posted February 27, 2008 at 18:00 EST in NCAA B Free Picks

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds: PITT -11.5, Total 129

The Pitt Panthers (19-8 SU, 12-10 ATS) are coming off a home loss. That's rare. But they have a chance to bounce back from that on Wednesday night when they take on the Cincinnati Bearcats (13-13 SU, 14-10 ATS) in Bog East action that takes place at the Petersen Events Center and tips off at 7:30 PM ET.

In the BetUS NCAAB betting odds, Pittsburgh is listed as an 11.5-point favorite, with a total of 129 points.

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

* CIN has covered 14 of its last 19 games

* CIN has won four of its last six games SU

* CIN has covered seven of its last ten road games

* CIN has lost 18 of its last 21 road games SU

* PITT has covered on of its last six games

* PITT has lost four of its last six games SU

* PITT has won 19 of its last 21 home games SU

* PITT has won two of the last three meetings

* Two of the last three meetings have gone UNDER the total

* PITT has had the shooting and rebounding edge in two of the last three meetings

Pittsburgh did not lay down, but they did not take advantage of an opportunity to beat a nationally-ranked team at home on Sunday, losing a two-point decision to Louisville. that's now three straight defeats for the Panthers, who hope that the "tournament math" might still come out in their favor by the time the selection committee meets.

For Cincinnati, there are quality wins (Louisville, Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia, and Pitt, in a previous meeting), but things are a bit more tenuous for the Bearcats, who need to finish over .500 to qualify for ANY post-season tourney. Cincy's had some low outputs lately (36% against Georgetown, 34% against South Florida), and its Big East schedule has been characterized by uneven performances. But with a solid defensive presence (42% FG's against), there is no question they have the ability to hang, and Pittsburgh is an uninspiring 2-3 ATS in its last five home games.

The Panthers will never be totally healthy, as long as Mike Cook is out for the year. Of course, Levance Fields, the crafty guard, has returned to the rotation, but Fields is having a bit of a problem getting lift-off, hitting just nine of 30 shots in his three games back. Can he be counted on to make a difference, or will Pitt continue to suffer a little as he's getting himself acclimated to full-speed action?

We think Pitt will win this one, but the impost is enough for Mick Cronin and the Bearcats to slide through. We take the points with Cincinnati, the 11.5-point dog in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: CINCINNATI

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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)