in NCAA B Betting Trends

NCAA Tournament - East Regional final @ Charlotte

BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds: North Carolina -5.5, Total 154.5

The Louisville Cardinals (27-8 SU, 20-11-1 ATS) for the championship of the NCAA Tournament's East Regional, to be held on Saturday at 9:05 PM ET at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

At BetUS Sportsbook, North Carolina is listed as a 5.5-point favorite, with a total of 154.5 points.

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

* LOU has won and covered 12 of its last 14 games

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

* NC has won its last 14 games SU

* NC has played three of its last four games OVER the total

* NC has played seven of its last 11 games OVER the total

North Carolina has arguably been the scariest team of any in the NCAA tournament. The Tar Heels chalked up 221 points in its first two games, which were blowouts over Mount St. Mary's and Arkansas. And they seemed to easily engage in the slower pace against Washington State on Thursday night, holding the Cougars to less than 32% shooting en route to a 68-47 win. Want to hear scary? Well, Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina's main go-to guy, had only two points at the half but his team still led by 15.

All that having been said, Louisville may still be the most impressive team in this tournament. The Cardinals stifled Boise State, the top shooting team in the country, from beyond the arc, then beat Oklahoma by 30 points. And on Thursday, they dusted off Tennessee by 19 points, crushing one of the best teams in the country in nearly every phase of the game. It's an illustration of the timing with which they have hit peak form in this tourney, a trademark of Rick Pitino's coaching. The Cards have now covered 12 of their last 14 games.

We recognize that North Carolina has multiple offensive weapons, like Wayne Ellington, who can go for 20 points or more on blistering shooting on any given night. And Ty Lawson has 2-1/2 times as many assists as turnovers. But not everything may go according to plan. Hansbrough is the guy they really want to get the ball to, and Louisville has more than enough big people to keep Hansbrough uncomfortable for all 40 minutes. Few teams North Carolina has faced boast as much front court depth as Louisville, and few teams can move the ball around like the Cards either, despite their 20 turnovers against Tennessee.

There are quite a few guys on the Louisville side who know how to score as well. Jerry Smith, a 43% career shooter from beyond the arc, is 8-of-15 from tripleville in this tournament. Earl Clark, an athletic 6'9" sophomore, had 17 points and 12 rebounds off the bench on Thursday. And list goes on and on.

Louisville has the marquee talent, the explosiveness, experience, long-range shooting, pressure defense, depth and size to battle North Carolina every step of the way. We look for them to advance to the Final Four.

So naturally, we're taking the points with Louisville, the 5.5-point underdog in the BetUS NCAA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: LOUISVILLE

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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)