2008 March Madness Tournament Odds - Kansas vs UNLV
by Charles Jay
BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: Kansas -14.5, Total 136
In second-round NCAA tourament action, the UNLV Rebels (27-7 SU, 18-12-1 ATS) at the Qwest Center in Omaha, in a Saturday game that begins at 6:50 PM ET.
At BetUS Sportsbook, Kansas is listed as a 14.5-point favorite, with a total of 136 points.
Here are some of the NCAA college basketball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* UNLV is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine games
* UNLV has won eight of its last nine games SU
* UNLV has played four of its last five games OVER the total
* KAN has covered five of its last seven games
* KAN has won its last eight games SU
* KAN has played five of its last eight games OVER the total
The Rebels were about as impressive as any team in its first-round game, holding Kent State to just ten first-half points in what was an unexpected cakewalk. But in that contest the usually sure-handed rebs (10.8 TO's per game) turned it over 19 times. That's the most they've coughed it up this season. UNLV's focus can't possibly be the inside game; there is no starter over 6'7" and one of those guys, forward Joe Darger, likes to fire from the outside (four 3-pointers vs. Kent State).
Kansas is good at making its opponents defend it all over the court. Darrell Arthur, a versatile 6'9" forward (13.4 ppg) was a pre-season All-American, and Brandon Rush, who was touted by some with the same designation but had an off-year, scored 18 against Portland State in the "ceremonial" opener. Throw in distributor Mario Chalmers and all the others and you have all the balance in the world.
A team is going to need a size edge or be able to play the bump-and-grind to be able to beat Kansas. UNLV doesn't really fit wither description. The Rebs will have a hard time controlling the pace against a Jayhawk team that averages 81.6 ppg.
I'll lay the points with the NCAA college basketball betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: KANSAS
Go to the 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)
