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. Minnesota Golden Gophers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 25th 2024

A pair of Big Ten teams will try to improve their NCAA Tournament resumes when Minnesota tips off against Nebraska on Sunday evening in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska (19-8, 9-7) has won three games in a row, including a pair of home contests against Michigan and Penn State and a road game against Indiana. The Cornhuskers are one victory away from securing their first 20-win season since the 2017-18 campaign. They will try to do so
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Michigan St Spartans vs. Ohio St. Buckeyes Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 25th 2024

A coaching change led to Ohio State’s biggest win of the season. The Buckeyes came crashing back to earth in their subsequent outing. Their third game under interim coach Jake Diebler comes on Sunday afternoon when they visit Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. Ohio State (15-12, 5-11 Big Ten) stunned conference leader Purdue 73-69 last Sunday in Diebler’s debut after the team fired Chris Holtmann. That was followed by an 88-79 road loss to
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Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Maryland Terrapins Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 25th 2024

It’s been a down season for Maryland and Rutgers, two teams that joined the Big Ten conference together a decade ago and have had their fair shares of basketball success. Both teams are on two-game slides as they enter Sunday’s rematch in Piscataway, N.J., with visiting Maryland out for revenge after losing the first meeting. Maryland (14-13, 6-10 Big Ten) shot an ugly 17-of-54 overall (31.5 percent) and 2-for-18 from the 3-point arc in a
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Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Xavier Musketeers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 25th 2024

Marquette hopes to continue enjoying the comforts of home when the seventh-ranked Golden Eagles host Xavier in a Big East matchup on Sunday in Milwaukee. Marquette (20-6, 11-4 Big East) routed DePaul 105-71 on Wednesday night to improve to 12-1 at home. The Golden Eagles bounced back from an 81-53 shellacking at top-ranked UConn in their previous outing. Xavier (13-13, 7-8) lost at home to Providence 79-75 on Wednesday. The Musketeers rallied with six consecutive
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Michigan Wolverines vs. Purdue Boilermakers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 25th 2024

Worst meets first in the Big Ten Conference on Sunday afternoon when No. 3 Purdue travels to take on last-place Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. Purdue (24-3, 13-3 Big Ten) improved to 14-0 at home Thursday night, charging to a 96-68 victory over a Rutgers team that was ranked second nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. Meanwhile, short-handed Michigan (8-19, 3-13) fell 76-62 to Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., the Wolverines’ ninth loss in 10 games. Purdue
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St. John’s Red Storm vs. Creighton Bluejays Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 25th 2024

In the past week, Creighton and St. John’s made national headlines for significantly different reasons. The 15th-ranked Bluejays earned positive press for their first win over a top-ranked opponent. The Red Storm, meanwhile, wound up in the spotlight due to a lengthy postgame rant by frustrated first-year coach Rick Pitino. Creighton hopes to follow up its most impressive win of the season and get a fifth straight victory Sunday afternoon when it visits St. John’s.
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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Oklahoma Sooners Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 24th 2024

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have been heading in different directions most of the season. That’s the case again entering Saturday’s matchup between the two in Stillwater, Okla. But this time, it’s Oklahoma State that is surging and the visiting Sooners who are trying to find their footing. The Cowboys come in on a two-game winning streak and have won four of their last seven after starting out 0-6 in Big 12 play. A big part
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Kansas Jayhawks vs. Texas Longhorns Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 24th 2024

No. 9 Kansas has appeared vulnerable on the road this season, but the Jayhawks return to Allen Fieldhouse, where they are 14-0 this season, for a matchup with Texas Saturday evening in Lawrence, Kan. The Jayhawks (20-6, 8-5 Big 12) defeated then-No. 25 Oklahoma 67-57 on Feb. 17 to snap a four-game road losing streak. Texas held off Kansas State 62-56 in its last game Monday after suffering a 21-point loss at Houston two days
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Penn St. Nittany Lions vs. Indiana Hoosiers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 24th 2024

First-year Penn State coach Mike Rhoades got the type of program-building win Wednesday night that can sustain a program throughout the long offseason. Down 10 with 2 1/2 minutes left against No. 12 Illinois, the Nittany Lions stormed back and used a spate of turnovers to score a stunning 90-89 win at their old home gym, Rec Hall. Penn State (13-14, 7-9) will try to build on that result and get back to the .500

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
2024-11-24 12:00
Open
PORTLAND STATE
3 PICKS
WOFFORD
CBB
2024-11-24 13:00
Open
WILLIAM & MARY
2 PICKS
APPALACHIAN STATE
CBB
2024-11-24 17:30
Open
MIDDLE TENN ST
2 PICKS
BRADLEY

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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