Big East Showdown: South Florida Bulls vs Georgetown Hoyas

Georgetown comes into this game with rest, and the last time they played, on Saturday, they ripped through the Cincinnati Bearcats to the tune of 74-47. However, before that the Hoyas suffered double-digit losses to West Virginia and Notre Dame, despite hitting better than 50% from the field in those games combined, and that is something that gets the attention of those in college basketball betting. Clearly they were beaten in many other phases of the game.

NCAA College Basketball Betting Odds: GEORGETOWN -7

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

• USF is 11-3-1 ATS in its last 15 games
• USF has won its last four games SU
• USF has played six of its last nine games UNDER the total
• GEO has covered two of its last six games
• GEO has lost four of its last six games SU
• GEO has played five of its last seven games UNDER the total
• USF has covered four of the last five meetings
• GEO has made more three-pointers in four of the last five meetings

Meanwhile, South Florida has won its last four games, and this team has gotten a second wind. The Bulls had won five out of six at one point, but then turned around and lost four of five after that. They closed the regular season well, although it was not against the best the Big East had to offer. Dominique Jones scored 20 points to pace the Bulls in their first-round win over DePaul (58-49), as the Blue Demons shot just 30%. That win gave USF its 20th win of the season. One of the good things about this kind of tournament is that a team like South Florida has a chance to beat ranked teams and vastly improve its credentials with the NCAA Selection Committee.

Get in on the action now – SIGN UP HERE

One of the ranked teams they beat was this Georgetown crew, and Jones highlighted the road win with 29 points. Georgetown got 21 points apiece from Austin Freeman and Greg Monroe, who are going to be the go-to guys again on Wednesday, but they got little from anyone else.

The Hoyas cannot be expected to let Jones run wild again (OK, at least they don't want him to), and it's likely that they will force some other guys to get involved, like Gus Gilchrist, who has been a good sidekick for Jones this season but was just one-for-eight in the win over DePaul. USF missed all eight attempts from the arc, and only 43% of free throws. Those things are a concern, because they won't have more spring in their legs playing in this back-to-back situation. If Gilchrist can bounce back, though, that is one component they didn't have against the Hoyas the first time.

During this four-game win streak, the Bulls have managed to win playing at an up-tempo pace (vs. Providence) and at a slower pace (yesterday). They have also been dangerous as an underdog, with a 10-5-1 ATS record in college basketball betting. Let's take South Florida plus the seven points, and look for a close one.

JAY'S PLAY: SOUTH FLORIDA +7 ***

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)