Posted on 3/22/2008 1:52:37 PM

March Madness Tournament Betting - Xavier vs. Purdue

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: Xavier -3, Total 129.5

The youthful Purdue Boilermakers (25-8 SU, 18-11-1 ATS) will try to advance to the Sweet 16, a feat almost unthinkable at the start of the season, when they do battle with the Xavier Musketeers (28-6 SU, 14-15-1 ATS) in second-round NCAA tournament action in the West Regional, tipping off at 4:40 PM ET on Saturday at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Xavier is listed as a three-point favorite, with a total of 129.5 points.

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

* PUR is 15-3-1 ATS in its last 19 games

* PUR has won 15 of its last 18 games SU

* PUR has played three of its last four games OVER the total

* XAV has covered two of its last six games

* XAV has won 14 of its last 16 games SU

* XAV has played three of its last four games OVER the total

Both of these teams were impressive in the first rouns of tournament action. Purdue put away Baylor rather early, as the Bears couldn't quite figure out a way to defend against them. The Boilermakers shot 45% from beyond the arc, and nearly 50% overall, taking a team that was smallish and not necessarily defensive-minded and expliting it. Such is not the case, however, with Xavier, a team that does many things well. The Musketeers are the epitome of an ensemble bunch, with exquisite balance and mental toughness, and a concentration on fundamentals. They do a lot of things well - hit from the free throw line (75%), stop the opponent (40% FG's allowed), and rebound (33.4 per game). Plus, there is a chip on the shoulder after having everyone left off the Atlantic 10 conference first team, something that had Stanley Burrell, the league's defensive player of the year, particularly rankled. Keep an eye on the job he does on Purdue's talented freshman guard, E'Twaun Moore in particular.

Altogether, the Musketeers are experienced, well-coached and explosive, coming back from an early deficit against Cinderella-type Georgia to blow by the Bulldogs with a 21-point advantage in the second half. I like Xavier in this game, and will lay the three points int he BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: XAVIER

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)