Posted on
3/17/2008 9:56:32 PM
By Charles Jay
BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Southern Illinois -5.5
The Oklahoma State Cowboys (17-15 SU, 11-11-2 ATS) had something of a down season in the Big 12, but they will have an opportunity to redeem themselves to a certain extent as they compete in the NIT, and on Tuesday night they will visit the Salukis of Southern Illinois (17-14 SU, 14-14-3 ATS) in a first-round matchup that tips off at 9 PM ET at the SIU Arena in Carbondale, IL.
In the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds, Southern Illinois is listed as a 5.5-point favorite.
Here are some of the NCAA college basketball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* OSU is 6-1-2 ATS in its last nine games
* OSU has won six of its last nine games SU
* OSU has played ten of its last 15 games UNDER the total
* OSU is 6-16-2 ATS in its last 24 road games
* OSU has won four of its last 25 road games SU
* SIU has covered four of its last six games
* SIU has won five of its last seven games SU
* SIU has played four of its last five games UNDER the total
* SIU has won nine of its last 11 home games SU
* SIU has played four of its last five home games UNDER the total
What's a little bit alarming about Oklahoma State and the way they come into this tournament is that the Cowboys have shot 37% or worse in three of its last four games, a problem that could manifest itself against a Saluki squad that has yielded just 57 ppg at home. OSU went on a formidable run in rebounding from a horrific conference start, beating NCAA tournament entrants Baylor, Texas A&M and Kansas. And the 'Boys also ended their 20-game road losing streak with that win over the Aggies.
Byron Eaton has done a pretty good job distributing the ball for OSU as it has shown some progress. He had 13 assists and only two turnovers in the Big 12 tournament, If he can continue to handle the ball like that, he will mitigate some of the smothering defensive tactics Southern Illinois likes to employ.
SIU, with less than 43% shooting and only so-so long-range power, has had difficulty putting points together lately, with just 98 points in the last two games combined! Yet there was enough potency at home for the Salukis to pull off huge wins when focused, as they did at home against Saint Mary's, Western Kentucky, Nevada, Bradley and Drake - all of whom are still playing - as well as a pre-season tournament win over Mississippi State, holding the Bulldogs to 49 points.
Still, we think it might be difficult for SIU to put distance between itself and this opponent, so we'll be on the "take" with Oklahoma State, the 5.5-point underdog in the BetUS March Madness betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: OKLAHOMA STATE
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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com gives it the old college try as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)