posted March 20, 2008 at 11:50 in NCAA B Free Picks

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: UCLA -32, Total 123

The UCLA Bruins (31-3 SU, 20-12-1 ATS), considered by many to have a great shot at advancing past the West Regional, step into action on Thursday night when they take on the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State in first-round action that is set to begin at 9:55 PM ET at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

At BetUS Sportsbook, UCLA is listed as a 32-point favorite, with a total of 123 points.

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

* MVS has won its last nine games SU
* UCLA has covered two of its last six games
* UCLA has won its last ten games SU
* UCLA has played four of its last five games OVER the total
* UCLA has covered two of its last six games

Mississippi Valley State started out its season losing eight games in a row. Along the way, they were destroyed by 25 points or more by the likes of Ole Miss, Pitt, Creighton, Baylor and Tulsa. Then there was the 71-26 thrashing they took at the hands of Pac 10 school Washington State, in which the Delta Devils were 0-for-15 from beyond the arc and 28% overall, with nine points in the second half.

We can't imagine things getting all that much better against UCLA, with a stifling defense authored by Ben Howland and now with power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute presumably healthy and ready for action again. MVSU's shooting is chilly to begin with (just 40%) and they'll get colder.

There is always a question as to whether the favorite will really have the killer instinct in a game against a completely outclassed opponent. But remember - this is the first NCAA tournament game for fabulous freshman Kevin Love, who was also named Pac 10 player of the year. He'll be excited. and UCLA scored blowout wins the last two years in this round over Belmont and Weber State (Howland's alma mater), smothering each of those teams in the process.

This is a big number, but we'll lay the points with UCLA, the 32-point favorite in the BetUS March Madness betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY:  UCLA

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

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