posted March 19, 2008 at 16:06 EST in NCAA B Free Picks

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Bradley -6, Total 138

The Cincinnati Bearcats (13-18 SU, 16-13 ATS), a rarity in that they are a team with a losing record that has made it to the post-season, won't even get to the .500 mark if they make it all the way to the CBI championship. On Wednesday night, Cincinnati will visit Milwaukee to play the Bradley Braves (17-15 SU, 16-13-1 ATS) in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational, which will tip off at 7 PM ET at the Carver Arena.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Bradley is listed as a six-point favorite, with a total of 138 points.

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

* CIN has covered 16 of its last 24 games

* CIN has covered two of its last seven games

* CIN has lost its last six games SU

* CIN has played five of its last six games OVER the total

* CIN has covered five of its last seven road games

* CIN has lost 21 of its last 24 road games SU

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

* BRAD has covered 10 of its last 13 games

* BRAD has played its last nine games OVER the total

* BRAD has covered five of his last six home games

* BRAD has won six of its last seven home games SU

* BRAD has played six of its last seven home games OVER the total

There's no guarantee that this game will resemble the last one these two teams played - a seven-overtime contest in 1981. But it should be interesting nonetheless.

Bradley is a team that is not without tournament experience. The Braves were in the Sweet 16 two years ago, and made it to the NIT last year. Now there they are in the new CBI, with the top three guards in their rotation ready to go. That includes Daniel Ruffin, who was often the catalyst that made this team better, but ran into an assault arrest that resulted in a two-game suspension; Andrew Warren, who is back from a broken hand, and Jeremy Crouch, a strong three-point shooter. Unfortunately, there is no quality size.

Cincinnati's appearance here is a little strange, since the Bearcats were five games under the .500 mark. But the Bearcats won eight games in the ultra-competitive Big East, fought Pittsburgh tooth-and-nail in the conference tournament, and unquestionably must feel they have something to prove after losing its last six games. Cincy played 14 games against opponents who went to the NCAA tournament, so it is entirely possible that the true quality of its record is comparable to that of Bradley.

The problems we see are these - Cincinnati may have gotten a certain measure of redemption already in that Big East tournament game after losing by 45 to U-Conn; Bradley is a team that is now at full strength, and they are proficient enough from the line (74.5%) and the arc (9.2 threes per game) to get out to leads and extend them. Cincinnati has gone though an awful string where it has been under 40% for the last four games, and while they will most likely find room against Bradley, it won't be enough.

We'll lay the points with Bradley, the six-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: BRADLEY

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)