Posted on 2/25/2008 5:25:46 PM

College Basketball Betting - MARQUETTE at VILLANOVA

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA Basketball Betting Odds: MARQUETTE -1.5, Total 142.5

The Villanova Wildcats (17-9 SU, 9-14 ATS) are building up more and more credentials for NCAA tournament inclusion, and on Monday night they can take another big step when they host to Marquette Golden Eagles (20-6 SU, 12-9 ATS) in a key Big East matchup that begins at 7 PM ET at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

In the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds, Marquette is listed as a 1.5-point road favorite, with the total posted at 142.5 points. .

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

* MARQ has won its last four games SU

* MARQ has covered its last five games

* MARQ has won three of its last four road games SU

* MARQ has covered its last four road games

* MARQ has played its last five road games OVER the total

* VILL has won four of its last five games SU

* VILL has covered its last four games

* VILL has covered two of its last ten home games

* VILL has played its last six games UNDER the total

* MARQ has covered the last three meetings

* MARQ has had the shooting edge in the last three meetings

They've had some rough spots, but both of these teams are in fine form right now. Villanova probably needs this game a little more to bolster its case for NCAA at-large inclusion, while Marquette is most likely guaranteed entry.

Marquette has mowed down its last four opponents by an average of more than 20 points a game. The Eagles have quickness in the backcourt, depth and balance. But we're going to side with Villanova for a couple of reasons. One is that it is quite possible that the Wildcats are on their way to curing some of their home woes with a pair of wins breaking an eight-game home pointspread winless streak. One of those victories was against a U-Conn team that was clearly one of the hottest in any major conference in the country.

The Villanova resurgence in recent games is being attributed to the insertion of 6'6" forward Dwayne Anderson into the lineup, which has helped the 'Cats on the defensive end by giving this team, which had become accustomed to playing with a three-guard lineup, more size.

We're going to take a point and a half with Villanova, the underdog in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: VILLANOVA

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)