The Pepperdine team that showed promise in preseason is not the Pepperdine team No. 23 Saint Mary's will face Saturday night at McKeon Pavilion in Moraga, Calif.
The Waves were picked to finish fourth in the West Coast Conference preseason poll, but several injuries have robbed them of the personnel to compete in the 10-team WCC. While Saint Mary's (16-2, 6-1 WCC) is in second place, behind Gonzaga, Pepperdine (5-14, 1-6) sunk to last place.
The Waves handed the Gaels their only home loss of the season last year, but will have trouble duplicating that feat this time around.