Scouting Report: Pepperdine

Pepperdine Waves
W-L: 7-12
RPI: 248
SOS: 195
Best Wins:
(98) Utah W, 76-64
(171) Loyola Marymount W, 79-75

Best Losses:
(52) Miami L, 86-63
(92) Georgia L, 64-47

Team Overview:
The Waves know they can start with an outstanding tandem in junior Mychel Thompson, who plays on the wing, and sophomore shooting guard Keion Bell.

Thompson (Portland, Ore./Santa Margarita Catholic HS/Stoneridge Prep) is the only scholarship player that has been on the roster for two previous seasons. A 6-foot-7, two-year starter who has been voted team captain in 2009-10, he averaged 8.1 points as a freshman and was up to 9.6 points as a sophomore, second-best on the team. He has made 91 career three-pointers and is likely to break into Pepperdine's top 10 this season.

"Mychel might have made as much progress as anyone during the offseason," Asbury said. "The fact that he was voted captain by a landslide shows the respect that the players have for him as a leader. Even though he's a quiet leader, he leads by example. He's versatile. He can step out and shoot it, he can put the ball on the floor, he can defend, he's a very complete player. I expect great things from him."

Bell (Los Angeles, Calif./Pasadena HS) was a revelation as a freshman, showing skills that will make him one of the conference's most dynamic players for the next three seasons, and dunking ability that may make him a YouTube legend. The 6-foot-3 guard was named to the WCC All-Freshman team after averaging team highs of 12.9 points, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals. His showing at the Say No Classic summer league prompted one local sportswriter to call him arguably the best college player in all of Southern California.

"I think Keion will be one of the top players in the conference," Asbury said. "He's improved his body, gotten bigger and stronger, and has a better understanding of the game and what we want to do. He's a pretty complete player. Once he makes a consistent jump shot and commits fewer turnovers, he may be the best player in the league at some point in time."

Team Leaders:
Points: Keion Bell 19.2
Assists: Keion Bell 4.0
Rebounds: Taylor Darby 6.3

Best Player:

Keion Bell G 6-3 200 SO
Bell is one of the best perimeter players in the WCC, with games of 34 and 28 Points so far this year.

My Take:
Pepperdine is a team in transition. They have talent, but in most cases its pretty young. That being said, they are off to a scorching hot start in WCC conference play at 3-0, this game is shaping up to be the fourth straight against the upper echelon of talent in the WCC, expect Pepperdine to give the Zags some trouble early on, but in the end, they are no match for the Zags premier division 1 talent. I expect a blowout.

Final Score: Gonzaga 94 Pepperdine 67