Stephen Nover's 5-Dime Destroyer
(NCAAB) BYU vs. Pepperdine, 02/05/2015 6:00 PM, Score: 74 - 80
Point Spread: -2.00 | -110.00 BYU (Away)
Result: Loss
BYU is the superior team and has revenge. The Cougars were stunned as double-digit home favorites in the first meeting losing 67-.61 on Jan. 8. BYU has shot 611 free throws, more than any team in the nation. Yet the Cougars only shot 8 free throws in that loss.

The Cougars also missed 20 of 26 shots from 3-point range. Pepperdine does play strong perimeter defense, but the Cougars are too good not to make a higher percentage while also getting to the free throw line in their normal style.

BYU isn't going to get caught in the switches in this rematch. The Cougars are the highest scoring team in the country averaging better than 85 points a game. They also are the fifth-best free throw shooting team.

BYU has covered in 6 of its last 8 road contests. The Cougars also draw the Green Wave playing for the first time at home since Jan. 17. Their last four games have been on the road.

Pepperdine plays in a small gym that only seats a little more than 3,000. BYU should have a good fan turnout further reducing Pepperdine's home-court edge.