UCLA vs. Portland
Free Pick: UCLA -5.0 (-110 odds)
Thu November 26th 2009 11:00p
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The Portland Pilots are a senior laden team that is off to a 3-0 start and just beat Oregon at home, but while the UCLA Bruins are much younger, we feel their athleticism and the fact that this is practically a home game in Anaheim should be enough to get the safe win here.

In fact, this is an excellent eight-team field assembled for the 76 Classic, as it includes four teams currently ranked in the top 25 (West Virginia, Clemson, Butler, Minnesota), and if either the Bruins or the Pilots can go deep in this tourney, it would be a great jump-start tom their year and it would bode well for their chances in March.

While the Pilots are 3-0, it should be noted that they opened with a couple of cupcakes in Eastern Washington and Seattle University, and while the 88-81 victory over Oregon was more significant, it did come at home and Portland was actually a slight favorite in that game. The fact that they allowed 81 points to a seemingly outclassed Seattle team before allowing 81 again to Oregon is a big red flag coming into what should be their toughest test of the early season.

Now the Bruins were upset by CS Fullerton in their opener, but keep in mind that UCLA lost four starters from last season, so we will forgive them for that slow start. They did rebound with a nine-point win over Santa Barbara and a 19-point romp over Pepperdine, and they have continued to play their trademark defense despite the large turnover in personnel, allowing only 61.3 points per game on a scant 40.6 percent shooting.

We look for that defense to slow the Pilots down and key the victory in front of a mostly supportive crowd.

CBB Free Pick: UCLA -5 (-110)

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