posted February 28, 2008 at 11:43 EST in NCAA B Free Picks

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: BRADLEY -1, Total 131

The Bradley Braves (17-12 SU, 15-11-1 ATS), looking to build some momentum leading into the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, will play host to the Salukis of Southern Illinois (16-12 SU, 13-12-3 ATS) in an MVC matchup that is scheduled to tip off at 7 PM ET at the Carver Arena in Peoria, IL.

In the BetUS NCAAB betting odds, Bradley is listed as a one-point home favorite, with a total of 131 points.

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

* SIU is 4-1-1 ATS in its last six games

* SIU has won five of its last six games SU

* SIU has played five of its last seven games OVER the total

* SIU has covered three of its last 12 road games

* SIU has lost 11 of its last 13 road games SU

* SIU has played its last five road games OVER the total

* BRAD has covered nine of its last ten games

* BRAD has won nine of its last 11 games SU

* BRAD has played its last six games OVER the total

* BRAD has won and covered its last five home games

* SIU has won nine of the last eleven meetings SU

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

* BRAD has won eight of the last 11 meetings SU as the home team

* SIU has had the rebounding edge in each of the last seven meetings

Certainly a lot of the technical numbers would seem to favor Bradley, since Southern Illinois has not really proven itself as a traveling team (3-9 ATS) and the Braves have covered nine of their last ten games. However, we're going to buck those trends tonight.

That's because it must be noted that Daniel Ruffin, the acknowledged floor leader of the Bradley five, is serving a one-game suspension stemming from his arrest on misdemeanor domestic battery charges. Ruffin did an awful lot of dishing (six assists a game) and a little bit of everything else. He was the team's most reliable free throw shooter (88%) and one of its best three-point threats. Furthermore, the recent upturn in Bradley's fortunes, which have seen the Braves win nine of the last 11 games straight-up, including an upset in the rematch against Drake, can be attributed to Ruffin's presence after he came back from an injury. Andrew Warren, another double-digit scorer for Bradley, is out with a broken finger.

And let's also pay attention to Southern Illinois' more spirited play in its most recent games, which includes their own upset of Drake (in which the Salukis shot 50%) and a romp over Nevada in the "bracket-buster" this past weekend. In these games, SIU demonstrated that it can match three-pointers with its opponent if it has to. And let's also not forget that SIU, which got to the Sweet 16 last year, can play some smothering defense on occasion, especially if the opponent is a little short-handed, as Bradley is tonight.

Let's grab the point with Southern Illinois, the underdog in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

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)