NCAAB Tourney East Bracket - (11) VCU vs. (6) UCLA

The BetUS Sportsbook when they meet at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia at 9:30 PM ET in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Championship Tournament.

The contest, which is being billed as one of the best first round matchups in this year’s tournament, features a VCU team that is riding a red-hot five-game winning streak, including an emphatic 71-50 rout over George Mason in the Colonial Athletic Association championship game on March 9.

Outstanding senior point guard Eric Maynor recorded 25 points and eights assists while gifted sophomore forward Larry Sanders added 18 points and set conference championship game records with 20 rebounds and seven blocks.

Get your March Madness Bracket Here!

The Bruins had also won five consecutive games before losing to USC 65-55 in the Pac-10 Tournament semifinals on Friday night.

Senior forward Josh Shipp was one of just two Bruins players to reach double figures in scoring with a team-high 19 points in the loss.

UCLA failed to cover the spread in the BetUS Sportsbook as 6.5-point favorites while the game played Under the 133.5-point O/U total.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NCAAB Free Pick.

Virginia Commonwealth is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Virginia Commonwealth is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Virginia Commonwealth's last 5 games

UCLA is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

The total has gone OVER in 13 of UCLA's last 16 games

UCLA is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

NCAAB Odds

Virginia Commonwealth +8½ -110

UCLA -8½ -110

Over 137 -110

Under 137 -110

Analysis: While many people – including President Barack Obama – are picking VCU for the big upset here, I like the Bruins to find a way to win this contest but not cover the spread.

The reality of the matter is that VCU has two very gifted players that should both be playing in the NBA at some point and will not go down easily to a Bruins team that has underachieved on several occasions this season.

I like the Bruins to win, but the cover goes to VCU.

NCAAB Free Picks: Virginia Commonwealth +8½ Points/Under 137 Total Points