and arguably their most valuable all round player. Pepperdine was already extremely shorthanded due to injuries and multiple defections. They now have just six scholarship players left consisting of four freshman and two first year JC transfers, all of whom will be playing in their first ever postseason tournament for a lame duck interim coach. Expect the Pilots to advance.

Play: Portland -1 1.0 UNIT  |  LOSS 48-50



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