UCLA, Washington State are not popular choices

Of the four NCAA tournament games to be played today, UCLA and Washington State have struggled to gain betting support.

The Bruins, the top-seeded team in the West Region with a 33-3 record, are favored by 12 1/2 points over Western Kentucky but have been picked to cover the point spread by only 35% of the bettors, according to theSpread.com’s betting chart as of Wednesday afternoon.

A big reason for the low number of UCLA wagers has been the Bruins’ penchant to win games but not cover the spread, which has been exposed in their current winning streak.

Since losing to Washington on Feb. 10, the Bruins are 12-0 but only 6-6 against the spread, including a 1-3 record in their last four postseason games.

UCLA will be playing a Western Kentucky team that has covered the line in seven consecutive games and is 13-3 against the spread in its last 16 games against teams with a winning percentage above .600.

While bettors are skeptical about the Bruins covering as a favorite, they are hesitant to support Washington State against North Carolina, the top-seeded team in the East Regional.

The Tar Heels (34-2) are listed as eight-point favorites and have picked up 70% of the bets to cover the spread against Washington State, according to theSpread.com.

But the Cougars are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games as an underdog of seven to 12 1/2 points.

According to VegasInsider.com’s betting trend, UCLA has received 47% of the bets against the spread against Western Kentucky, while Washington State was limited to 21% for its game against North Carolina.

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Some NCAA tournament proposition bets at Bodoglife.com: Which top-seeded team will be the first to be eliminated? UCLA (11-4), North Carolina and Kansas (13-4) and Memphis (6-5); Which conference will have the most teams in the Elite Eight? Pac-10 and Big 12 (3-1), Big East (13-2) and Big Ten (14-1); Which region will the national champion come from? East (3-2), West and Midwest (5-2) and South (13-4).

Hockey

The Dallas Stars picked the wrong time to go into a slump. The Stars are trying to hold on to their playoff position in the Western Conference but have lost four consecutive games and seven of eight.

Goaltender Marty Turco has given up at least four goals in two of his last four starts. Dallas, which will begin a four-game trip at San Jose tonight, has had the over cover in three of its last four games.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com