NCAAB Picks, Predictions, & Previews

NCAA basketball is the second most popular college sport after football, and it attracts millions of viewers each season. Bettors love getting in on the action, especially during March Madness, the culmination of the NCAAB season. 

Choosing which teams to wager on can be a challenge, as there are far more college teams than there are in the NBA. But, bettors can take their wagers to the next level with a range of NCAAB picks, predictions, and previews. 

Latest Picks and Predictions

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Connecticut Huskies vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 5th 2023

There’s no doubt No. 5 UConn and No. 9 North Carolina have been tested in the first month of the season. Another exam awaits Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York as part of the Jimmy V Classic, when the Tar Heels and Huskies square off as part of a doubleheader of Top 25 matchups. Florida Atlantic and Illinois are meeting in the other game on Tuesday. UConn (7-1), the defending national champion,
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Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 5th 2023

When it comes to the perks Florida Atlantic earned following last season’s run to the Final Four, Tuesday’s ranks pretty high as the 13th-ranked Owls travel to New York to face No. 24 Illinois in the Jimmy V Classic opener. FAU coach Dusty May couldn’t help but muse about his program’s good fortune shortly after the Owls knocked off Charleston on Saturday night in the final of the Field of 68 Tip-Off. “I know that
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Tennessee Volunteers vs. George Mason Patriots Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 5th 2023

No. 17 Tennessee finds itself in an unusual position just seven games into the season — mired in a three-game losing streak. The Volunteers will try to snap that skid on Tuesday night when they open a three-game homestand against George Mason in Knoxville, Tenn. After beginning the campaign with four consecutive wins, including a victory in the opener of the Maui Invitational, Tennessee (4-3) lost to then-No. 2 Purdue and then-No. 1 Kansas in
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Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Arkansas St. Red Wolves Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 4th 2023

With two losses in the past three games, No. 23 Alabama will be in search of a defensive edge on Monday when Arkansas State pays a visit to Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Crimson Tide (5-2) were undefeated through four games before dropping a 92-81 decision to Ohio State on Nov. 24 in the Emerald Coast Classic at Destin, Fla. They also lost 85-77 at home to Clemson on Tuesday in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Mark Sears scored
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Purdue Boilermakers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 4th 2023

When Purdue returns to action Monday night in a Big Ten matchup against Iowa in West Lafayette, Ind., it probably won’t be as the No. 1 team in the nation. The Boilermakers opened conference play Friday night by losing at Northwestern for the second straight year. The 92-88 overtime setback canceled out a 35-point, 14-rebound performance by 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey, whose layup in the final seconds of regulation forced the extra session. But despite
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James Madison Dukes vs. Keystone Giants Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 3rd 2023

No. 22 James Madison is focused on making progress regardless of the situation it finds itself in. Sometimes the situation ends up being a meeting with a Division III opponent, which is exactly what the Dukes will be up against when they face Keystone College in Harrisonburg, Va., on Sunday afternoon. “My favorite thing is improving,” James Madison coach Mark Byington said. “I don’t get caught up in results. We’ve got to keep getting better
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Missouri Tigers vs. Wichita St. Shockers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 3rd 2023

With Missouri in the toughest portion of its nonconference schedule, coach Dennis Gates wants to see his players attacking the basket more aggressively. That was a point of emphasis for the Tigers (6-2) prepared to host Wichita State (7-1) on Sunday afternoon in Columbia, Mo. Missouri is coming off a 71-64 victory at Pittsburgh in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Tigers prevailed despite getting outscored 25-9 at the free-throw line. “We’ve gotta continue to attack the
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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 3rd 2023

The Cincinnati Bearcats look to match their longest unbeaten start in six years when they host the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles on Sunday. The Bearcats (6-0) are coming off a dramatic 86-81 overtime win at Howard on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., and then an on-campus accident two days later, when one of their players was struck by a vehicle. Viktor Lakhin scored a team-high 19 points while Dan Skillings Jr. added 16 and a key
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Appalachian St. Mountaineers vs. Auburn Tigers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 3rd 2023

Auburn has a nonconference schedule typical of an elite college basketball program. Seven games are at home, five are at neutral sites and one is a true road game. What’s not typical is the hostile arena Auburn (5-1) will visit on Sunday when the Tigers take on Appalachian State (5-2) in Boone, N.C. The last time the Mountaineers of the Sun Belt Conference hosted a power conference school was 23 years ago when they opened

Free NCAAB Picks Today

Here are some of our free NCAAB picks you can use. Our handicappers spend hours researching the best NCAAB picks and parlays each week of the season, so your chances of success are higher with our detailed data. 

CBB
2024-11-27 14:30
Final
TULSA
7 PICKS
GEORGIA STATE
CBB
2024-11-27 16:00
Final
MASSACHUSETTS
9 PICKS
HARVARD
CBB
2024-11-27 22:00
Open
LONG BEACH STATE
9 PICKS
SAN JOSE STATE

How to Get Expert NCAAB Picks

If you want more college basketball picks, consider signing up for one of our membership tiers. The Starter package starts at $9 per month and grants you access to consensus betting data and picks from some of our skilled handicappers. 

Alternatively, you can browse our selection of handicappers and choose one you like. Then, you can purchase their picks for a one-time fee!

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How to Choose a NCAAB Handicapper


Choosing the right handicapper is crucial for making informed betting decisions. Here are key factors to consider when evaluating handicappers:

Track Record and Transparency

Look for a handicapper with a proven track record of success. A good handicapper will provide detailed records of their past picks, including both wins and losses, so you can verify their consistency over time.

Specialization in NCAAB

Some handicappers excel in specific sports, so it’s important to find one who specializes in NCAA basketball. A handicapper with deep knowledge of NCAAB will be more in tune with the nuances of the sport, including player performances, team dynamics, and betting trends.

