NCAA Tournament Gambling – MSU Spartans vs UCLA Bruins Free College Basketball Pick
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#10 Michigan State (19-14, 9-9 Big Ten) vs. #7 UCLA (22-10, 13-5 Pac-10) Matchup
College Basketball Gambling – 2011 Southeast Region Bracket
Date/Time: Thursday, March 17, 9:20 PM ET
Venue: St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL.
Broadcast: TBS
Money Line: UCLA +120, Michigan State -140
Spread: Michigan State -2
Over/Under: 127
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Two college basketball programs steeped in rich tradition will face off in a second round Southeast Region game in Tampa on Thursday as the 7th seeded UCLA Bruins play the 10th seeded Michigan State Spartans.
Both teams have combined for 67 NCAA Tournament appearances and 13 national championships, but this will be the first ever meeting in the Big Dance between the Bruins and the Spartans. UCLA will be looking for another Final Four appearance after a one-year absence, and getting past MSU will be no easy task.
UCLA has won the most national titles of any program in the sport, with all but one of those coming under the direction of John Wooden. Now head coach Ben Howland, who has guided the Bruins to three consecutive trips to the Final Four from 2006 through 2008, will try to carry the torch passed on by the ‘Wizard of Westwood’.
Many bracketologist may not put much faith in a Bruins’ squad who many times this season has shown signs of being underachievers. However, The Blue Crew did have a solid regular season despite not winning Pac-10 title and being bounced out of the conference tournament by Oregon. They have on the other hand impressed, beating BYU and Arizona, while losing three close games to Villanova, VCU, Kansas, and Washington twice – all of whom are in the tournament field. 
Meanwhile, Spartans’ fans may also feel like their team didn’t live up to lofty expectations that come from being a top team the last decade-plus in the Big Ten. The boys from East Lansing qualified for the tournament for the 14th consecutive season, and have been in the tournament 19 times since 1990. Tom Izzo has won a national championship with Michigan State, and is hoping to reach a third consecutive Final Four.
Much like the Bruins the Spartans struggled, and their two conference tournament victories helped them gain an at-large bid this season.
Both teams use balanced scoring. The Spartans are led by Kalin Lucas, averaging 17.2 points per game. The Bruins have four players averaging double figures, with Reeves Nelson leading the charge at 13.9 points per game.
Recent CBB Betting Trends:
Under is 10-1 in MCHST last 11 vs. Pacific-10.
Under is 7-2 in MCHST last 9 overall.
Under is 6-2 in MCHST last 8 non-conference games.
Matt’s Free Prediction: MSU -2
This matchup poses an interesting decision for even the most experienced March Madness prognosticators. It should be a close game coming down to a clutch play in the waning minutes in a tight affair.
Given the craftiness of Izzo, I’ll lean towards Michigan State and their veteran leadership.
Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian, the Oregonian, the Springfield Republican, the Sacramento Bee, and the San Diego Union Tribune. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
