Posted on 3/22/2008 2:31:58 PM

March Madness Wagering - North Carolina vs. Arkansas

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: North Carolina -11, Total 158

The Arkansas Razorbacks (23-11 SU, 13-16-1 ATS), who dusted off Indiana in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, looks to advance to the Sweet 16 on Sunday when they face the North Carolina Tar Heels (33-2 SU, 21-10-1 ATS) in East Regional action that tips off at 5:20 PM ET at the RBC Center in Raleigh.

At BetUS Sportsbook, North Carolina is listed as an 11-point favorite, with a total of 158 points.

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

* ARK is 3-5-1 ATS in its last nine games

* ARK has won four of its last five games SU

* ARK has played five of its last seven games OVER the total

* NC is 2-4-1 ATS in its last seven games

* NC has won its last 11 games SU

* NC has played six of the last nina games OVER the total

The Hogs showed they could get into second gear on Friday, turning back Indiana after the Hoosiers had made a brief run in the second half to make it interesting. They did a great job on Eric Gordon, holding the Indiana freshman star to just 3-of-15 shooting. Steven Hill had three blocked shots. And Sonny Weems literally took the Indiana defense apart with 31 points on 12-for-14 shooting.

North Carolina scored 60 points in the first half and coasted to 113 points and a win over Mount St. Mary's behind 60% marksmanship. Surely the Heels know how to put plenty of points on the board (89.4 ppg this season). But their absurd 46-16 rebounding edge that certainly won't be duplicated here. And Arkansas has handled high-octane attacks like Tennessee and Vanderbilt in the SEC tourney. Unlike a lot of North Carolina's opponents, they can throw more than a couple of big people at their opponents. So while Tyler Hansbrough might not necessarily be shut down, he will be hassled plenty, with Hill able to alter enough shots to make a difference.

Weems, who is a force on both the offensive and defensive ends, presents a difficult matchup for anyone the Heels want to use against him. Remember, he was good enough to make the first-team All-SEC. While I don't know if they have enough to advance to the next round, I'm going to grab the points with Arkansas, the 11-point underdog in the BetUS March Madness betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: ARKANSAS

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)