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posted March 18, 2008 at 18:43 in NCAA B Articles

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Va. Commonwealth -6.5

The Blazers of the University of Alabama-Birmingham (22-10 SU, 15-12-1 ATS) will meet up with the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth (24-7 SU, 17-10-1 ATS) in a first-round NIT matchup that will take place Wednesday night at 7 PM ET at the Siegel Center in Richmond.

At BetUS Sportsbook, VCU is listed as a 6.5-point favorite.

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

* UAB has covered four of its last six games

* UAB has won 14 of its last 19 games SU

* UAB has played nine of its last 11 games OVER the total

* UAB has won four of its last six road games SU

* UAB has played five of its last six road games OVER the total

* VCU has covered four of its last six games

* VCU has won 16 of its last 19 games SU

* VCU has played its last five games UNDER the total

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

* UAB has won four of the last six meetings SU

* UAB is 3-2-1 ATS in the last six meetings

* The last three meetings have gone UNDER the total

UAB, which beat teams like Cincinnati, Kentucky, Old Dominion and Alabama State during the regular season, was actually banking its at-large hopes on a controversial one-point defeat to once-beaten Memphis. But the Blazers blew that "street cred" with a 38-point blowout loss to the Tigers in the season finale, then fell to Tulsa in the first round of the Conference USA tournament.

VCU thought it might have a relatively clear path to an NCAA bid after winning the Colonial Athletic Association title, but lost to William & Mary in the CAA tourney. Now after nine days off, the Rams, who were bypassed by the NCAA Selection Committee, return hoping to improve on the shooting output they closed the season with, when they failed to exceed 42%. there is some quality guard play at VCU, with the combo of Eric Maynor and Jamal Shuler chalking up 33 points and 2.7 steals a game; each has been better than 40% from beyond the arc as well.

UAB's Robert Vaden is a prolific scorer (21.6 ppg) but an erratic shooter (41%), and he's an abysmal 28% (11-for-39) in the last two contests. When someone is taking that many shots, he had better be on his game, or else the offense is in trouble. And you can bet VCU will put the defensive pressure on him and make someone else try to produce the difference-making points.

We'll side with the momentum Virginia Commonwealth developed down the stretch (winning 13 of last 16) and lay the points with the Rams, the 6.5-point favorite in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: Virginia Commonwealth

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)