posted March 6, 2008 at 15:42 EST in NCAA B Betting Trends

Tonight’s Pac-10 matchup between the Stanford Cardinal, (24-4 SU, 14-14 ATS, 10-17-1 O/U), and UCLA Bruins, (26-3 SU, 17-9-2 ATS, 13-15 O/U), has so much riding on it, the game will undoubtedly have a NCAA Tournament feel to it.

While the Cardinal want to get back at the Bruins in the worst way for handing them a 76-67 home loss on Jan. 3, the Bruins know they need this win just as bad as a victory will give the school its third consecutive outright Pac-10 title – and likely No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

“We need to come out pumped up," freshman Kevin Love said. "We know Thursday is going to be a very, very, very, very tough game against the Lopez twins and Stanford. This game means a lot more than just winning the Pac-10."

A Cardinal win would put them in a first-place tie with UCLA while giving them a chance to win outright if they win at USC on Saturday and UCLA loses to Cal the same day.

"My primary goal is for us to win the Pac-10 and to win it outright," UCLA coach Ben Howland said. "The seedings we have no control over. Obviously, we'd like to stay out West."

UCLA is also 9-1 in their last ten games and has won five straight games coming into this contest including a 68-66 nail-biter against Arizona on Sunday.

The Cardinal are averaging 71.0 points per game on 45.4 percent shooting while allowing 58.8 points per game on 39.0 percent shooting.

The Bruins are averaging 74.0 points per game on 48.2 percent shooting while allowing 58.5 points per game on 42.5 percent shooting.

UCLA has covered the spread in seven of its last ten games while Stanford has gone 6-4 against the spread over the same span.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my NCAAB Betting Free Picks.

The Cardinal are 6-0 ATS in their last six road games following three or more consecutive home games.

The Cardinal are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.

The Bruins are 5-0 ATS in their last five Thursday games.

The Bruins are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.

The Over is 4-0 in Cardinal last four vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.

The Over is 5-0 in Bruins last five vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.

The Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.

The Cardinal are 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings in UCLA.

Analysis: While I like the Bruins to win this contest, something tells me the Cardinal are going to make this a very close contest. Despite losing by nine to the Bruins at home earlier this season, I say take the Stanford Cardinal to cover in a losing effort.

NCAAB Free Picks: Stanford +8½ Points

11:00 PM EST NCAAB Betting Odds

Stanford +8½ -110

UCLA -8½ -110

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