Posted on 3/22/2008 2:21:00 PM

March Madness Betting Lines - Kansas State vs. Wisconsin

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: Wisconsin -4.5, Total 131.5

The Kansas State Wildcats (21-11 SU, 12-14 ATS), coming off a sterling performance against USC in the first round of the NCAA tournament, will try to do it again as they face the Wisconsin Badgers (30-4 SU, 18-13 ATS) in the NCAA's Midwest Regional. At stake is a berth in the Sweet 16. Game time is 4:20 PM ET on Saturday at the Qwest Center in Omaha.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Wisconsin is listed as a 4.5-point favorite, with a total of 131.5 points.

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

* KSU has covered one of its last eight games

* KSU has won 16 of its last 24 games SU

* KSU has played four of its last five games OVER the total

* WISC has covered eight of its last nine games

* WISC has won its last 11 games SU

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

Kansas State simply took control against USC, as freshman star Michael Beasley scored 23 points and his sidekick, Bill Walker added 22. The result was an 81-67 win. The Wildcats can run teams off the court, as they play a fast-paced style. But doesn't that sound very familiar among the list of Wisconsin's victims over the years? And throw in the added attraction of an opponent dominated by freshman contributions. There are four frosh who play very prominent roles in the K-State rotation, and this looks like a spot for Wisconsin's experience to take over.

Certainly Beasley, who is the front-runner for player of the year honors, will muscle his way to some points. Few teams have stopped him. But he's liable to meet a little more resistance than usual from Bo Ryan's defensive schemes. And as for Walker, he has all the talent in the world but has been up-and-down all year, and defensive stopper Michael Flowers, among others, should be able to administer enough harassment to keep him off-balance.

The balanced Badgers didn't win 30 games for nothing, and they exhibit superior balance and ball control (just 11.9 turnovers per game). Yielding just 38% shooting, they have a good chance to control the pace; in fact, the last ten opponents have averaged just 50 points a game. Obviously Wisconsin won't have a 50-27 rebounding advantage again, as it did against Cal State-Fullerton, but Brian Butch and Joe Krabbenhoft, who combined for 27 points and 18 rebounds in that game, can hold their own.

Interestingly enough, these teams are moving in different pointspread directions as well; the win over USC was Kansas State's only cover in its last eight games, while Wisconsin have covered eight of nine.

I'm moving with Wisconsin, the 4.5-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: WISCONSIN

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)