posted February 28, 2008 at 12:38 EST in NCAA B Free Picks

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: VIRGINIA TECH -5.5, Total 136.5

The Virginia Tech Hokies (16-11 SU, 13-11 ATS) will play host to the Boston College Eagles (13-12 SU, 9-11 ATS) in a game between two Atlantic Coast Conference teams who are clinging to any hope at all of making the post-season. They'll tip it off at 7 PM ET at the Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, VA.

In the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds, Virginia Tech is listed as a 5.5-point favorite, with a total of 136.5 points.

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

* BC has covered three of its last nine games

* BC has lost eight of its last nine games SU

* BC has lost its last five road games SU

* BC has played three of its last four games OVER the total

* VT has won 13 of its last 15 home games SU

* VT has played eight of its last 11 games OVER the total

* VT has played four of its last five home games OVER the total

* VT has covered five of the last six meetings

* BC has won six of the last eight meetings

* BC has had the shooting edge in six of the last eight meetings

* BC has made more three-pointers in eight of the last nine meetings

Virginia Tech is one of those teams that is capable of pulling off the occasional upset, as they've done in the season sweep over Maryland. However, by and large, the Hokies have had a difficult time replacing their veteran backcourt from last season, which guided them into the second round of the NCAA tournament, before they lost to Southern Illinois.

The last meeting between these two went to overtime, with Virginia Tech winning an 81-73 decision in Chestnut Hill as BC faded in the extra period. Boston College has continually been over-dependent on the offense of Tyrese Rice this season (20.6 ppg), and indeed, the first time around he burned Virginia Tech for 27 points and four-for-eight from the three-point arc. But balance has been tough to come by, and Seth Greenberg at least has his charges playing some defense (41.3% FG's allowed).

Virginia Tech is not an easy team to beat at home, as they've won 13 of their last 15 games. So this impost is not overly imposing. We're going to lay the points with Virginia Tech, the 5.5-point favorites in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: VIRGINIA TECH

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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)