Posted on
2/25/2008 7:21:27 PM
College Basketball Betting - TEXAS at KANSAS STATE
By Charles Jay
BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: KANSAS STATE -2, Total 147.5
The Texas Longhorns (23-4 SU, 13-8-1 ATS) are on a hot streak right now. Can the Kansas State Wildcats (18-8 SU, 11-9 ATS) slow them down? We'll find out, as these two Big 12 powers meet up in a Monday night contest that will be tipping off at 9 PM ET at the Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, KS.
In the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds, Kansas State is listed as a two-point home favorite, with a total of 147.5 points.
Here are some of the NCAAB betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* TEX has won its last seven games SU
* TEX is 6-0-1 ATS in its last seven games
* TEX has played three of its last four games UNDER the total
* TEX has won four of its last five road games SU
* TEX is 2-4-1 ATS in its last seven road games
* TEX has played three of its last four road games OVER the total
* KSU has lost three of its last four games SU
* KSU has covered one of its last four games
* KSU has played seven of its last nine games OVER the total
* KSU has won its last 11 home games SU
* KSU has covered seven straight home games
* KSU has covered the last six meetings
* TEX has had the shooting edge in each of the last three meetings
* TEX has had the rebounding edge in each of the last three meetings
Kansas State's record of 6-0 ATS as a home favorite certainly throws caution tot he winds, as does the Wildcats' playing style, which pushes the ball up quickly and takes advantage of player of the year candidate Michael Beasley cleaning the glass and dominating the lane. K-State averages 80.4 ppg, which is 16th in the country, and ranks second nationally in rebounding at home (42.1 per game).
Despite all this, they will still have a tough nut to crack with more experienced Texas, which appears to have some solid focus as it is on a streak of seven straight games in which it has not lost, either straight-up or against the number. The Longhorns' slick court leader, DJ Augustin, tallies six assists a game with just 2.7 turnovers. His team turns the ball over 9.4 times a game overall, lowest in the nation.
But Texas is really doing it with defense, having held five of its last six opponents under 40% from the field. Damion James is on a rebound roll, with 57 in his last five games. Freshman Gary Johnson has asserted himself under the boards as well. And oh by the way, AJ Abrams is just four for 19 from the field in the last two games, but he's too good to be kept down for very long.
Kansas State can be erratic on occasion (15.7 TO's per contest) and Texas can put a body on Beasley on all times. For a hot team who has already scored wins over Tennessee, UCLA and Kansas, getting points gives us some value. Let's take those points with Texas, the two-point underdog in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: TEXAS
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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com gives it the old college try as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)