Amanda Knapp
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team is the basketball team of Pepperdine University. They compete in the NCAA Division I, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Waves have competed in 13 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments and are 3rd in WCC tournament wins and championships. They have also qualified for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) thrice, winning the 2021 CBI Championship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Pepperdine Waves |
| Team Conference | West Coast Conference |
| Coach | Ed Schilling |
| Player with most points | Colbey Ross |
| Player with most recent high score | Moe Odum |
| Player with second-highest recent score | Dane Erikstrup |
| Highest score opponent | Saint Mary's |
| Highest score opponent score | 74 |
| Pepperdine Waves highest score | 86 |
| Pepperdine Waves lowest score | 73 |
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What You'll Learn
Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team history
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team is the representative basketball team of Pepperdine University in the NCAA Division I—the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Waves, as they are commonly known, first took to the courts in the 1938-39 season and have since become a powerhouse in college basketball, qualifying for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 13 times.
In their early years, the Waves experienced success under coach Alva Duer, reaching their first postseason tournament in 1942 and competing in the 6th ever NCAA Tournament in 1944. Within the first eight years of the program, the Waves earned invitations to five postseason tournaments, including four NAIA tournaments and the 1945 NAIA championship game.
The Waves continued to build on their success, and by the 1970s, they had become a force to be reckoned with in the West Coast Conference (WCC). During the 1976-77 NBA season, a former Wave player was drafted into the NBA, starting a remarkable streak of 34 consecutive seasons in which at least one former Wave played in an NBA game. The Waves themselves have qualified for the NAIA men's basketball tournament seven times, with a combined record of 11-7, and have seen over 30 former players drafted or playing in the NBA, including Hall of Famer Dennis Johnson.
The Pepperdine Waves have had several notable rivalries over the years, including the Pepperdine-LMU rivalry, known as the PCH Cup since 2009, and the Surf and Turf Showdown against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, which they played annually since 1979. The Waves hold the record for most overtime wins in the series and previously held the longest winning streak, with 12 consecutive wins from 1987 to 1992.
In recent years, the Waves have continued to break program records and achieve success on the court. In the 2001-02 season, they tied with nationally ranked Gonzaga for the WCC regular-season title. In 2016, Stacy Davis became the all-time leading scorer, and in 2017, Jeremy Major became the all-time leader in assists. Both records were later broken by Colbey Ross, who finished his Pepperdine career in 2021 as the program's leader in scoring, assists, and several other categories. The Waves most recently appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2002 and won the 2021 College Basketball Invitational, their first-ever postseason tournament victory.
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Pepperdine Waves vs Gonzaga Bulldogs rivalry
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team represents Pepperdine University in the NCAA Division I—the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Waves compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC) and have a long history of success, including 13 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with their most recent appearance being in 2002.
The Waves have a well-known rivalry with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, referred to as "The Surf and Turf Showdown." This rivalry dates back to 1979 and is one of the newer competitions in the WCC. The Pepperdine-Gonzaga rivalry is highlighted by the Waves' record for the most overtime wins in the series and a notable 12-game winning streak from 1987 to 1992.
The Waves have experienced success in recent years, with standout players like Colbey Ross, who became the program's all-time leader in scoring, assists, and several other records upon finishing his career in 2021. In the 2018-19 season, under the leadership of head coach Lorenzo Romar, the Waves showcased a remarkable turnaround, increasing their win total from the previous season by ten.
The rivalry between the Pepperdine Waves and Gonzaga Bulldogs has produced some memorable results. On February 16, 2025, the Gonzaga Bulldogs delivered a historic rout, defeating the Waves with a final score of 107-55. The Bulldogs' exceptional performance included a single-game record of 33 assists, with Khalif Battle leading the scoring with 24 points.
In contrast, the Waves have also had their share of victories over the Bulldogs. In the 2001-02 season, Pepperdine tied with nationally ranked Gonzaga for the WCC regular-season title. This success led to their 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, showcasing the competitive nature of the rivalry between these two teams.
