Posted on
3/19/2008 7:05:34 PM
NCAA March Madness Basketball Betting Baylor vs. Purdue
By Charles Jay
BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: Purdue -3, Total 140.5
The Baylor Bears (21-10 SU, 13-11 ATS), who "snuck" into the NCAA field as the last team announced, will try to take a first step toward moving to the head of the pack on Thursday afternoon when they open up NCAA tournament play against the Purdue Boilermakers (24-8 SU, 17-11-1 ATS) in the West Regional, to get underway at 2:50 PM ET at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.
At BetUS Sportsbook, Purdue is listed as a three-point favorite, with a total of 140.5 points.
Here are some of the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* BAY has covered five of its last seven games
* BAY has won four of its last six games SU
* BAY has played 15 of its last 17 games OVER the total
* PUR has won 14 of its last 17 games SU
* PUR is 14-3-1 ATS in its last 18 games
* PUR has played five of its last eight games UNDER the total
Baylor beat Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Kansas State, but there was still some controversy over whether the Bears really deserved an at-large bid ahead of teams like Arizona State, or whether their selection was just a punctuation for the story of the resurrection of their program. Either way, Baylor is going to try and step up the pace with guards - in fact, three starters standing 6'1" or shorter, who will be hoisting up long-range shots (make 8.8 threes per game).
Purdue may be 'out-quicked' in the backcourt, but not much - the Boilermakers get out on defense and make the opponent work for every shot. They will absolutely force the pace (61 ppg allowed) if they possibly can, and rely on the three somewhat themselves (40 in last four games). And amid all the attention given to other first-year players, Purdue has a freshman who can do some damage - Robbie Hummel, who shoots 46% from three-point distance and a shade under 50% overall.
To be sure, Purdue is not the kind of team that is going to bulldoze opponents on the inside, and Baylor won't be compromised much in that area. But the Boilermakers can match three-pointer for three-pointer, and have the edge in terms of perimeter defense. Purdue is an over-achiever (covering 14 of last 18) and scoring a season sweep over Big Ten champ Wisconsin, which is a very real contender here.
We'll lay a reasonable number with Purdue, the three-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: PURDUE
(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com gives it the old college try as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)
Go to the BetUS.com online sportsbook today to bet on NCAA basketball during March Madness. 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!