posted March 13, 2008 at 15:41 EST in NCAA B Free Picks

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: LOUISVILLE -4, Total 130

The Pittsburgh Panthers (23-9 SU, 14-13 ATS), having advanced past the first round of the Big East tournament, now move to the next step - and a tough task - as they face off against the Louisville Cardinals (24-7 SU, 17-10-1 ATS) in a second-round tournament game that is scheduled to tip off at 7 PM ET on Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

In the BetUS NCAAB betting odds, Louisville is listed as a four-point favorite, with a total of 130 points.

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

* PITT has covered two of its last eight games

* PITT has won four of its last five games SU

* PITT has played its last seven games OVER the total

* LOU has won and covered nine of its last ten games

* PITT has won and covered three of the last five meetings SU

* LOU has had the rebounding edge in each of the last three meetings

* LOU has made more three-pointers in four of the last five meetings

Pittsburgh managed to get by pesky Cincinnati last night by a 70-64 count, but the Panthers had to do a little bit of work before socking away the "W." And an old bugaboo reared its ugly head again, which was the team's inability to hit free throws with consistency (62%). Pittsburgh has now been well below its season average (67%) in each of the last three contests.

In terms of key players, Levance Fields had 10 points, six assists and only one turnover, but he was also 2-for-9 from the field. The big guy, DeJuan Blair, played 24 minutes and took ONE shot, which he missed. The dilemma for Pitt is that Blair is certainly going to be needed in this one, but he would have his hands full with the more experienced David Padgett, who was referred to by many as the Big East's most valuable player this year. And Louisville has reinforcements, i.e., backup bodies they can throw at Blair.

With four days off coming into this one, Rick Pitino's troops will be fresh, and well-prepared to put the defensive pressure on for the full 40 minutes. While Pittsburgh isn't normally sloppy (12 TO's per game), they will still have to guard against fatigue in the second half.

While both teams have already assured themselves of entry into the NCAA tournament, Louisville (allowing just 38% FG's this season) may have their sights on a protected seed in the Big Dance, and they could elevate themselves to a #3 or #4 if they can make it to the final.

We'll lay the points with Louisville, the hot team (9-1 SU & ATS last 10) and the four-point favorite in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: LOUISVILLE

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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)