posted March 21, 2008 at 13:23 in NCAA B Articles

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: Texas -15.5, Total 141

The Texas Longhorns (28-6 SU, 15-12-2 ATS), turned back by Kansas in the Big 12 final, start on the road toward what they hope will be a Final Four appearance on Friday, as they take on the Governors of Austin Peay (24-10 SU, 12-18-2 ATS) in the first round of the NCAA tournament's South Regional, set to get underway at 3 PM ET at the Alltel Arena in Little Rock.

At BetUS Sportsbook,  Texas is listed as a 15.5-point favorite, with a total of 141 points.

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

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

* AP has covered five of its last six games
* AP has won 11 of its last 12 games SU
* AP has played four of its last five games UNDER the total
* TEX is 1-4-1 ATS in its last six games
* TEX has won 12 of its last 14 games SU
* TEX has played six of its last nine games UNDER the total

One can tell right away this is going to be a problem for Austin Peay. The Governors have no starter taller than 6'5", which will handicap them against a Texas front line that plays even bigger than it is. For example, how many forwards are as aggressive and athletic as Damion James? But the thing is, Austin Peay won't be able to collapse its defense, not when there is the best backcourt in all of college basketball to deal with - spearheaded by D.J. Augustin (19.3 ppg, second in the Big 12) and his running mate, sleek A.J. Abrams (16.2 ppg).

Texas had the second least turnovers in the nation (9.7 per game) and can play all styles of ball, as evidenced by its wins over UCLA, Kansas and Tennessee, along with the rest of its own conference foes.

Austin Peay has great balance, with all five starters scoring in double digits. Drake Reed, the two-time Ohio Valley Conference player of the year, adds some star power. But essentially this is a four-guard offense, and despite its 9.7 steals a game, this team also got outshot by opponents (allowing 47.5% from the field). That, and the lack of size, doesn't create a great formula.

Dave Loos has done a great job with this program. But we simply have to side with Texas, a team who beat ten different teams in this NCAA field, and the 15.5-point favorite in the BetUS March Madness betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY:  TEXAS

(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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