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Pepperdine Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Waves

By Jake Verboven

SPOKANE, WA - FEBRUARY 21: Head coach Lorenzo Romar of the Pepperdine Waves huddles with his players during a timeout in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center on February 21, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA - FEBRUARY 21: Head coach Lorenzo Romar of the Pepperdine Waves huddles with his players during a timeout in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center on February 21, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Kessler Edwards #15 of the Pepperdine Waves go after a loose ball during a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs defeated the Waves 100-74. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Kessler Edwards #15 of the Pepperdine Waves go after a loose ball during a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs defeated the Waves 100-74. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Key Games

Non-Conference

  • Nov. 9- UC Irvine: The Anteaters are the clear favorite again in the Big West conference
  •  Nov. 19 – At USC: The Trojans are much improved in 2020, and ready to compete in the Pac-12
  •  Nov. 28 – Arizona: The Wildcats should be a top 25 teams come the beginning of the season

Conference

  • Jan. 4 – At Gonzaga: The Bulldogs are the WCC favorite once again
  • Jan. 18- Saint Mary’s: The Gaels are aiming for another NCAA Tournament birth
  • Jan. 30- At BYU: Yoeli Childs will be back, another tough road contest
  • Feb.15- Gonzaga:  A home game against the leagues toughest team

Outlook

The Waves have some early tests with a trio of Pac-12 teams in Cal, USC, and Arizona in their non-conference slate of games. Those games could be the telling point for how well Pepperdine will compete with the top teams in the WCC this year.

Next. WCC preseason power rankings for 2019-20. dark

From just looking at their roster, they have the talent to compete with every conference team not named Gonzaga. Colbey Ross is primed for a record-setting season and has the most help he has ever had with the two Edwards and a deep bench. If the bigs can rebound with the likes of BYU, Gonzaga, and Saint Mary’s — I don’t see why the Waves can’t finish 3rd in the WCC and put some pressure on the two top teams in the conference tournament.