Posted on 3/21/2008 2:00:05 PM

NCAA March Madness - Georgetown vs. Maryland-Baltimore County

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: Georgetown -17, Total 132

The Retrievers of Maryland-Baltimore County (24-8 SU, 1-0 ATS) don't have a bit of "dog" in them, unless it's in the pointspread. On Friday afternoon they will take on the Georgetown Hoyas (27-5 SU, 13-16 ATS) in the first round of the NCAA tournament's Midwest Regional. Game time is 2:55 PM ET at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Georgetown is listed as a 17-point favorite, with a total of 132 points.

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

* UMBC has won 12 of its last 13 games SU
* GTOWN has won seven of its last eight games SU
* GTOWN has played four of its last five games OVER the total
* GTOWN has covered five of its last eight games

This first-round game has an interesting regional flavor, as you can imagine. UMBC, the America East champion, is on a pretty hot streak, but this is a small team, with only one starter over 6'4". They're inconsistent in shooting the ball - witness consecutive efforts of 57%, 33%, 57%, 33%, and 59%.

Georgetown is a team with plenty of balance, with all five starters averaging 9.2 ppg or better, and Patrick Ewing Jr. having just been voted the Big East Sixth Man of the Year. Roy Hibbert, the 7'2" center, hits 60% of his shots. Certainly they're deep enough, and the Hoyas have a strangling defense that yields only 57.3 ppg and 36% field goals (best in the nation).

Still, there are some factors that may merit UMBC some consideration. They turn the ball over less than any team in the country (9.4 times a game). And there is an outstanding 1.6 ratio of assists to turnovers. This team can play with the Hoyas in the backcourt. They aren't giving possessions away easily, and they've got quickness.

We're going to take the points with Maryland-Baltimore County, the 17-point underdog in the BetUS March Madness betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY:  MARYLAND-BALTIMORE COUNTY

(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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