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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St. John’s Red Storm vs. Stony Brook Seawolves Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 7th 2023

The instant Rick Pitino arrived to coach St. John’s on March 20, expectations were raised for a program without an NCAA Tournament win since 2000. After a busy offseason highlighted by a roster revamp, the highly anticipated Pitino era gets underway on Tuesday night when the Red Storm host Stony Brook in the season opener for both teams in New York. “Everyone is looking forward to it,” Pitino said last month. “There is an anticipation
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Indiana Hoosiers vs. Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 7th 2023

As it comes off a 23-win campaign, Indiana will feature several new faces when it opens its season against Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday evening in Bloomington, Ind. The Hoosiers will welcome newcomers Kel’el Ware, Mackenzie Mgbako and Gabe Cupps. Ware is a sophomore transfer from Oregon who was a McDonald’s All-American in 2022, and Mgbako is a true freshman who earned McDonald’s All-American status last season. Indiana coach Mike Woodson hopes the influx of
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Maryland Terrapins vs. Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 7th 2023

Maryland is not going to sneak up on anybody this season. A year ago, the Terrapins tied for fifth in the Big Ten Conference after being ranked 10th in the preseason poll. Maryland then earned a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament and fell 73-51 to top-seeded Alabama in the second round. This year, the Terps placed third in the preseason poll behind Purdue and Michigan State, and they will look to extend their
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UCLA Bruins vs. St. Francis (PA) Red Flash Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

UCLA will open its final season before joining the Big Ten Conference when the Bruins welcome non-conference opponent St. Francis (Pa.) to Los Angeles on Monday night. The Bruins posted a 31-6 record overall and an 18-2 mark in the Pac-12 Conference a season ago and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. They underwent more offseason roster changes than any previous campaign in head coach Mick Cronin’s tenure, however. UCLA replaces All-American Jaime
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Washington St. Cougars vs. Idaho Vandals Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Washington State welcomes nine newcomers this season, including one player from Idaho, which will play at Pullman, Wash., on Monday night in the Battle of the Palouse. The two schools, separated by eight miles, took a season off in their longstanding rivalry last season. They will meet for the 278th time, with Washington State leading the series 167-110. Isaac Jones, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, averaged 19.4 points and 7.8 rebounds a game last season for
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Utah Utes vs. Eastern Washington Eagles Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Eastern Washington’s arduous non-conference schedule — which includes trips to Ole Miss and Cincinnati as well as contests against five Pac-12 teams — will begin Monday night vs. Utah in Salt Lake City. The Utes posted a 17-15 overall record and a 10-10 Pac-12 mark last season in Craig Smith’s second year as their head coach. That was an improvement from an 11-20, 4-16 record in his first campaign. Two-time All-Pac-12 center Branden Carlson is
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Mississippi Rebels vs. Alabama St. Hornets Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

The Chris Beard era begins Monday night in Oxford, Miss., and likely will be defined early on by defense. The 50-year-old former Texas and Texas Tech coach and his Rebels, who host Alabama State Monday night, added transfer Jamarion Sharp and is awaiting the NCAA’s decision on two others on the squad — Brandon Murray and Moussa Cisse. A pairing of the 7-foot-5 Sharp, who arrives from Western Kentucky, and 7-footer Cisse (Oklahoma State, Memphis)
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Missouri Tigers vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Missouri posted a 25-10 record and reached the NCAA Tournament last season despite struggling with interior defense and rebounding. The Tigers ranked 360th among Division I schools last season with a minus-7.2 rebounding differential. They addressed that shortcoming by landing 7-foot-5 Connor Vanover in the transfer portal and recruiting freshmen Jordan Butler, a 7-foot center, and Trent Pierce, a 6-foot-10 wing player. They will feature their bigger look on Monday when they open their season
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Louisiana State Tigers vs. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

LSU head coach Matt McMahon is hoping for significant improvement from his team in his second season. The Tigers posted a 14-19 record overall and 2-16 mark in Southeastern Conference play in 2022-23. They open the new season against Mississippi Valley State on Monday night in Baton Rouge, La. McMahon knows what happens in the early season can be misleading as far as what’s going to occur in the SEC. Last season LSU went 11-1

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
2024-11-29 14:00
Open
TCU
2 PICKS
COLORADO STATE
CBB
2024-11-29 14:30
Open
PITTSBURGH
3 PICKS
OHIO STATE
CBB
2024-11-29 16:30
Open
ARKANSAS STATE
1 PICKS
INDIANA 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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