Posted on
3/22/2008 12:46:07 PM
NCAA March Madness Bracket - Butler vs. Tennessee
By Charles Jay
BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: Tennessee -4.5, Total 139.5
The Butler Bulldogs (30-3 SU, 17-14-1 ATS) are ready to go after "big game" in the NCAA tournament on Sunday afternoon, as they tackle the Tennessee Volunteers (30-4 SU, 15-14-1 ATS) in the East Regional, a contest that takes place at 2:30 PM ET at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham.
At BetUS Sportsbook, Tennessee is listed as a 4.5-point favorite, with a total of 139.5 points.
Here are some of the NCAA college basketball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* BUT has covered four of its last five games
* BUT has won 14 of its last 15 games SU
* BUT has played four of its last six games OVER the total
* TENN has covered two of its last seven games
* TENN has won 14 of its last 16 games SU
* TENN has played five of its last eight games UNDER the total
A nice contrast here between a team that wishes to step up the pace whenever possible (Tennessee) and another who would rather take the more deliberate approach (Butler). The Vols, who shot a little over 46% for the season, have been on a hot streak, with three games in the last four where they have chalked up 52% or better. However, Butler is about as good at playing the game of pace as anyone, and has held opponents to just 49 ppg over the last four (also 57 ppg away from home, which is best in all of Division I).
Tennessee doesn't normally throw a lot of size at its opponents, which presents a potential advantage for Butler's talented freshman Matt Howard, who hits 60% of his shots. And Butler might be able to mitigate Tennessee's ability to gain easy fast-break points because it keeps turnovers to a minimum (10.1 turnovers a game). The Volunteers are not necessarily the toughest defensive team out on the perimeter either, which is why they should be very concerned about the Bulldogs' 15 three-pointers in the resounding win over South Alabama. And Bruce Pearl's team is sometimes combustible at the free throw line (just 66%).
Butler will try Tennessee's patience, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see the Vols frustrated. Then all of sudden they look up and there's a couple of minutes left and they're behind by seven points. that's what happens when the game gets "shortened."
I'm taking the points with Butler, the 4.5-point underdog in the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: BUTLER
(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com gives it the old college try as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)
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