posted March 6, 2008 at 14:26 in NCAA B Articles

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: OREGON -5.5, Total 139.5

It might be the Pac-10's version of a "Texas Death Match" on Thursday night at the McArthur Court in Eugene, as the Oregon Ducks (16-12 SU, 14-12 ATS) play host to the Arizona State Sun Devils (18-10 SU, 13-11 ATS). That's because the loser of this game might as well go home, at least as far as NCAA tournament eligibility is concerned. Scheduled tipoff is 9 PM ET.

In the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds, Oregon is listed as a 5.5-point favorite, with a total of 139.5 points.

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

* ASU has lost eight of its last 12 games SU

* ASU has played four of its last six games OVER the total

* ASU has covered two of its last six road games

* ASU has lost 18 of its last 23 road games SU

* ASU has played 14 of its last 19 road games UNDER the total

* ORE has covered four of its last six games

* ORE has lost eight of its last 12 games SU

* ORE has covered one of its last five home games

* ORE has won 19 of its last 22 home games SU

* ORE has played five of its last seven home games UNDER the total

* ASU has covered six of the last eight meetings

* ORE has won four of the last five meetings SU

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

* ASU has covered six of the last nine meetings as the road team

* ORE has had the shooting edge in five of the last six meetings

Arizona State started out like a house afire this season, winning 14 of its first 16 games and getting off to a 4-0 conference record that saw Herb Sendek's team make it into the Top 25. But this team has noticeably fizzled, dropping wight of its last twelve to put post-season hopes in jeopardy. ASU kept itself alive for the at-large berth with a 14-point win against USC on Saturday. Of course, that was in Tempe, but you know, the Sun Devils have scored a few significant road wins, beating Arizona and California. And the Ducks are only slightly above that class.

Oregon has disappointed, with a 7-9 record in the conference. And though they've had a rugged home stretch, they haven't exactly shined, with only a win over lowly Oregon State to show for their last four efforts. We certainly appreciate the exploits of Marty Leunen, who lit up the Beavers for 32 points on Saturday. But with all due respect to Leunen, the best player on the floor will be ASU's James Harden, who missed just one field goal and one free throw in a 24-point outing against USC.

We realize that Arizona State has a team dominated by contributions by freshmen. But when these teams met previously, it was the Sun Devils who were able to impose their version of tempo, registering a 62-54 win that represented Oregon's third lowest point total of the season. They can do enough again to keep this game within the number. Let's take the points with Arizona State, the 5.5-point underdog in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: ARIZONA 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)