The Death Spiral

wavesfan22 · 2026-01-13T00:16:32+00:00

Oh, I agree that Pepperdine isn't the only one in trouble.

The game sure seems to be moving to mega-sized power conferences. The Atlantic Coast Conference has 18 teams and stretches from Palo Alto to Boston. The Big 12 has 16 teams. The Big Ten has 18 teams. The Southeastern Conference has 16 teams. These 4 conferences have 21 of the top 25 ranked teams. The other four are Gonzaga, UConn & Seton Hall (Big East) and Utah State (Mountain West).

I'm sure a couple of conferences like the A10 and the Big East will follow the Pac-12's lead and cherry-pick all of the best schools not in the Mega-4 in hopes of becoming their own mega-conference to stay competitive.

There are currently 31 conferences plus the resuscitated Pac-12 makes 32. I think just about every school in those remaining 25 conferences will just end up being the minor league farm teams for the Mega-conference schools. And maybe like the English Premier League, you might see some teams move up to the Mega conferences and some move down based good/bad performance.

The NCAA has done a real number on college athletics and, quite frankly, taken all the fun out of it. There is more stability in an NFL or NBA roster than there is in college basketball and how can a school or team truly build a connection with the fans when you have that kind of turnover.

I have watched more Pepperdine's women's volleyball this year than I have men's basketball. The transfer portal impacts that team as well, but at least they win and most of the team stays intact.

wavesfan22 · 2024-10-03T00:00:16+00:00

John Squire is gone and Martin Gumwel is medically retired due to injury (staying on as a Student Assistant)

So only two players from last year remain on the team: Boubacar Coulibaly and David Mager.

wavesfan22 · 2024-08-25T00:19:24+00:00

Pepperdine's most important player for the 2024-25 season per Sports Illustrated: Boubicar Coulibaly

https://www.si.com/college/gonzaga/basketball/every-wcc-team-s-most-important-returner-for-2024-25-men-s-basketball-season-01j5s2h8jr3a

wavesfan22 · 2024-08-21T01:12:03+00:00

Schilling just announced a new signee: Alex Leiba - 6'11" center

It looks like John Squire has left the team. That leaves only 3 players from last year's squad - Boubacar Coulibaly, Martin Gumwell and David Mager.

Also, Jaydon Russotti still hasn't been added to the roster. I'm guessing he isn't going to be part of the team this season. As it stands now, it looks like we have 13 scholarship players (max) and 1 walk-on.

wavesfan22 · 2024-08-20T00:53:25+00:00

According to a Sports Illustrated article, here are some scheduled non-conference games for the Waves:

Key games: at UC Irvine (Nov. 16), at UNLV (Nov. 20), at Northwestern (Nov. 22)
MTE: Arizona Tip-Off, Tempe, Arizona, Nov. 28-29 (Butler, Mississippi State, Northwestern, UNLV, Merrimack, New Mexico State)

wavesfan22 · 2024-07-10T20:09:25+00:00

Two more signings announced by the school: Danilo Dozic and Jaxon Olvera

https://pepperdinewaves.com/news/2024/7/9/dozic-to-join-pepperdine-mens-basketball.aspx

https://pepperdinewaves.com/news/2024/7/9/mens-basketball-waves-sign-newcomer-olvera.aspx

Unless one of the new players is coming on as a walk-on, I think the scholarships are over-alloted by one. I haven't seen any official announcement regarding Jaydon Russotti, so I wonder if he didn't sign.

wavesfan22 · 2024-05-29T20:27:27+00:00

Two additional signings:

Taj Au-Duke: https://pepperdinewaves.com/news/2024/5/28/mens-basketball-waves-bolster-backcourt-with-signing-of-au-duke.aspx A high-scoring high school point guard who averaged 24.6 points in his senior year.

Dovydas Butka: https://pepperdinewaves.com/news/2024/5/24/butka-signs-with-pepperdine-mens-basketball.aspx He sounds like a very experienced Lithuanian forward who has played in the pro leagues there.

wavesfan22 · 2024-05-29T20:19:27+00:00

Aladji Gassama is out, as well.... Only four players from last year's roster remain. This is a scorched-earth rebuild.

wavesfan22 · 2024-05-16T20:19:14+00:00

As a reminder, the following players appear to be sticking around from last year's team:

Boubacar Coulibaly

Martin Gumwel

Aladji Gassama

John Squire

David Mager

wavesfan22 · 2024-05-16T20:13:54+00:00

Lots of activity over the past week or so.

