Posted on 3/14/2008 1:54:56 PM

March Madness Betting - Illinois vs. Purdue

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Purdue -6.5, Total 118.5

The fighting Illini of Illinois (14-18 SU, 12-20 ATS), who lived to fight another day by beating Penn State, now must go up against much more formidable opposition when they square off against the Purdue Boilermakers (24-7 SU, 17-10-1 ATS) in a Big Ten tournament quarterfinal game, set to tip off at 6:30 PM ET Friday at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

In the BetUS Sportsbook, Purdue is listed as a 6.5-point favorite, with a total of 118.5 points.

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

* ILL has lost 14 of its last 20 games SU

* ILL has covered three of its last 11 games

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

* PUR is 14-2-1 ATS in its last 17 games

* PUR has won 14 of its last 16 games SU

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

* PUR has covered five of the last six meetings

* PUR has won 15 of the last 23 meetings SU

* Three of the last four meetings have gone OVER the total

* ILL has had the shooting edge in four of the last five meetings

* PUR has had the rebounding edge in four of the last six meetings

* PUR has made more three-pointers in each of the last four meetings

Illinois' one-point win over Penn State in the first round of this tournament isn't necessarily the "buy" sign for the Illini, especially as they didn't even reach their season average in shooting (42%). So what's the big deal?

Sure, Purdue's percentages are lower, but the Boilermakers are a more consistent threat from beyond the arc, hitting 37 threes in the last four games. And there are many more fundamental advantages for Purdue, including its ability to hit free throws (71%), which Illinois does not do (61%).

The Boilermakers also have consistently beaten expectations, with 14 covers in their last 17 games. Look for them to play the "pace" game with Illinois and do it with a lot more success. With wins over Louisville, Michigan State and Wisconsin (two, in fact), they have a shot to win this thing. They have enough to improve upon seven and eight-point wins they've recorded over Illinois this season.

We'll lay the points with Purdue, the 6.5-point favorite in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: PURDUE

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)