2024-25 WCC Preview: Pepperdine Waves
Can the Waves finish anywhere above last?
Following a third straight sub .500 year, the Pepperdine Waves moved on from head coach Lorenzo Romar and brought in a new regime under Ed Schilling. Romar never achieved the same type of success that he had at Washington while in Malibu. However, the Waves did still have some top end talent. Unfortunately for Schilling, the talent left Malibu (why would you leave Malibu!?!) and headed elsewhere in the transfer portal.
Without Michael Ajayi (Gonzaga), Pepperdine lacks the star power to compete in the WCC. Most preseason publications pick the Waves to finish last. Can they surprise folks and finish in the middle of the pack?
Overview
Pepperdine Waves (Malibu, CA)
13 NCAA tournament appearances
Last season: 13-20 (5-11); tied for 6th in WCC
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Ed Schilling (first year)
Assistants: Scott Rigot, Tyus Edney, Mike Doig
Offseason Changes
Key Departures: Michael Ajayi (Gonzaga); Houston Mallette (Alabama); Nils Cooper (UC Davis); Malik Moore (Montana); Jalen Pitre (Sacramento State); Jevon Porter (Loyola Marymount); Cord Stansberry (Western Carolina)
Incoming Transfers & Freshmen: Stefan Todorovic (San Francisco); Zion Bethea (Delaware); Aaron Clark (Wake Forest); Javon Cooley (Marist); Alonso Faure (Loyola Maryland); Moe Odum (Pacific); Jaxon Olvera (Golden State Prep); Taj Au-Duke (CALI Prep); Danilo Dozic (Serbia); Dovydas Butka (Lithuania)
Key Returning Players: Boubacar Coulibaly; Martin Gumwel; John Squire
Projected Starting Lineup
G - Moe Odum, 6-1 (Jr.) (8.7 ppg, 4.6 apg)
G - Zion Bethea, 6-4 (Jr.) (played in three games)
G - Aaron Clark, 6-6 (So.) (played in seven games)
F - Alonso Faure, 6-10 (GR) (7.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
F - Stefan Todorovic, 6-8 (Sr.) (3.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
Three Points:
Who are these guys?
Of any team in the WCC, Pepperdine is the biggest mystery heading into 2024-25. While Pacific might have the most intrigue as they added a legendary Canadian coach, Pepperdine hired a coach with a career 75-93 record and replaced nearly their entire roster. This combination has most pundits picked Pepperdine last in the West Coast Conference.
Not only does Pepperdine not know what they are getting in new coach Ed Schilling, they are also unsure about their roster. With a projected starting five all from the transfer portal, it is impossible to say who stands out among the group. Two of the bigger prizes in the portal played a combined 10 games last year in Bethea and Clark. It is also rough that Pepperdine’s two best players transferred to basketball powerhouses in Gonzaga and Alabama. Michael Ajayi might score 30 points in his return to Malibu this year, just to throw lemon juice in the wound.
Moe Odum is the Player to Watch
This was a tough pick. Of all the newcomers, Moe Odum has at least experienced success in the West Coast Conference. The point guard averaged 4.6 assists per game, good for third in the WCC, in 2023-24. Odum will likely need to increase his scoring as well this year for Pepperdine to stay in games.
No Need to Tune In
Even the biggest Pepperdine fans are going to have a hard time tuning in to Waves games this year. The most exciting non-league match up is against either UNLV or Northwestern. When the Waves start conference play, they open with Santa Clara, Gonzaga and St. Mary’s. Ouch.
Fun Fact
Pepperdine is building a $150 million facility for basketball and volleyball (opening in 2026) that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. They are calling it “The Mountain”.
Looks like LMU is taking home the PCH cup this season!