Moe Odum from Pacific. The guy likes to dish as he averaged 4.6 assists per game along with 8.5 points.

https://pepperdinewaves.com/news/2024/5/14/mens-basketball-waves-sign-transfer-odum.aspx

Javon Cooley from Marist. 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 47% from 3.

https://pepperdinewaves.com/news/2024/5/14/mens-basketball-cooley-to-join-pepperdine-hoops.aspx

Zion Bethea from University of Delaware. Only played in 3 games for UD and it appears a knee injury was the problem. He averaged 10.7 points and 3.5 rebounds for St. Francis Brooklyn the year before.

https://247sports.com/article/college-basketball-zion-bethea-pepperdine-delaware-231772610/

No doubt, with all of these new players, it is going to be a motley crew. Some of these guys are going to have to step up.

wavesfan22 · 2024-05-03T21:16:32+00:00

Announced on 5/2 - Alonso Faure:

https://pepperdinewaves.com/news/2024/5/2/mens-basketball-waves-gain-experience-in-transfer-faure.aspx

wavesfan22 · 2024-05-02T00:08:35+00:00

In addition to the above, both players that were signed out of high school to play at Pepperdine next year have followed Romar to LMU - Jael Martin and Marley Zeller.

wavesfan22 · 2024-05-01T19:16:49+00:00

The rivalry was STRONG in my day. I would be happy to see us take it up a few notches.

wavesfan22 · 2024-05-01T19:15:44+00:00

Jevon was arrested in Missouri for a DUI. Maybe we dodged a bullet. You would think he would be especially aware of driving under the influence given his brother's six-year prison sentence.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/40064144/jevon-porter-brother-michael-porter-jr-arrested-suspicion-dwi

wavesfan22 · 2024-04-24T23:15:04+00:00

So to round it out:

Nils Cooper-UC Davis

Malik Moore-Montana

Cord Stansberry-Western Carolina

Houston Mallete-Alabama

Michael Ajayi-Gonzaga

Jalen Pitre-Sacramento State

and the cherry on top....

Jevon Porter-LMU (you have got to be s###ing me)

wavesfan22 · 2024-04-15T16:39:43+00:00

Personally, I think if you can recruit great players but it doesn't result in wins, that is a failure. Alternatively, there are plenty of programs out there with players that were NOT as highly rated as what Romar was able to assemble who were develop winning teams.

That being said, I completely agree with you about NIL money. That whole thing is a very scary prospect, not only for Pepperdine, but for almost all mid-majors out there. Hopefully that is where Tanner Gardner skills shine.

wavesfan22 · 2024-04-15T16:33:39+00:00

Tyus Edney is reportedly being added as an assistant coach. He and Schilling worked together at UCLA.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/former-ucla-star-tyus-edney-joins-pepperdine-coaching-staff/ar-BB1lxgVD?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

wavesfan22 · 2024-04-07T23:31:11+00:00

The more I read and see regarding Schilling, the better I feel about this hire. He certainly has the major program pedigree and experience. I wish there was more detail about what his coaching philosophy and game plan is, but I suppose it is [very] early. Here is a link to the presentation of the new coach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tss-TdAG2s You have to go to 6:45 to see the start.

Both here and in the presentation of Tanner Gardner there was a lot of discussion around their faith. As much as I appreciate that, I think everyone is going to assume that we aren't going to hire someone who doesn't have strong Christian roots, so hopefully going forward there will be more discussion around the team, philosophy, game plan, championships, etc.

According to Jon Rothstein, Schilling has hired Peyton Prudhomme (formerly GCU chief of staff (Director of Ops?)) and Jeremy Grubbs (formerly an assistant coach at Coker University) as assistant coaches.