Detailed Analysis and Reasoning

The best handicappers don’t just give you picks—they explain why they’re making those picks. Look for those who provide thorough breakdowns of games, covering key stats, matchups, and situational factors that led to their recommendation.

Bankroll Management Guidance

A trustworthy handicapper will also offer advice on managing your bankroll. Whether it’s suggesting unit sizes or providing guidelines for staking based on confidence, they should promote responsible betting practices.

Consistency Over Hot Streaks

Avoid handicappers who promote short-term “hot streaks” without showing long-term consistency. Successful handicappers focus on steady profit over time rather than gambling on high-risk plays to maintain an appearance of success.

Avoid Handicappers Who Promise Guarantees

No one can guarantee wins in sports betting. Be wary of handicappers who promise a certain win rate or “lock” picks. A legitimate handicapper will be upfront about the inherent risks involved in betting.

 

Our Best NCAAB Handicappers

To find our best NCAAB handicappers, use the Leaderboard page when you’re logged into Scores and Stats. Then, using the table, select Basketball, NCAAB, and Lifetime to see our best handicappers. The table is naturally sorted by amount won, but you can sort by win percentage, total bets, and bets won. 

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Tony Finn is one of the highest-rated NCAAB handicappers on our list, with a 73.67% win rate overall. If you click on his name and sort his wagers by Basketball, NCAAB GM, you’ll see the breakdown of his wagers:

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Finn doesn’t place moneylines, instead, he places spread wagers, which have an impressive 78.6% win rate. Consider following his picks for spread wagers on college basketball. 

How Handicappers Find Value on NCAAB Games

Handicappers use a combination of statistical analysis, situational factors, and betting market insights to identify value in NCAA basketball (NCAAB) games. Finding value means pinpointing lines where the betting odds differ significantly from the perceived likelihood of an outcome. Here’s how handicappers approach NCAAB games to find these betting edges:

Advanced Statistical Models

Handicappers often rely on advanced statistical models that break down team and player performance beyond traditional metrics like points per game or win-loss records. They incorporate key metrics such as:

  • Adjusted Offensive and Defensive Efficiency: Measures a team’s scoring and defensive capabilities on a per-possession basis, adjusted for strength of schedule.
  • Pace of Play: The number of possessions a team averages per game. Slower-paced teams tend to have lower-scoring games, which can influence over/under totals.
  • Turnover Ratio and Rebounding Rates: These help in assessing how well a team controls possession, critical in tight games.

By analyzing these statistics, handicappers can better predict how teams will perform against each other, which leads to more accurate game predictions

Betting Market Inefficiencies

The betting public often overvalues well-known teams or high-profile players, leading to inefficient lines. Handicappers look for these moments of public bias and bet on the opposite side. For example, in games involving a highly ranked team, the point spread might be inflated because casual bettors disproportionately back the favorite. Handicappers can find value by taking the underdog in such situations, especially if their statistical models show the line is too generous.

Situational Handicapping

Situational factors also play a crucial role in finding value. NCAAB teams have packed schedules, and handicappers look at things like:

  • Rest vs. Fatigue: Teams playing back-to-back games or coming off a grueling stretch are more likely to underperform.
  • Travel Demands: Long road trips or games played at higher altitudes can affect team performance, giving an edge to the home team.
  • Letdown or Trap Games: If a team has just played a major opponent, they might overlook their next game, making them susceptible to an upset.

Handicappers use these nuances to spot favorable betting opportunities that might not be reflected in the odds

Line Movements and Sharp Money

Tracking line movements is a critical tool for NCAAB handicappers. Early line shifts can reveal where “sharp money”—bets placed by professional bettors—has influenced the market. When a line moves against public betting trends, it may signal that sharp bettors see value. Handicappers can follow this movement to identify where the most knowledgeable bettors are placing their money, allowing them to find value before the market adjusts fully.

KenPom and Other Analytical Resources

Handicappers frequently consult advanced data sources like KenPom, which offers in-depth team rankings and efficiency statistics. By cross-referencing proprietary models with public databases, they can uncover discrepancies that signal value in certain betting markets. Sites like KenPom provide comprehensive breakdowns of a team’s efficiency, tempo, and more, giving bettors a clearer picture of a team’s actual strengths and weaknesses.

NCAAB Picks Consensus

Consensus data can be a valuable tool for NCAAB bettors by providing insight into how the public is betting on a particular game. This data shows the percentage of bets placed on each side, helping bettors gauge where the majority of the money is going. 

Savvy bettors can use consensus data to identify opportunities to go against the public, especially in cases where the betting line has moved due to heavy action on a popular team. By comparing consensus data with their own analysis, bettors can find situations where the public might be overvaluing a favorite or overlooking an underdog, allowing them to make more informed and strategic wagers.

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At Scores and Stats, we’ve partnered with a few sportsbooks to aggregate data about betting trends. This means you have access to consensus data for many NCAAB games, particularly during March Madness. You can easily see how much money is being wagered on spreads, moneylines, and totals, as well as where the sharp money is at. 

NCAAB Odds and Prices

When you sign up at Scores and Stats, you are granted access to the free membership tier. In this tier, you can view the average betting odds and scores for various NCAAB games, accessible from the side menu under Scores and Odds. 

This data is provided by our partner sportsbooks and helps bettors quickly see how lines are shifting without needing to switch tabs or log into their sportsbooks. 

Start Shooting Threes with Our NCAAB Picks

Betting on the NCAAB can be a lot of fun, especially during March Madness. However, choosing the right wagers can be a challenge if you’re not familiar with the ins-and-outs of each team. Thankfully, our team of handicappers brings together years of experience betting on the NCAAB. Use their picks and predictions to make more informed wagers on college basketball today.

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