Pepperdine Begins Defense of WCAC Title as An Underdog Tonight at San Francisco

Pepperdine has won two straight West Coast Athletic Conference basketball championships and 5 of the last 6, but when the Waves open WCAC play tonight at the University of San Francisco they will be underdogs.

The Waves are 4-8, while the Dons are 10-3, including an 8-1 record at home.

“December records are misleading,” warned Pepperdine Coach Jim Harrick, whose team moves on to play at Santa Clara Saturday night. “It depends on whom you play and where you play them. We choose not to play Division II, Division III and NAIA schools, and 7 of our last 10 games were on the road.”

Loyola Marymount also opens WCAC action tonight, taking its high-powered offense to defenseive-minded Santa Clara. The Lions will play at USF Saturday.

Loyola (7-5) will have a slightly different look this weekend, with freshman guard Jeff Fryer getting his first start. Senior Dennis Vogel will become the backup shooting guard. Coach Paul Westhead, who says Fryer has become the team’s top outside shooter, is looking for some improved marksmanship in the backcourt.

Santa Clara is 9-5.