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. Mary’s Gaels vs. Weber St. Wildcats Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 12th 2023

Aidan Mahaney enjoyed a solid freshman campaign and aims to deliver even more often in his second season with No. 23 Saint Mary’s. The sharpshooting guard is off to a strong start, and he will seek another solid performance when the Gaels entertain Weber State on Sunday night in Moraga, Calif. Mahaney matched his career highs of 25 points and five 3-pointers as Saint Mary’s (2-0) knocked off visiting New Mexico 72-58 Thursday night. It
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Seton Hall Pirates vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Knights Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 11th 2023

Seton Hall ultimately won its season opener despite struggling with one local opponent that shocked the world in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. The Pirates face another local opponent that made history and hopes to get another win Saturday afternoon when Fairleigh Dickinson visits South Orange, N.J. Seton Hall (1-0), which was picked ninth in the Big East’s preseason poll, struggled for portions of their 70-59 win over St. Peter’s on Monday in Newark N.J. Facing
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Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Texas Southern Tigers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 11th 2023

Arizona State will try to rebound from a 15-point loss in its season opener to Mississippi State when it hosts Texas Southern on Saturday at Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils (0-1), in Bobby Hurley’s ninth season as the head coach, struggled from 3-point range (shooting 5 of 21) and shot 32.1 percent from the field overall in the 71-56 loss to the Bulldogs in Chicago. Hurley’s team includes only three returnees from last season and
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Western Carolina Catamounts Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 11th 2023

When Micah Shrewsberry took over the Notre Dame program from longtime coach Mike Brey in March, he needed to find a lot of new players to fill the roster. Point guard Markus Burton wasn’t one of them. Burton, who earned Indiana’s 2023 Mr. Basketball award, stuck with the commitment he made to Brey in July 2022. He paid immediate dividends by delivering the highest-scoring freshman debut in Irish history with his 29-point effort Monday against
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Creighton Bluejays vs. North Dakota State Bison Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 11th 2023

The season debut for No. 8 Creighton was a walk in the park. The Bluejays anticipate receiving more resistance on Saturday afternoon when they face North Dakota State at Omaha, Neb. Creighton rolled to an easy 105-54 victory over Florida A&M in Tuesday’s opener. The Bluejays owned a massive 53-21 edge on the boards. Trey Alexander scored 20 points and Ryan Kalkbrenner recorded his 200th career blocked shot. Only Benoit Benjamin (411 in three seasons
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Houston Cougars vs. Texas A&M CC Islanders Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 11th 2023

During the current run of excellence that has resulted in Houston being the nation’s second-winningest program since 2017-18, the Cougars have built and sustained a reputation for defensive might. In their season opener against UL Monroe on Monday, the seventh-ranked Cougars fashioned an 84-31 victory. The effort matched the third-fewest points yielded in Houston history and the fewest since the Cougars defeated Texas A&M 38-29 on Dec. 8, 1951. The defensive performance was as familiar
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Connecticut Huskies vs. Stonehill Skyhawks Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 11th 2023

No. 6 UConn may already have found its replacement for Adama Sanogo. Now on a two-way deal with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, Sanogo was the Huskies’ leading scorer from a season ago. He averaged 17.2 points per game, playing an instrumental role in bringing another national championship to the Storrs, Conn., school. Luckily for UConn, Samson Johnson could be emerging as Sanogo’s successor. Johnson, a 6-foot-10 junior forward, showed plenty of potential in the Huskies’
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California Golden Bears vs. Pacific Tigers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 10th 2023

Cal won a game of NCAA roulette on Thursday and immediately became a better team. The Golden Bears found out that Texas Tech transfer Jaylon Tyson won his eligibility appeal and will be able to play, starting Friday night when they host Pacific in Berkeley, Calif. The 6-foot-7 Tyson averaged 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Red Raiders last season, connecting on 40.2 percent of his 3-point shots. He will offer another weapon to
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UCLA Bruins vs. Lafayette Leopards Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 10th 2023

UCLA continues a three-game homestand to open the season when it faces Lafayette on Friday in Los Angeles. The Bruins (1-0) opened their campaign on Monday with a 75-44 blowout of Saint Francis (Pa.) behind 28 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots from Adem Bona. The big man was key to UCLA putting up a dominant 48-12 advantage on points in the paint. Bona’s four blocks also contributed to a stingy defensive effort; the

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
2024-12-25 20:30
Open
OREGON STATE
6 PICKS
NEBRASKA

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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