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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NC State Wolfpack vs. Syracuse Orange Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 20th 2024

North Carolina State plays host to Syracuse on Tuesday night in an Atlantic Coast Conference game at Raleigh, N.C., that has implications for both schools’ postseason chances. NC State (16-9, 8-6 ACC) scraped past Clemson 78-77 on Saturday to keep the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament hopes alive. NC State’s DJ Horne made a one-handed floater in the key for the game-winner with 9.8 seconds left. Syracuse (16-10, 7-8) is coming off a 65-60 road loss to
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Utah St. Aggies vs. San Diego St. Aztecs Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 20th 2024

First place in the Mountain West Conference is at stake on Tuesday night when No. 19 San Diego State visits Utah State in Logan, Utah. The Aztecs (20-6, 9-4 MWC) returned to the AP Top 25 poll on Monday and are tied for first with the Aggies (21-5, 9-4) with five regular-season games remaining for both teams. San Diego State knocked off then-No. 17 Utah State 81-67 on Feb. 3 in San Diego. “We’ll be
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Michigan St Spartans vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 20th 2024

Stuck in a win-one, lose-one rut during the last three weeks, Iowa will try to break the habit when it visits East Lansing, Mich., to face Michigan State on Tuesday night. The Hawkeyes posted an 88-86 overtime victory against Wisconsin on Saturday. They haven’t strung together consecutive wins since collecting three in a row from Jan. 6-15. They also haven’t absorbed consecutive defeats since falling to Purdue on Jan. 20 and then Maryland four days
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Villanova Wildcats vs. Butler Bulldogs Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 20th 2024

With consecutive victories for the first time since the start of the new year, Villanova looks to build off the success when it plays host to Butler on Tuesday. The Wildcats (14-11, 7-7 Big East) defeated Georgetown 70-54 on Friday, with the victory coming five days after they got past Seton Hall 80-54 at home. TJ Bamba scored 14 points for Villanova on Friday, Brendan Hausen added 12, Eric Dixon contributed 11 and Justin Moore
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Brigham Young Cougars vs. Baylor Bears Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 20th 2024

Ahead of facing No. 12 Baylor in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday night, No. 19 BYU finds itself searching for ways to shore up a suddenly porous defense. The Cougars (18-7, 6-6 Big 12) trailed wire to wire in a 93-83 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday after allowing the Cowboys to knock down 11 3-pointers and shoot 59.6 percent from the field. BYU trailed by as many as 20 points in the second half and
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UCLA Bruins vs. Utah Utes Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 18th 2024

UCLA is on a much different trajectory when it hosts Utah on Sunday in Pac-12 play in Los Angeles compared to the teams’ last meeting, which resulted in the Bruins’ worst loss in 27 years. The Utes (15-10, 6-8 Pac-12) destroyed UCLA on Jan. 11, 90-44, with a 57-21 second half. The loss sent the Bruins to their eighth loss in nine games. UCLA (14-11, 9-5) flipped its course immediately and ever since, winning eight
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St. John’s Red Storm vs. Seton Hall Pirates Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 18th 2024

Picked ninth in the preseason Big East poll, Seton Hall is in the mix for a top-four finish. St. John’s, on the other hand, is trying to avoid finishing toward the bottom half of the standings after expectations were raised under new coach Rick Pitino. Two teams on the NCAA bubble and trending differently convene Sunday in Elmont, N.Y. when ascending Seton Hall visits struggling St. John’s. The Pirates (16-9, 9-5 Big East) have won
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Indiana Hoosiers vs. Northwestern Wildcats Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 18th 2024

Northwestern entered the weekend as one of three schools with an unbeaten home record in Big Ten play. The Wildcats’ 1-6 mark in conference road games, however, is far less sterling. It’s something the team is aiming to improve upon as it battles for positioning in the Big Ten tournament and a possible NCAA Tournament berth. Northwestern (17-8, 8-6 Big Ten) gets its next chance with Sunday’s visit to Indiana (14-10, 6-7) in Bloomington, Ind.
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Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 17th 2024

Mississippi State finally won its first true road game of the season and won consecutive Southeastern Conference games for the first time this season. Now the Bulldogs (16-8, 5-6 SEC) will try to reach .500 in league play and strengthen their NCAA Tournament resume when they face Arkansas (12-12, 3-8) on Saturday in Starkville, Miss. Coach Chris Jans said the Bulldogs’ week-long break since a 75-51 win over Missouri came at “the perfect time,” though

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
Final
PORTLAND STATE
3 PICKS
WOFFORD
CBB
2024-11-24 13:00
Final
WILLIAM & MARY
2 PICKS
APPALACHIAN STATE
CBB
2024-11-24 13:00
Final
VILLANOVA
2 PICKS
MARYLAND

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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