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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Washington St. Cougars vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 18th 2023

Mississippi State is gaining attention among those who contribute to the polls. A win against Washington State on Saturday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off in Uncasville, Conn., might just be enough to lift the Bulldogs into the Associated Press Top 25. Mississippi State (3-0) opened the season with an impressive 71-56 victory against Arizona State. The Bulldogs followed that up with lopsided wins against UT-Martin and North Alabama. A key area of improvement
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Georgetown Hoyas vs. Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 18th 2023

Georgetown looks to bounce back from a pair of losses when it hosts Mount St. Mary’s on Saturday afternoon in Washington, D.C. After a home loss to Holy Cross last Saturday, the Hoyas (1-2) traveled to New Jersey and dropped a 71-60 decision to Rutgers on Wednesday. The Hoyas fell behind by 13 in the first half before rallying to within two at 31-29. Rutgers led by six at intermission and pulled away in the
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Xavier Musketeers vs. Washington Huskies Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Washington and Xavier will meet Friday in Las Vegas for a semifinal-round matchup of the Continental Tire Main Event, both looking to rebound from losses. Washington (2-1) is coming off an 83-76 defeat at home last Sunday against Nevada. The Huskies dug an 11-point hole at halftime versus the Wolf Pack, which proved insurmountable. Washington coach Mike Hopkins said in his weekly press conference on Monday he was “more optimistic after watching the game” on
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South Carolina Gamecocks vs. DePaul Blue Demons Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Despite having nine new players this season, South Carolina carries an unbeaten record into Friday’s game with DePaul in the inaugural Arizona Tipoff at Glendale, Ariz. The Gamecocks, in their second year under coach Lamont Paris, are coming off a 74-64 win over visiting VMI on Monday. The victory gave the program its first 3-0 start in four years. The only returning player in the starting lineup is Meechie Johnson, who had 13 points against
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Stanford Cardinal vs. Eastern Washington Eagles Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Eastern Washington’s brutal season-opening stretch is about to come to a close. At least momentarily. The Eagles (0-3) are scheduled to play at Stanford (2-1) on Friday night before finally getting a home game against NAIA Walla Walla University. After that will be trips to Washington State, Southern California and Air Force before a home date with Portland Bible College. The Eagles will then have games at Cal Poly and Washington before opening Big Sky
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Mississippi Rebels vs. Sam Houston St. Sam Houston Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Ole Miss coach Chris Beard can think of a couple of areas where he would like to see his team improve. Nonetheless, the Rebels keep finding ways to win as they conclude a season-opening, four-game homestand by facing Sam Houston on Friday night in Oxford, Miss. Ole Miss (3-0) escaped with a 70-69 victory against Detroit Mercy on Tuesday behind Jaylen Murray’s 22 points and seven assists. Beard said the Titans earned their advantage at
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Texas Christian Horned Frogs vs. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

The TCU Horned Frogs are looking for a 4-0 start, which would be the program’s best opening since 2020-21, as they face winless Mississippi Valley State in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday night. TCU hasn’t won more than four in a row to start a season since beginning 12-0 in 2017-18. The Horned Frogs are coming off an 88-55 home win over UT Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday. TCU outscored the Vaqueros 55-33 in the
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Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Porter Moser rebuilt his Oklahoma roster in the offseason, adding six transfers. Many have played significant roles in the Sooners’ 3-0 start, and they must continue to make a big impact if Oklahoma is to make its first NCAA Tournament since Moser took over before the 2021-22 season. Heading into a Friday night game against UT Rio Grande Valley in Norman, Okla., Moser said the Sooners’ depth has been one of the biggest differences so
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Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Central Arkansas C. Ark Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Vanderbilt seeks a three-game winning streak when it hosts Central Arkansas in Nashville, Tenn., on Friday evening. The Commodores (2-1) nearly blew an 18-point lead while defeating UNC Greensboro 74-70 on Tuesday. Ezra Manjon scored 24 points and hit all 12 of his foul shots for Vanderbilt, while Colin Smith added 13 points and 11 rebounds. Vanderbilt has struggled without preseason second-team All-Southeastern Conference guard Tyrin Lawrence, forward Ven-Allen Lubin and Lee Dort, none of

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. 

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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