Posted on 2/8/2008 7:40:21 PM

NCAA Basketball Betting – Boston College at Duke

By Charles Jay

BetUS college basketball bettors who favor the ACC will enjoy watching the Duke Blue Devils (20-1 SU, 13-6-1 ATS), fresh off their win over hated rival North Carolina, play host to the Boston College Eagles (12-9 SU, 6-10 ATS) at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC in a Saturday game that begins at 1 PM ET.

Here are some of the NCAA basketball betting trends that relate to this matchup:

* BC has lost its last five games

* BC is 0-5 ATS in its last five games

* BC has covered three of its last nine road games

* BC has lost seven of its last nine road games SU

* BC has played its last three games UNDER the total

* DUKE is 7-0-1 ATS in its last eight games

* DUKE has played its last six games OVER the total

* DUKE is 7-2-1 ATS in its last ten home games

* DUKE has played six of its last nine home games OVER the total

* DUKE has won the last five meetings SU

* BC has covered three of the last five meetings

* The last five meetings have gone OVER the total

One would be well-advised to be cautious when investing in Duke coming off their games with North Carolina. This year in particular, when Duke went into the contest as the #2 team in the nation, while North Carolina was #3. The 89-78 win for the Blue Devils was a big one, because NC was considered the pre-season favorite by many to win the national title. Duke has failed to cover immediately following its last three games against Carolina.

It may be difficult to make a convincing case for Boston College these days. The Eagles have lost three of their last five, and all the road games were lost by double digits. Duke is going in the opposite direction, having not suffered a pointspread defeat in its last eight contests.

Tyrese Rice (20 ppg) has been outstanding for BC, and he gets help from Rakim Sanders and Shamari Spears, who both average in double digits. John Oates also came out of nowhere against Maryland to hit 21 points.

Center Tyrelle Blair can be a difference-maker against Duke, which doesn't have a lot of size. Blair had one stretch against Michigan, Saint Louis, Providence and Maryland where he blocked 28 shots (that's SEVEN a game!). He can serve as a one-man zone for BC, which will afford the Eagles an opportunity to get out on the perimeter and defend Duke's three-point bombing (9.1 per game).

Boston College may not have a big upset possibility, but with a guy like Blair in the middle, they can make things interesting, especially if they catch Duke napping a little.

We will take the points with Boston College in the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PREDICTION: DUKE BY 8

Go to the BetUS.com online sportsbook today to bet on NCAA basketball. We have the most current NCAA basketball odds and lines, as well as player and game props. Join BetUS.com to experience the best in online sports betting action!

(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com gives it the old college try as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)