Posted on
3/13/2008 1:44:21 PM
College Basketball Betting - ARIZONA STATE vs. USC
By Charles jay
BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: USC -5, Total 124
The Arizona State Sun Devils (19-11 SU, 14-12 ATS) are looking to rally in order to make a case for NCAA tournament consideration, which means they have to make a very strong showing in the Pac 10 tournament. It begins with a meeting against the USC Trojans (20-10 SU, 17-10-1 ATS) in quarterfinal action that begins at 3 PM ET Thursday at the Staples Center.
In the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds, USC is listed as a five-point favorite, with a total of 124 points.
Here are some of the NCAAB betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* USC has won five of its last six games SU
* USC has covered four of its last six games
* USC has played five of its last six games
* ASU has lost nine of its last 14 games SU
* ASU has covered four of the last five meetings
* USC has won 15 of the last 21 meetings SU
* Four of the last six meetings have gone UNDER the total
* ASU has had the shooting edge in four of the last six meetings
* USC has had the rebounding edge in seven of the last ten meetings
Arizona State got good news yesterday when it was announced that freshman James Harden, the star of this year's team, would indeed be returning to school next season. So while Harden won't be putting on a show for NBA scouts, he's happy to reprise his role as slayer of Southern Cal, as he's rambled for 50 points in the two meetings, going 8-for-9 in the first game and 7-for-8 in the second.
USC is perfectly capable of going all the way in this tournament, but that has to be beside the point. The motivation level of these two teams could be very different. USC does not need to win here to get its ticket punched for the Big Dance; in fact, with just a seven-man rotation (at best), they probably be better off getting rest for some of its banged-up players in anticipation of the tourney starting. Meanwhile, Arizona State can ill afford to get blown out of this tournament early, because it would kill their NCAA tournament chances.
With that motivational edge, its ability to take care of the ball (12.4 turnovers a game), and advantages in the long-range game (7.1 three-pointers per contest) and the free throw line (where USC is just 68%), ASU is a viable dog. So we'll take the points with Arizona State, the five-point underdog in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: ARIZONA STATE
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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com gives it the old college try as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)