posted March 19, 2008 at 16:44 in NCAA B Free Picks

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Nebraska -9.5, Total 127

Two teams who ended their respective seasons on a nice upswing will do battle on Wednesday night, when the Charlotte 49ers (20-13 SU, 19-11 ATS) of the Atlantic 10 Conference meet up with the Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-12 SU, 11-12 ATS) of the Big 12 Conference, in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), set to tip off at 9 PM ET at the Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.

In the BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds, Nebraska is listed as a 9.5-point favorite, with a total of 127 points.

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

* CHAR has won and covered five of its last six games

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

* CHAR has lost 18 of its last 25 road games SU

* CHAR has played five of its last six road games UNDER the total

* NEB has covered seven of its last eight games

* NEB has played four of its last six games UNDER the total

* NEB has covered five of its last six home games

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

Often it's either a team from a mid-major or small major, or a club that recently suffered a big letdown that makes it to the NIT. But in this case, these teams had less post-season hope at the halfway point, then worked their way into a position where they could keep playing.

Charlotte had won five straight games going into the A-10 tourney, when they were beaten by hot Temple. The Niners went cold in that game, hitting just 27% of their shots. And that brings us to a big concern about them, because Nebraska is a team that does not let its opponents take easy shots (38% FG's allowed). Charlotte loves the outside shot, but they have gone through pockets of inconsistency (40% as a team).

It does look on the surface that there would be some value with the Charlotte side though, simply because of the hefty number. But in looking at Nebraska's schedule, you can see some definite home superiority, as this team, which has allowed just 56 points per game in Lincoln, has scored wins over the likes of Arizona State, Oregon, Kansas State and Oklahoma, three of those happening by nine points or more.

He don't see where the return of point guard Cookie Miller has made a huge difference for the Huskers, but the big guy in the middle (Aleks Maric) certainly is a key. And glowing words about Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz will never be written off this pen. We'll lay the points with Nebraska, the 9.5-point favorite in the BetUS March Madness betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: NEBRASKA

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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)