Posted on 3/13/2008 3:06:29 PM

NCAA Basketball Picks - AIR FORCE vs. SAN DIEGO STATE

By Charles jay

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: SAN DIEGO ST. -5.5, Total 110.5

The Air Force Falcons (16-13 SU, 10-13-1 ATS) and the San Diego State Aztecs (19-11 SU, 15-12 ATS) met just five days ago, and they meet up again, this time with more at stake, when they begin play in the Mountain West Conference tournament at 5:30 PM ET in Las Vegas' Thomas & Mack Center.

In the BetUS NCAAB betting odds, San Diego State is listed as a 5.5-point favorite, with a total of 110.5 points.

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

* AF has covered two of its last six games

* AF has won four of its last six games SU

* SDS has covered four of its last six games

* SDS has lost five of its last eight games SU

* SDS has covered six of the last seven meetings

* The last five meetings have gone UNDER the total

* SDS has had the shooting edge in five of the last six meetings

* SDS has had the rebounding edge in each of the last ten meetings

* AF has made more three-pointers in eight of the last ten meetings

These teams met on Match 8, with Air Force coming away with a 46-43 win, and holding San Diego State to just 34% shooting. That was somewhat significant, because so much of what Air Force looks to do concerns controlling the tempo of a game. And when you have just 89 points scored, you are being very successful at it.

What makes things so different this time around? Nothing much, probably. The Falcons are generally a pretty stingy team, limiting opponents to a little less than 41% from the field in addition to 57 ppg, which ranks it in the top five nationally. When the Aztecs aren't shooting well they can go right into the trash can, as they did right here on this court when they hit 39% in a ten-point loss to UNLV a couple of weeks ago (not covering, by the way).

Even as they were held down to 13 field goals and 38 points, and out-rebounded by 15, the Falcons only lost by eleven points to SDSU on February 6. Air Force has won four of its last six, hits three-pointers at a little higher rate (38%-34%) and has the ability to frustrate.

We'll take points with the Falcons, the 5.5-point underdog in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: AIR FORCE

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)