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UCLA vs. Pepperdine: 5 biggest storylines for 2020-21 matchup

By Benjamin Zacher

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Chris Smith #5 of the UCLA Bruins while playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA won 75-72. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Chris Smith #5 of the UCLA Bruins while playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA won 75-72. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Pepperdine Waves Kessler Edwards James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Pepperdine Waves Kessler Edwards James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Both teams share similarities and differences on both ends of the floor

Pepperdine and UCLA feature drastically different numbers when it comes to their offense and defense – but the clash of styles may ultimately favor UCLA.

When it comes to scoring offense and scoring defense, both squads were ranked on – almost – completely opposing sides in 2019-20.  Offensively, Pepperdine ranked 45th in scoring offense (76.3 ppg), whereas UCLA was 228th (69.5).  Coincidentally, both teams shot the exact same average last season, both draining 43.40% of their shots.

Contrarily, UCLA was fairly average in scoring defense at 67.1, good for 115th – but Pepperdine was one of the worst defensive teams in the country, giving up exactly ten more points per game.  That 77.1 mark places the Waves at 327th nationally.

Those marks reflect in the team’s national placements in field goal percentage defense, as well.  UCLA fared worse at 178th, allowing teams to shoot 42.9% – but Pepperdine, again, was one of the worst in the country at 45.8% – the 309th spot in Div. I.

For what it is worth, Pepperdine was much better when it came to those statistics in their season-opening win over UC Irvine.  Despite the Anteaters ranking a stellar 12th in field goal percentage defense last year at 38.8%, Pepperdine feasted on them offensively, knocking down a dead-even 50% (32-64) of their shots.

Pepperdine’s defense numbers were solid against UC Irvine, too.  Despite letting teams shoot nearly 46% against them last season, they held the Anteaters to a 39.1% (27-69) mark.  Their defense in the second half, particularly, was better – after allowing 42.5% in the first half, they tightened up and allowed just 34.48% of UC Irvine’s shots.

Next. 10 biggest takeaways from opening night. dark

UCLA’s stats were not nearly as stellar in their season-opening loss to San Diego State, however.  The Bruins shot just 39.5% (17-43) from the floor, registering 58 points on the game.  Their defense was also not up-to-par, either, allowing the Aztecs to drain 46.6% (27-58) of their attempts, giving up 73 points in the process.

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