posted March 14, 2008 at 12:50 in NCAA B Articles

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Michigan State -5.5, Total 121.5

Two teams who met each other five days ago will meet up again in the Big ten tournament in Indianapolis, when the Ohio State Buckeyes (19-12 SU, 13-13-1 ATS) face off against the Michigan State Spartans (24-7 SU, 12-15-1 ATS) in quarterfinal action that is set to tip off at 2:30 PM ET at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

In the BetUS Sportsbook, Michigan State is listed as a 5.5-point favorite, with a total of 121.5 points.

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

* OSU is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games

* OSU has lost four of the last six games SU

* OSU has played 11 of its last 15 games UNDER the total

* MSU has covered three of its last ten games

* MSU has won 19 of its last 25 games SU

* OSU has won and covered four of the last five meetings

* MSU has won 15 of its last 22 meetings SU

* Four of the last six meetings have gone UNDER the total

* OSU has had the shooting edge in four of the last six meetings

* MSU has had the rebounding edge in three of the last four meetings

Ohio State found itself in do-or-die mode when it hosted Michigan State last Sunday, and took advantage of a Spartan team that has sometimes been lost away from home when it shot 50% en route to a 63-54 win. Jamar Butler remained sharp for the Buckeyes; after netting 25 in the previous upset win over Purdue, he scored 20 against Tom Izzo's team and has been a perfect 16-for-16 from the line in that pair of contests.

Ohio State's victories over Purdue and Michigan State, coming back-to-back, are an indication that not only does this team mean business right now as it continues to grab for an NCAA at-large berth (if it doesn't win this tourney), but that Thad Matta may have this team jelling after a season of adjustment, after losing almost all of its key players from the team that went all the way to the last year's title game before losing to Florida.

Although Kosta Koufos, the freshman center, has been inconsistent since conference play began. Othello Hunter, his compliment on the front line, always gives a high-percentage effort, and in fact has shot 68% over the last four games. And the Buckeyes have at time had a smothering stop unit (38.5% FG's allowed, which lands them in the top ten nationally).

Michigan State has what is probably a rebounding edge, as well as a solid point guard in Drew Neitzel. But we're still not convinced about them as a proposition away from home, and Ohio State, still not assured of anything by the NCAA Committee, continue to carry that sense of urgency.

We'll look for OSU to keep things tight all the way, and so we grab the points with the Buckeyes, the 5.5-point underdog in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: OHIO 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)