Posted on 3/21/2008 7:33:39 PM

March Madness Tournament Odds - Memphis vs. Tex-Arlington

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Memphis -24.5, Total 142

The Mavericks of the University of Texas at Arlington (21-11 SU, 1-0 ATS) have a task ahead of them that is about as big as the whole state of Texas on Friday night, when they take on the Memphis Tigers (33-1 SU, 17-17 ATS) in the first round of the NCAA South Regional, set to begin at 9:55 PM ET at Alltel Arena in Little Rock.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Memphis is listed as a 24.5-point favorite, with a total of 142 points.

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

* UTA has won its last three games SU

* MEM has won its last seven games SU

* MEM is 4-7 ATS in its last 11 games

* MEM has played four of its last five games UNDER the total

Jermaine Griffin is a big man who brings some force to the table for the Mavericks, piling up 7.2 rebounds a game and shooting a robust 64% from the field. And how many teams in this tournament - small majors or otherwise - can bring a contributor off the bench like Anthony Vereen (13.2 ppg)? Texas-Arlington shot a very solid 47.6%, but had no signature wins on its record and was the #7 seed in the Southland Conference going into the post-season tournament.

We certainly know Memphis has all the components to make it to the winner's circle. Derrick Rose, the freshman point guard, showed steady improvement throughout the year and comes into the tournament at 14.4 ppg and averaging 4.6 assist. Joey Dorsey is of course a load down low (10 rebounds per game) and Chris Douglas-Roberts is simply one of the country's most complete performers (17.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

The difference here is in defense. Both can defend, of course, but Memphis has done so against one of the nation's better non-conference schedules, not to mention an undefeated campaign in Conference USA. The Tigers allow just 38% shooting, and grab almost nine steals a game - an important stat considering UTA has a multitude of problems with turnovers (17.3 per contest)!.

Memphis' horrid free throw shooting (less than 60%) may eventually be its undoing, but it shouldn't be much of a factor here. Unless John Calipari's team is caught looking ahead, we see a rout. We will lay the points with Memphis, the 24.5-point favorite in the BetUS March Madness betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: MEMPHIS

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)