Basketball Betting: UCLA vs. Washington Odds & Picks: February 19th 2009

UCLA vs. Washington Betting Odds & Picks - Courtesy of Bob Harvey
Free Pick: Washington +8.5 - Thu February 19th 2009 11:00p
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First a brief history lesson. Washington is 1-21 at Pauley Pavilion. Their only victory came three years ago. This could be the Huskies best chance since to beat the Bruins again.

Washington has won six of eight against UCLA including an 86-75 win on January 14th in Seattle. In that game Isiah Thomas dominated on the outside and Jon Brockman owned the paint. The Huskies also have extra incentive tonight. They lead the Pac Ten and a win tonight would virtually terminate the Bruins hopes for a fourth straight conference title.

Defense and rebounding have plagued UCLA this season. But those decencies were very noticeable in Arizona last weekend when the Bruins lost to both AU and ASU. They allowed the Arizona schools to shoot a combined 54 percent and were scorched by the Wildcats who layed a 49 spot on the Bruins in the first half!

UCLA has also been a dreadful rebounding team grabbing an average of 28 per game, second worst in the conference. And with Alfred Aboya slowed with the flu, UCLA could be in for another long night against Brockman and the Huskies.

Washington leads the Pac Ten with an average of 41 boards per game with Brockman pulling down 11 per game, more than twice what Aboya is averaging.

The Bruins haven’t lost three straight since ’05. But they’re staring straight down the barrel of another loss tonight. The points are an absolute gift. Washington should win this one outright. - Courtesy of Bob Harvey