in NCAA B Betting Trends

BetUS NCAA college basketball betting odds:  Arizona State -6, Total 116

The Southern Illinois Salukis (18-14 SU, 15-14-3 ATS) will make the trip out west on Thursday night, as they will visit the Arizona State Sun Devils (20-12 SU, 15-13 ATS) in a second-round matchup in the national Invitation Tournament (NIT) that is scheduled to tip off at Midnight ET (9 PM Pacific) from the Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe.

At BetUS Sportsbook, Arizona State is listed as a six-point favorite, with a total of 116 points.

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

* SIU has covered five of its last seven games
* SIU has won six of its last eight games SU
* SIU has played four of its last six games UNDER the total
* SIU has covered four of its last six road games
* SIU has lost 11 of its last 14 road games SU
* SIU has played its last five road games OVER the total
* ASU has played four of its last six games UNDER the total
* ASU has won 15 of its last 19 home games SU

In the opening round, freshman James Harden showed good form and Arizona State kind of coasted in a 64-53 win over Alabama State. And we must admit some surprise at the way Southern Illinois simply smothered the Oklahoma State offensive attack in its 69-53 win, holding the Cowboys to just 35% from the field and 4-for-25 from three-point range.

Herb Sendek's Princeton-style offense has to be to the Salukis' liking, because it allows them to set up in the half-court and perhaps execute some traps. You've got to admit that Southern Illinois does its best work at home, but the Salukis allow only seven points more per game on the road. (64, as opposed to 57). However, there were only three straight-up wins and four covers in 14 games away from Carbondale, and only on win over a quality program (Bradley). Most of the other efforts were disappointing.

That's because SIU's offense often fails it. As it is, they're shooting less than 43% from the field, and enjoy only rare "outbursts" like the 50% they hit against shellshocked Oklahoma State on Tuesday. With only 58 ppg in road games, it won't take much of an explosion from someone like Harden to create some distance, especially if ASU is so motivated.

We're going to lay the points here with March Madness betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY:   ARIZONA STATE

(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com gives it the old college try as a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)

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