Posted on 12/6/2007 1:59:20 PM

NCAAB Betting - LSU (+8.5) vs. Villanova (-8.5)

By D.S. Williamson

Believe it or not, both Villanova and LSU haven’t been that bad this year. The Fighting Tigers are 5 and 2 while the Wildcats are 5 and 1.

Both teams are undefeated at home and both teams play good defense. The significance of that word “home” cannot be underestimated in this match-up but before I get into that, let me just say that neither one of these teams has much of a chance in their respective conferences.

LSU gets to try and beat Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Now, Florida should have a down year, after coach Billy Donovan lost all of those great players from last years’ team, but Kentucky will buckle-down and Tennessee is just really, really good.

Villanova gets to face Louisville, Georgetown, and Marquette. Forget about it. Those three teams are all great teams. Louisville and Georgetown both have a chance to get to the Final Four this year. Marquette has better guard play than Villanova. So, in that respect, the Wildcats are done in the Big East.

None of that matters much in this game. The truth about this one is that trends mean nothing. There is no real trend here except the one, that I alluded earlier, that has to do with that excellent word - - “home”.

The Villanova Wildcats are 20 and 18 all time in the Wachovia Center.

The Villanova Wildcats were 3 and 2 in the Wachovia Center last year.

The Villanova Wildcats are listed as the home team in this game, but they aren’t really playing at home. Because there is so much interest in the Villanova basketball games, they play some of their games at the home of the Philadelphia 76’ers, the Wachovia Center.

For some reason, I have no idea why, they Wildcats aren’t that great straight-up at the Wachovia Center. Maybe, it has something to do with the bright lights. I don’t know, but it’s enough for me to question the legitimacy of those 8.5 points that they have to give up.

No doubt that Villanova has better guards than LSU and that guard play usually is what matters in college basketball. But, LSU has a terrific freshman in Anthony Randolph. Randolph has been brilliant lately, averaging over 8 rebounds and 15 points per game.

Will he be enough to counteract that excellent play of Villanova’s guards? Maybe, but I just can’t give up 8.5 points to this well-coached LSU team.

The BetUS NCAA basketball betting line is LSU Fighting Tigers + 8.5 against the spread on the road versus the Villanova Wildcats.

I like LSU to beat that spread.

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!