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Pepperdine Waves in the NIT and NCAA tournaments
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team has a rich history of appearances in the NIT and NCAA tournaments. The Waves have qualified for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times, posting a combined record of 3-6. They reached the second round of the NIT in 1989 and returned to the tournament in 1993, 2001, and 2003.
In the NCAA Tournament, the Waves have made 13 appearances, with a combined record of 5-14. Their first NCAA Tournament was in 1976 under head coach Gary Colson, where they defeated the University of Memphis in the first round. The Waves returned to the NCAA Tournament in 1979, led by Jim Harrick, and collected another first-round victory over the University of Utah. This began a string of appearances in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the team qualifying for the tournament in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, and 1994. Their most recent NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2002.
The Waves have also found success in recent years, winning the 2021 College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Championship, their first-ever postseason tournament victory. Additionally, Pepperdine University has been selected to host the 2024 West Regional of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, showcasing the university's capabilities and their strong relationship with the basketball community.
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Pepperdine Waves players drafted into the NBA
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team has a rich history, dating back to its first season in 1938-39. The team has competed in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 13 times and has produced numerous talented players over the years.
As of 2023, 38 former Waves players have been drafted or played in the NBA, including notable names like Doug Christie, who was the WCC Player of the Year in 1992, and Dennis Johnson, an inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In recent years, the Waves have continued to make their mark in the NBA. In 2021, Kessler Edwards was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets, becoming the 32nd Pepperdine player to be selected in the NBA Draft. The most recent Wave to join the NBA is Maxwell Lewis, a 6-foot-7 forward chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 NBA Draft. Lewis, who played for Pepperdine for two seasons, became the 33rd Pepperdine player drafted and the sixth to be selected in the first two rounds.
Colbey Ross, who finished his Pepperdine career in 2021, also stands out as a record-breaker. He became the program's all-time leader in scoring, assists, and several other categories. His accomplishments extended beyond Pepperdine, as he became the first player in NCAA Division I men's basketball history to achieve totals of at least 2,200 points, 800 assists, and 400 rebounds.
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Pepperdine Waves' home arena
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team represents Pepperdine University in NCAA Division I, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Waves compete in the West Coast Conference and are coached by Ed Schilling.
The Waves have competed in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 13 times and are 3rd all-time in WCC Tournament wins and championships. The team's home arena is the Firestone Fieldhouse, a multi-purpose facility that hosts volleyball, basketball, and other athletic events. The Fieldhouse was constructed on November 30, 1973, on the university's campus near Malibu, California. Before this, the Waves played basketball as independents and hosted their home games in various locations, including historic sports venues such as The Great Western Forum and the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
The Firestone Fieldhouse has been the home of the Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team since its construction in 1973. It is a multi-purpose arena that can accommodate a variety of sports and events, providing a dedicated space for the Waves and the university's athletic programs. The construction of the Fieldhouse allowed for the growth and development of the basketball program, offering a consistent and familiar environment for the team and its fans.
Over the years, the Waves have achieved notable success in their basketball program, with a record of 44-18 in the early 2000s and appearances in both the NIT and NCAA Tournaments. The team has produced several notable players who have gone on to successful careers in the NBA, including Doug Christie and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Dennis Johnson.
The Firestone Fieldhouse continues to serve as the home arena for the Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team, hosting their games and providing a space for the community to gather and support their team. The arena has become synonymous with the Waves' basketball program, offering a competitive advantage and a sense of pride for the university.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team is an American college basketball team that represents Pepperdine University in NCAA Division I. The Waves have competed in 13 NCAA tournaments, with a combined record of 5-14. They have also qualified for the NIT six times and the CBI three times, winning the 2021 CBI Championship.
Thirty-eight former Waves have been drafted or played in the NBA, including Doug Christie and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Johnson. The most recent Waves drafted into the NBA are Kessler Edwards (2021) and Maxwell Lewis (2023).
The Pepperdine Waves have a record of 995-1043, with a .488 win percentage.
The Waves have had numerous achievements over the years, including a record-setting run of 38 consecutive West Coast Conference wins from 1991 to 1993. They have also won the WCC Tournament three times and have been WCC regular-season champions 12 times. In 2001-02, they tied with nationally ranked Gonzaga for the WCC regular-season title.