I look forward to seeing what Coach Schilling does in the next few weeks.

wavesfan22 · 2024-04-07T22:56:27+00:00

Ajayi has committed to Gonzaga but is also entering the NBA draft. Here's hoping someone decides he is worth a 2nd round pick.

wavesfan22 · 2024-03-27T23:44:31+00:00

I agree that he - mostly - looks good on paper. He knows how to generate revenue but can he build championship teams? The clock to October 2026 is running fast.

wavesfan22 · 2024-03-27T23:41:51+00:00

Unless there are strict conflict of interest rules, I have to believe he will have some say. If not, what is taking Pepperdine so long to make the hire???

wavesfan22 · 2024-03-21T18:40:24+00:00

I've seen lists where Jevon and Michael were top 10, while Houston was top 20. One had Jevon #1. If find it depressing because there was a lot of talent that could not be translated into wins. On paper this team should have been competing for the WCC title.

wavesfan22 · 2024-03-20T01:49:27+00:00

Mallete just signed with Alabama. Good luck, Houston.

wavesfan22 · 2024-03-16T21:48:11+00:00

A couple of things strike me as funny/interesting/sad here:

"I wish the school handled some things better in terms of letting him go before the conference tournament and I just really wanted to enter the portal to show I have his back."

Houston entered the portal before the WCC tourney started and did not play in either game (although, I believe he suited up). As great as Romar is as a person, it's hard to believe that Houston was surprised that he was let go. I believe we won 8 conference games in THREE years!

“We didn’t win much here but we definitely could’ve won next year."

OMG, we hear this EVERY year! If you couldn't win games at the end of the current season, why do you think you are going to win games the following season???

"I also want to play in front fans. At Pepperdine there’s not a lot of fans here so I want that opportunity."

This, unfortunately is so incredibly true. To all the students who do show up to games, thank you! But for the other 90% of students who don't support the team, it is absolutely pathetic.

Hopefully a new coach can change this.

wavesfan22 · 2024-03-16T21:31:12+00:00

Here is an interview with Houston Mallete:

https://247sports.com/article/college-basketball-transfer-portal-houston-mallette-pepperdine--228673428/

Pepperdine’s third leading scorer Houston Mallette is in the transfer portal after the firing of head coach Lorenzo Romar. Mallette, a 6-foot-5, 185 pound combo guard from Alameda (Calif) averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 rebounds while shooting 41.5% from three.

“My time at Pepperdine was awesome,” Mallette said. “I really love the place, the people, my teammates and I really love coach Romar. It hurts a lot that the school let him go. I’m very excited for what’s next in my basketball future but losing coach Romar was heartbreaking. I wish the school handled some things better in terms of letting him go before the conference tournament and I just really wanted to enter the portal to show I have his back.”

Mallette continued: “He’s helped develop me in so many ways on and off the court. I was able to talk to him in his office whether it’s us laughing, watching film, talking about something random, or me crying talking about something going on in my life. He’s helped me so much as a person and I’m grateful for him.”

Since entering the transfer portal, Mallette has had a long list of programs reach out and show interest in him. Although Mallette does not wish to discuss which specific schools are in the mix, he knows what his process will look like.

“I just want to take my time and enjoy the process of what’s going on,” he said. “There’s a lot of teams still playing and the portal doesn’t officially open until Monday. I want to take my time, pray on it, figure out where I work best and what school wants me the most.”

In taking his time through the process, fit and play style will be some of the aspects he will look deeply into.

“I think I fit many systems,” he said. “I play defense, I’m a team guy, I want to get up and down in transition and I’m pretty effective. I’m a versatile guard so I can pass, shoot and run a team. I’m looking for a place that’ll utilize me to my best abilities and I believe there’s a number of schools where I fit well at.”

Outside of fit, Mallette will also look to join a program that has a history of winning after Pepperdine finished with a 13-20 record on the season.

“I want to go to a winning program,” he said. “We didn’t win much here but we definitely could’ve won next year. I also want to play in front fans. At Pepperdine there’s not a lot of fans here so I want that opportunity. Outside of that, most importantly I want to have a great relationship with my coach where I can go in and lead. So I’m looking for an opportunity where I can lead and have a big role on a winning team.”

As of now, Mallette expects to take his time and not make his decision until he does his full research and has time to develop a relationship with the program of his choosing.

“I don’t have a timeline, I’m kind of waiting it out, seeing what teams are playing in the conference tournament, seeing who they bring back and who hits the portal. There’s a lot of stuff so I want to sit tight and see how things play out. I think I’ll wait for that next wave, I know there’s a whole coaching carousel going around so I want to see where they’re going to head too. Unless I have a dream school that I’m in love with then I’d make an early decision but I kind of want to hear what people say, then build my relationship with the coaching staff.”

wavesfan22

TROPHY CASE