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

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Tulsa -3.5, Total 122

The Miami Redhawks (17-15 SU, 17-14 ATS) will try to take care of business in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) on Wednesday night when they take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (20-13 SU, 15-12-1 ATS) in a game that is set to tip off at 8 PM ET at the Reynolds Center in Tulsa.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Tulsa is listed as a 3.5-point favorite, with a total of 122 points.

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

* MIA-O has won and covered four of its last six games

* MIA-O has played five of its last seven games OVER the total

* MIA-O has covered six of its last eight road games

* MIA-O has lost nine of its last 13 road games SU

* TUL has won four of its last five games SU

* TUL has played four of its last five games UNDER the total

* TUL has own its last seven home games SU

* TUL has covered its last six home games

Tulsa is looking for redemption, having been blown out in the Conference USA tournament by Memphis (77-51). They'll probably come in here with an offensive edge, as Ben Uzoh, averaging over 15 points per game, leads a balanced attack. Tulsa has been a strong home performer, covering its last six as the host, and as we know, in the NIT there are no games on neutral sites until the final four teams get together at Madison Square Garden.

Yes, trends would seem to favor Tulsa, but there may be an emotional advantage on Miami's side. For the last four games, the Redhawks have been without head coach Charlie Coles, who is sidelined with a heart ailment. the team has played inspired basketball since then for interim mentor Jermaine Henderson, beating Buffalo and Bowling Green to close the season, then beating Ohio in the MAC tourney before falling to Kent State, the eventual conference champ.

The key to a win for Miami is in slowing the Tulsa offense down. And they've been able to keep the pace to their liking against most opponents, surrendering just 61.4 ppg on the road, which is tenth lowest in the nation. And don't count on Miami giving Tulsa many cheap opportunities either (just 12.3 turnovers a game).

This could wind up being a frustrating experience for the Golden Hurricane, and we'll grab the points with Miami of Ohio, the 3.5-point underdog in the BetUS NCAAB betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: MIAMI-OHIO

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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)