posted March 13, 2008 at 19:44 in NCAA B Free Picks

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: STANFORD -2.5, Total 129.5

The Arizona Wildcats (19-13 SU, 17-12-1 ATS) continue with what they hope will be a magical run through the Pac 10 Tournament when they face the Stanford Cardinal (24-6 SU, 14-16 ATS) in tourney action that begins at 11:30 PM ET Thursday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

In the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds, Stanford is listed as a 2.5-point favorite, with a total of 129.5 points.

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

* ARIZ has covered four of the last six meetings

* ARIZ has won six of the last eight meetings SU

* Nine of the last ten meetings have gone OVER the total

* STAN has covered one of its last five games

* STAN has won 20 of its last 25 games SU

* STAN has played seven of its last eight games OVER the total

This is a tough one because we likes both of these teams' chances in this tournament. As far as Stanford is concerned, we were attracted to the idea that they might look for redemption for losing to both UCLA and USC in ignominious fashion as the season came to a close.

There is no question that Stanford has the big presence with the Lopez brothers. We're not huge fans of their perimeter players, though, and Arizona would have to claim an edge in the backcourt with Nic Wise back in the lineup to join Jerryd Bayless.

'Zona will take an edge in quickness into this contest, as well as the urgency, as they feel they absolutely have to win the conference title to get to the NCAA's. And in the 31-point romp over Oregon State Wise and Chase Budinger saw a lot of action, but no one was taxed all that much. Perhaps the perfect tune-up for the "real" game.

We'll take the points and Arizona, the 2.5-point underdog in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: ARIZONA

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