Posted on 3/4/2008 3:54:24 PM

NCAA Basketball Betting - WISCONSIN-GREEN BAY at VALPARAISO

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: VALPARAISO -6, Total 139

The Phoenix of Wisconsin-Green Bay (15-14 SU, 12-13-1 ATS) hopes to fly high on Tuesday night when it takes on the Crusaders of Valparaiso (19-12 SU, 12-14-1 ATS) in the first round of the Horizon League tournament, which will be played at the Athletics-Recreation Center on the Valpo campus at 8 PM ET

In the BetUS NCAAB betting odds, Valparaiso is listed as a six-point favorite, with a total of 139 points.

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

* WGB has covered one of its last six games

* WGB has lost five of its last seven games SU

* WGB has played five of its last six games OVER the total

* WGB has covered one of its last six road games

* WGB has lost nine of its last 10 road games SU

* WGB has gone six of its last eight road games OVER the total

* VALPO has won its last four games SU

* VALPO is 3-10-1 ATS in its last 14 games

* VALPO has played four of its last six games OVER the total

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

In a "mid-major" conference like the Horizon, a record barely over the .500 mark is not going to get much attention, even from tournaments like the NIT and CBI. So Wisconsin-Green Bay has its work cut out for it, and will to make a monster showing in this playoff to get anywhere. But the Phoenix, despite having won a couple of games in a row and shooting 49% or better in three of the last four games, is not coming into this thing with a full head of steam.

Valparaiso is playing better right now. The Crusaders have won four games in a row, including a home win over Wright State last time out. Valpo also beat Miami of Ohio in a bracket-buster game a couple of weekends ago. They do not shoot for a high percentage but make those shots count, as they've made 42 over the last four games, above their season average of 9.5, which puts them into the top five nationally.

Valpo also has a legit shot at getting into one of the consolation tournaments if it can win a game here and reach 20 for the season. Considering that Green Bay has been largely unreliable on the road (losing nine of its last 10), we can look for Valpo to continue its momentum. Lay the points with the Crusaders, the six-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: VALPARAISO

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)