Posted on 3/11/2008 8:48:53 PM

CBB March Madness Betting - PREVIEWING THE BIG EAST TOURNAMENT

By Charles Jay

The Big East tournament will be held from March 12-15 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Here is a look at the field, as it is listed at BetUS Sportsbook:

BetUS March Madness Betting Odds

Team to win the Big East Conference

Cincinnati +5000 

Connecticut +600 

Georgetown +200 

Louisville +375 

Marquette +800 

Notre Dame +550 

Pittsburgh +1000 

Providence +4000 

Seton Hall +4500 

Syracuse +1500 

Villanova +2000 

West Virginia +800

Let's examine some of the teams:

CONNECTICUT (+600) is a real live shot, and after a rough start the Huskies really got rolling. They ran up a long winning streak (12 out of 13 games), beating seven probable tournament teams along the way. The main man for U-Conn here is Hasheem Thabeet, who can have the effect of changing the opponent's offensive approach by the way he blocks shots (4.5 per game) Levance Fields looks like he's coming along rather nicely for PITTSBURGH (+1000). Fields, a versatile guard who loves pressure situations, missed 12 games but came back to score 39 points with 22 assists in the season's final three contests. With Sam Young (18 ppg on 51% shooting) having taken a giant leap this year and DeJuan Blair winning best freshman honors in the conference, the Panthers have a team that can compete with anyone on a given night. But Pitt was nothing sensational when away from the friendly confines of the Petersen Center. GEORGETOWN (+200) defends well enough (36.6% FG allowed - best in the country), and has a capable seven-foot center in Roy Hibbert, but the Hoyas sometimes get beat by the quickness of opposing guards and aren't a particularly versatile shooting team. On a night when Hibbert gets outplayed by another estimable big man, G-Town could easily go down to defeat…SYRACUSE (+1500) pulled upsets over Georgetown and Marquette down the stretch, but the Orange may be one of those "bubble" teams that needs to do very well in this tournament. There's some interesting balance here, as four players average between 12.9 and 17.5 points.

WEST VIRGINIA (+800) is probably going to get an at-large bid to the NCAA's; the Mountaineers can really do a job on teams dependent on one scorer because of Bob Huggins' defensive approach. And they have the hot player in Joe Alexander, who's exploded for 32, 32 and 29 points in the last three games. But WVU has had to battle with some severe swings in offensive production. Is there enough consistency to go all the way? MARQUETTE (+800) is solid in most phases of its game. And the Eagles have the excellent floor leader in Dominic James, as well as some interesting offensive balance. But this is a guard-oriented team in a conference where there are some big men who can take over a game. There is no intimidating presence who can go inside, and with an NCAA bid virtually assured, questions about focus must come into play. NOTRE DAME (+550) is very well-equipped to spread out most defenses, as the Irish has a talented inside scorer in Luke Harangody (21 ppg) as well as talent, experience and depth in its backcourt, highlighted by Kyle McAlarney (45% from beyond arc) and Tory Jackson. They've beaten just about everyone in this conference except for Georgetown and Louisville. The big question is, how well can this team do away from the Joyce Center?

LOUISVILLE (+375), which has a bye into the second round, won 15 of its last 18 games and is going to the NCAA's. But a loss to Georgetown in the season finale may give the Cardinals the impetus they need to hunker down in this "prelim" tournament. David Padgett missed ten games but was still a unanimous All-Big East selection, and he can do battle with any big man in the conference. Terrence Williams does everything but sell popcorn and soft drinks from his small forward position. There is quickness and pressure on defense; Earl Clark, Derrick Caracter and Juan Palacios all hit the boards with ferocity, and then there's Rick Pitino, who knows how to negotiate his way through the post-season. Provided they are focused, not only Louisville an out-and-out bargain at +375 in the BetUS March Madness betting odds, they are also a strong candidate to get to the Final Four.

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 http://www.eBookies.com gives it the old college try as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)