Posted on 3/19/2008 3:26:54 PM

NCAA Invitational Basketball Betting - New Mexico at California

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: California -4, Total 152

Two coaches who may be somewhere else next year square off in Berkley, as the New Mexico Lobos (24-8 SU, 22-8-1 ATS) face the California Golden Bears (16-15 SU, 15-13 ATS) in a first-round NIT game that will tip off at 11 PM ET on Wednesday night at the Haas Pavilion.

At BetUS Sportsbook, California is listed as a four-point favorite, with a total of 152 points.

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

* NMEX has won and covered eight of its last ten games

* NMEX has played 15 of its last 19 games OVER the total

* NMEX has won and covered four of its last five road games

* NMEX has played nine of its last ten road games OVER the total

* CAL has lost six of its last seven games SU

* CAL has played 15 of its last 16 games OVER the total

* CAL has lost its last eight home games ATS

* CAL has lost seven of its last eight home games SU

* CAL has played six of its last seven home games OVER the total

New Mexico might lose its head coach Steve Alford, who is rumored to be very interested in interviewing for the post at Indiana that is expected to become vacant at the end of the season. His team finished strong, winning eight of its last nine until suffering a disappointing two-point defeat at the hands of Utah in the Mountain West Conference tournament.

And the Lobos sizzled against the number, covering nine of 13 away from home. Alford is making a good case for returning to the Big Ten (if they'll have him), as he has his team hitting threes (8.1 per game), playing "D" (allowing less than 41% FG's) and taking pretty good care of the ball (12.2 turnovers per game).

California's season looked promising when it ran USC up and down the court in registering a ten-point victory to kick off the Pac-10 schedule. But things went downhill rather quickly, and despite occasional flashes against Washington State and Arizona State, the Bears never really recovered. Cal has managed to keep some of its conference games close, but with six losses in its last seven games, there is no momentum, at least not enough to be laying points in a building where the Bears have lost seven of eight and have not covered in the last seven.

So we're taking the points with New Mexico, the four-point underdog in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: NEW MEXICO

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)