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posted February 25, 2008 at 20:32 in NCAA B Free Picks

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: GONZAGA -15, Total 136.5

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (21-6 SU, 14-13 ATS) try to stretch their winning streak to five games on Monday night when they hook up with the Portland Pilots (8-19 SU, 7-17 ATS) in a West Coast Conference game that is scheduled to start at 11 PM ET at the Chiles Center in Portland.

In the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds, Gonzaga is listed as a 15-point favorite, with a total of 136.5 points.

Here are some of the NCAA basketball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* GONZ has won six of its last seven games SU

* GONZ has played four of its last six games OVER the total

* GONZ has won five of its last seven road games SU

* GONZ has played four of its last five road games OVER the total

* PORT has lost six of its last seven games SU

* PORT has covered one of its last seven games

* PORT has played five of its last seven games UNDER the total

* GONZ has covered four of the last six meetings

* GONZ has won the last nine meetings SU

* GONZ has won the last five meetings SU as the road team

* Five of the last seven meetings have gone OVER the total

* GONZ has had the shooting edge in each of the last nine meetings

* GONZ has had the rebounding edge in each of the last ten meetings

Portland would certainly like to get some revenge, as the first meeting between these two was nightmarish, a 79-41 Gonzaga win where the Pilots were able to shoot just26% from the floor. With their only win since then over lowly Loyola Marymount, prospects for the Pilots are dim. They do not cover numbers at home (2-8 ATS), and one of the reasons is poor support; in fact, Gonzaga often has more fans on hand, who travel from Spokane for the game.

The Bulldogs have great balance, with seven players averaging 7.8 ppg or more and seven players pulling down at least 3.6 rebounds a game. With Portland losing touch with light-scoring teams such as San Diego and San Francisco recently, we couldn't expect them to keep pace with the high-octane, sharp-shooting (48.3%) Gonzaga attack, even though the recent upturn on the part of Luke Sikma (12 of 14 shots made in last two games) has to be acknowledged.

And remember, Gonzaga is still intent on keeping pace with Saint Mary's for the conference lead, and they still have to play each other in the rematch. The 'Zags have won six WCC games by 20 points or more, so it's no surprise if they are able to put a lot of distance between themselves and this foe, and early, at that.

We will lay the points with Gonzaga, the 15-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: GONZAGA

Go to the BetUS.com online sportsbook today to bet on NCAA basketball. We have the most current NCAA basketball odds and lines, as well as player and game props. Join BetUS.com to experience the best in online sports betting action!

(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com gives it the old college try as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)