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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Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Indiana Hoosiers Pick & Prediction MARCH 15th 2024

Since entering the Big Ten prior to the 2011-12 season, Nebraska hasn’t exactly draped itself in conference tournament glory. The Cornhuskers have won just five of their 17 games in Big Ten postseason play. They haven’t posted a victory in this 14-team festival since 2019. They’ve never made it past the quarterfinals. But because the Huskers (22-9) received a double bye — their reward for earning the No. 3 seed — they took the express
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North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Pick & Prediction MARCH 15th 2024

Pitt has been making its case for inclusion into the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers could just about end any concerns on that topic with another victory, and that would have to come against No. 4-ranked North Carolina when the teams meet in the Atlantic Coast Conference semifinals Friday night in Washington, D.C. “As long as we keep winning, then we increase our chances of getting in,” Pitt coach Jeff Capel said. Top-seeded North Carolina (26-6)
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Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio St. Buckeyes Pick & Prediction MARCH 15th 2024

No. 13 Illinois effectively has punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament, but don’t suggest to coach Brad Underwood that his team’s play in the Big Ten tournament is irrelevant. After enjoying a bye for the first two rounds, the second-seeded Fighting Illini (23-8) will meet 10th-seeded Ohio State (20-12)) in quarterfinal action Friday night in Minneapolis. The Buckeyes never trailed in their 90-78 upset of seventh-seeded Iowa in the second round on Thursday night.
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Connecticut Huskies vs. St. John’s Red Storm Pick & Prediction MARCH 15th 2024

NEW YORK — While UConn is dominating most opponents during its five-game winning streak, no other Big East team may be hotter than St. John’s. In the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time since 2000, fifth-seeded St. John’s will put its six-game winning streak on the line and will attempt to improve its standing for an NCAA Tournament berth on Friday night when it faces the top-seeded Huskies. UConn, in turn, is
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Auburn Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Pick & Prediction MARCH 15th 2024

No. 12 Auburn earned a double bye in the Southeastern Conference tournament by finishing in a tie for second place during the regular season. The fourth-seeded Tigers will finally play their first game when they face 15th-ranked and fifth-seeded South Carolina in the quarterfinals on Friday in Nashville. Auburn (24-7) wasn’t able to focus on its first opponent until the Gamecocks (26-6) defeated 12th-seeded Arkansas 80-66 in second-round action late Thursday afternoon. “The players have
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Northwestern Wildcats vs. Wisconsin Badgers Pick & Prediction MARCH 15th 2024

Northwestern carries an uncertain NCAA Tournament status despite securing the No. 4 seed for the Big Ten tournament in Minneapolis. A strong showing this week, beginning with a Friday quarterfinal against fifth-seeded Wisconsin, figures to bolster the Wildcats’ resume. All the better to help Boo Buie, the graduate student guard and program leading scorer, close his collegiate career with a shot at a national title. “We have a relationship that is really special to me,”
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Tennessee Volunteers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Pick & Prediction MARCH 15th 2024

The first quarterfinal of the Southeastern Conference tournament between top-seeded Tennessee and ninth-seeded Mississippi State on Friday in Nashville means vastly different things to each team. While the fifth-ranked Volunteers (24-7) aim to take the first step toward securing a potential No. 1 seed at next week’s NCAA Tournament, the Bulldogs could remove any doubt about an at-large selection by beating Tennessee for the second time this year. Mississippi State (20-12) earned the opportunity with
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Purdue Boilermakers vs. Michigan St Spartans Pick & Prediction MARCH 15th 2024

No. 3 Purdue begins its pursuit of a second straight Big Ten tournament championship when it faces Michigan State in a quarterfinal matchup on Friday in Minneapolis. The top-seeded Boilermakers (28-3) have posted five straight victories entering the tournament, and winning the title again surely would wrap up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Of course, Purdue coach Matt Painter isn’t interested in looking past the matchup with the eighth-seeded Spartans (19-13), who
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Colorado Buffaloes vs. Utah Utes Pick & Prediction MARCH 14th 2024

Colorado coach Tad Boyle kept it simple assessing the stakes for Thursday night’s Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal matchup with Utah in Las Vegas. “Win or go home,” he said. “You’re in the Pac-12 tournament, you lose, you’re done. You get to postseason play, you lose — you’re done.” That might go double or even triple for the third-seeded Buffaloes (22-9). Six straight wins have pushed them to a bevy of “Last four in” lists by bracketologists.

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
2024-11-23 16:00
Open
DETROIT
4 PICKS
WAKE FOREST
CBB
2024-11-23 17:00
Open
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
3 PICKS
DEPAUL
CBB
2024-11-23 22:00
Open
STANFORD
8 PICKS
SANTA CLARA

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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