Posted on 3/18/2008 7:20:29 PM

NCAA Invitational Basketball Betting Morgan State at Virginia Tech

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: Virginia Tech -17.5, Total 124.5

The Virginia Tech Hokies (19-13 SU, 18-11 ATS), upset at not making it into the NCAA tournament field, will get a chance for redemption of a sort in the NIT. In Wednesday's first round action, they play host to the Morgan State Bears (22-10 SU, 1-4 ATS) at the Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg. Game time is 7 PM ET.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Virginia Tech is listed as a 17.5-point favorite, with a total of 124.5 points.

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

* MORG has won seven of its last eight games SU

* MORG has won four of its last five road games SU

* VT has won five of its last seven games SU

* VT has covered its last seven games

* VT has covered six of its last seven home games

* VT has won 16 of its last 18 home games SU

Virginia Tech certainly comes into this game as the "hot" team, in more ways than one. The Hokies have covered their last seven, and took North Carolina to the brink in the semifinals of the ACC tournament. And coach Seth Greenberg was seething about his team being left out of the NCAA tournament field, and he got backing from some media members who made such an issue over it that they looked like they were in his pocket.

But the truth is, Virginia Tech best win all season was over Miami, a lower-level at-large team at best. And "almost" beating North Carolina wasn't going to be enough.

Besides, if you want to play the "almost" game, Morgan State doesn't look all that bad. The Bears lost by four points to U-Conn and four to Miami, and also beat Coppin State (the eventual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champ) by 28. They "almost" won the MEAC title, but lost in the rematch to Coppin.

Todd Bozeman, the former coach at Cal, has resurfaced here and built the program with transfers, which include leading scorer Jamar Smith. We respect what Virginia Tech can do, especially A.J. Vassallo, who has the capacity to take over a game. But the Hokies, who had to replace their starting backcourt - and an outstanding one at that - this season, have been plagued with shaky ballhandling at times (14.8 turnovers a game). And often, teams who bellyache about NCAA exclusion are caught napping in the first round of the "consolation" tournament.

We'll take the points with Morgan State, the 17.5-point underdog in the BetUS March madness betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: MORGAN STATE

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)