Posted on 3/19/2008 5:17:06 PM

NCAA NIT Basketball Betting - San Diego State at Florida

By Charles Jay

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Florida -10.5, Total 137.5

The Florida Gators (21-11 SU, 11-12 ATS), who have wont he last two national titles, did not make it to the NCAA tournament this year. But they get a chance to continue playing anyway on Wednesday night, as they take on the San Diego State Aztecs (20-12 SU, 15-14 ATS) in the first round of the NIT, which will tip off at 9 PM ET at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Florida is listed as a 10.5-point favorite, with a total of 137.5 points.

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

* SDSU has covered one of its last five games

* SDSU has played five of its last six games UNDER the total

* SDSU has covered two of its last seven road games

* SDSU has lost five of its last six road games SU

* SDSU has played four of its last six road games UNDER the total

* FLA has covered one of its last six games

* FLA has lost four of its last five games SU

* FLA has played seven of its last ten games OVER the total

* FLA has lost its last six home games ATS

* FLA has lost four of its last five home games SU

* FLA has played five of its last six home games OVER the total

Florida's Billy Donovan had a big job on his hands this season, having to replace all five starters from his team that had won not one, but two national championships. With the help of newcomers like freshman Nick Calathes (15.7 ppg - brother of St. Joseph's star Pat Calathes), he was able to post another 20-win season. But when it was time to make a move toward the end of the season, the Gators went flat. That was uncharacteristic of Donovan's teams, as was the four losses in the last five home games. This team clearly lacked the experience and killer instinct of its predecessors.

The absolute nadir came in the SEC tournament, when Florida fell behind by 28 points in the first half and never had a chance against an under-achieving Alabama team. Then Donovan kicked his team out of its own practice facility, forcing them to get ready for San Diego State in other facilities on campus. According to freshman Jai Lucas, “When he feels we’re ready and playing like the University of Florida should play, then we’ll move (back) in.”

It has been admitted by some players that they felt a sense of "entitlement" during the season, just because they wore a Florida jersey. It's hard to speculate that is going to end so suddenly against tournament-savvy San Diego State and their coach, Steve Fisher, who is no stranger to having won national championships.

Fisher dismissed Kyle Spain from his team during the season, but the Aztecs have nice balance anyway, with six of the remaining players averaging between 6.8 and 14.9 points. Lorenzo Wade, a transfer from Louisville, may not be a legitimate three-point threat (just 32%), but he has done a little of everything else, and junior forward Ryan Amoroso (11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg) has made great strides in his first year here after transferring from Marquette.

We think like Donovan does. Just because the name "Florida" graces the jersey doesn't mean what it did last year. We will take a sizable impost with San Diego State, the 10.5-point underdog in the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: SAN DIEGO STATE

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)