posted February 29, 2008 at 18:57 in NCAA B Betting Trends

BetUS college basketball bettors can find an opportunity in the Horizon League this weekend, as the Wright State Raiders (20-8 SU, 13-12-1 ATS) will be seeking a first-round bye in the conference tournament as they visit northern Indiana to play the Valparaiso Crusaders (18-12 SU, 12-13-1 ATS) in a Saturday game that will get underway at Noon ET at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

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

* WSU has won 11 of its last 13 games SU

* WSU is 3-5-1 ATS in its last nine games

* WSU has played seven of its last eight games UNDER the total

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

* WSU has played five of its last seven road games UNDER the total

* VALPO has won four of its last five games SU

* VALPO is 3-9-1 ATS in its last 12 games

* VALPO has played three of its last five games OVER the total

* VALPO is 13-4 SU at home this season

You can't ignore the nice little run Valpo is making as they seek some kind of recognition for post-season play, whether that be consideration from the NIT or the CBI (College Basketball Invitational). Homer Drew's Crusaders have won their last three games, making 29 shots from beyond the arc in the process. It appears as if Valpo, which converts 9.3 three-pointers per game, is in post-season form.

Wright State is just coming off a painful loss at Butler, which was after revenge for an earlier Horizon League loss. However, motivation shouldn't be a big problem in this quick turnaround, as the Raiders desperately want to seal up the second seed in the Horizon League tournament, which brings with it a first-round bye. They certainly don't want to be shut out of any post-season play, nor do they deserve to be.

The numbers are strong to support their case here. Not only have the Raiders won 11 of their last 13 games, they have also been road warriors of the highest order, going 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight away from home. On top of that, this has unquestionably proven to be a resilient bunch, covering nine of their last ten games after a straight-up defeat. Valparaiso did what they do best the other night against Detroit, hitting 10 three-pointers, but still couldn't piece together a pointspread cover.

We're going to take the points with Wright State, the underdog in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PREDICTION: WRIGHT 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)