posted March 6, 2008 at 13:22 EST in NCAA B Betting Trends

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: CONNECTICUT -4.5, Total 148.5

The Providence Friars (14-14 SU, 11-15 ATS) are fighting for a spot in the Big East tournament. And on Thursday night they'll be able to do a lot for themselves when they face off against the Huskies of Connecticut (23-6 SU, 13-10-2 ATS) in a conference game that is scheduled to get underway at 7 PM ET at the Dunkin Donuts Center in the capital of Rhode Island.

In the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds, U-Conn is listed as a 4.5-point favorite, with a total of 148.5 points.

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

* CONN has won 12 of its last 13 games SU

* CONN has covered five of its last eight games

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

* CONN has won five of its last six road games SU

* PROV has lost five of its last six games SU

* PROV has lost eight of its last 11 games ATS

* PROV has played four of its last seven games UNDER the total

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

* PROV has covered one of its last five home games

* PROV has won and covered four of the last six meetings SU

* The road team has covered the last seven meetings

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

* CONN has had the rebounding edge in each of the last ten meetings

* PROV has made more three-pointers in four of the last six meetings

Providence was impressive in its last outing, winning a two-point decision on the road at Cincinnati behind 48% shooting. The Friars also rode the strength of nine baskets from beyond the arc. Points don't figure to be as easy to come by against U-Conn, which has surrendered only 38% to opponents, although it must be said that last time these two met (January 17), Providence scored a shocking 77-65 win and made 14 three-pointers.

Dwain Williams, who was a star in that game, is now out with an injury. Providence has talent left over in its guard-oriented rotation, and Jeff Xavier, Brian McKenzie and Weyinmi Efejuku combining for five and a half three-pointers per contest. But with Sharaud Curry, the team's real standout, out after playing just one game, depth becomes a problem. While we realize that Providence is in a do-or-die situation as far as its Big East qualifying chances are concerned, we also must acknowledge that they have very little in the way of useful size, and U-Conn center Hasheem Thabeet has been on an absolute tear, with nearly six BLOCKS per game over his last eight. Providence's chances will almost completely hinge on its ability to hit from the perimeter, and the absence of Williams makes that more difficult.

Also keep in mind that this series has carried with it a heavy road bias, with the visitor covering seven straight. Let's lay the points with the Huskies, the 4.5-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: CONNECTICUT

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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)