Posted on 3/21/2008 5:29:50 PM

March Madness Wagering - Boise State vs. Louisville

By Charles Jay

BetUS March Madness Betting Odds: Louisville -13.5, Total 147

The Boise State Broncos (25-8 SU, 16-11 ATS) are one of the better offensive teams in the country. On Friday night they're going up against one of the nation's better defensive teams in the Louisville Cardinals (24-8 SU, 17-11-1 ATS) as first-round play in the NCAA tournament's East Regional begins. Game time at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham is 9:40 PM ET.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Louisville is listed as a 13.5-point favorite, with a total of 147 points.

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

* BSU has covered four of its last six games

* BSU has won five of its last six games SU

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

* LOU has won and covered nine of its last 11 games

* LOU has played five of its last eight games OVER the total

Boise State is the #2 shooting team in the country, hitting this season at a 50.5% rate. There are some offensive people for Louisville to worry about, like Reggie Larry, the 6'6" forward who averaged 20 ppg and exploded for 31 points and 16 rebounds when Boise State rallied to beat New Mexico State on its own home court in triple overtime to win the WAC title, and Matt Nelson, who averaged almost 16 points a game on 66% shooting. When you're a high-percentage shooting team like the Broncos, you have enough people who can get you easy baskets.

But Louisville has the athletes and the defensive scheme to smother this ballclub. The Cardinals held its opponents to 38% field goals, and only 31% from three-point range. Rick Pitino will have his perimeter guys put the pressure on Boise State from at least 20 feet out, and one of the strongest things about the Cards, and what makes them a legitimate darkhorse, is the fact that they have a lot of big people they can throw at the opponent. They all defend, and as we were speaking of easy baskets, David Padgett, who overcame injury to hit a sizzling 69% of his shots, gets them. Derrick Caracter and Juan Palacios can come off the bench to muscle foes for Pitino, and that kind of depth is a rarity in college basketball.

Let's also not forget that Terrence Williams, who at times played something of a "point forward" position while Louisville was missing personnel with injuries, fills out a stat sheet as well as anyone in the game.

We admire what Boise State can do; after all, it's not often that a team can play on its opponent's court in a conference title game and fight tooth-and-nail, successfully, for FIFTY-FIVE minutes. But this won't be their night. We are going to lay the points with Louisville, the 13.5-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: LOUISVILLE

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)