5* Big Dance *BEST BET*

Virginia Commonwealth vs. Wichita State, 03/15/2012 19:15 EDT, Score: 62 - 59

Point Spread: -6/-110 Wichita State

Sportsbook: DSI

Result: Loss

5* Big Dance *BEST BET* on Wichita State -6
With VCU's 2011 Cinderella run fresh in everyone's mind, odds makers are trying to take advantage. They are begging bettors to take the points with last year's Final Four participant, but we won't fall for the trap.

This is not the same VCU team. The Rams returned just 2 starters from that squad, which is a big reason why they were crushed by double digits in road/neutral court games against non-tournament teams Seton Hall and Georgia Tech.

Wichita State has the look of a very dangerous team and should meet the challenge here. It is 9-2 ATS when playing away from home 15 or more games into the season versus good teams that outscore their opponents by 4 or more points per game over the last 2 seasons. The Shockers are defeating these teams by an average of 11.0 points.

The Shockers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall, 10-3 ATS in their last 13 neutral site games as a favorite and 24-8 ATS in their last 32 games as a favorite of 6.5 points or less.

Wichita State defeated No. 8 seed Creighton by 21 on the road. It also defeated No. 13 seed Dayton by 17 on the road. The Shockers also have an impressive 19-point win over No. 6 seed UNLV. Wichita State is capable of a blowout here. We'll lay the points.