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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Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 17th 2024

No. 20 Wisconsin will try to complete a regular-season sweep against Iowa when the teams meet in a Big Ten Conference matchup Saturday afternoon in Iowa City, Iowa. The Badgers (17-8, 9-5 Big Ten) are coming off a 62-54 win at home against Ohio State on Tuesday evening. The victory snapped a four-game skid, which included three losses on the road. Wisconsin center Steven Crowl said he and his teammates had the right mindset going
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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Brigham Young Cougars Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 17th 2024

No. 19 BYU is learning how to finish games as it hits the road to face Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Saturday. The Cougars (18-6, 6-5 Big 12) weathered late rallies in back-to-back victories over Kansas State and UCF after holding double-digit second-half leads in both games. Surviving UCF’s last-minute comeback proved especially challenging on Tuesday in Provo, Utah. BYU escaped with a 90-88 victory after the Knights knocked down four 3-pointers and made five
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West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Baylor Bears Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 17th 2024

Baylor is rounding into form after a three-game slide threatened to derail the Bears. No. 12 Baylor looks to make it five wins in six games since the bumpy stretch when it faces West Virginia on Saturday in Big 12 play at Morgantown, W.Va. The Bears (18-6, 7-4 Big 12) dropped to 3-3 in conference play before turning things around with a victory over UCF. Baylor then played four consecutive ranked teams, winning three of
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Iowa State Cyclones vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 17th 2024

No. 10 Iowa State looks to stay hot and stay atop the Big 12 Conference standings when it hosts dangerous Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon in Ames, Iowa. It’s the only contest of the regular season between the teams and could help to either cement Iowa State as a high seed in the NCAA Tournament or propel the Red Raiders back into the Top 25. The Cyclones (19-5, 8-3 Big 12) head home after a
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Oklahoma Sooners vs. Kansas Jayhawks Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 17th 2024

Both No. 6 Kansas and No. 25 Oklahoma are looking forward to taking some time off next week from the grind of the Big 12 Conference schedule. But first, they’ll have to get through their meeting Saturday in Norman, Okla. The Jayhawks are coming off a 79-50 whipping at the hands of Texas Tech on Monday, and are plenty beat up, having had just seven scholarship players available for the second consecutive game. “We’re beat
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Georgetown Hoyas vs. Villanova Wildcats Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 16th 2024

Brendan Hausen averages 6.6 points in just over 16 minutes per game off the bench for Villanova, but the sophomore guard has keyed his team’s recent turnaround. Hausen has scored in double figures and shot at least 50 percent in three straight games for the Wildcats (13-11, 6-7 Big East), who aim for their third win in four games when they visit Georgetown on Friday in Washington, D.C. Villanova entered February on a five-game losing
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Southern Illinois Salukis vs. Indiana St. Sycamores Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 17th 2024

No. 23 Indiana State has more work to do than expected to win the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title. Their lead cut in half after a shocking result Tuesday, the Sycamores travel to Carbondale, Ill., on Saturday night for a conference contest with Southern Illinois. Indiana State (22-4, 13-2 MVC) flubbed its first game as a ranked team in 45 years with an 80-67 home loss against an Illinois State team that entered the game
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Connecticut Huskies vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 17th 2024

Even though his team has rattled off 13 straight victories, UConn coach Dan Hurley realizes the next three weeks are going to be anything but easy. Half of the top-ranked Huskies’ final six games of the regular season are against teams currently in the Top 25, a tumultuous stretch that begins Saturday when UConn faces No. 4 Marquette in Hartford, Conn. Following the meeting with the Golden Eagles (19-5, 10-3 Big East), the Huskies will
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Maryland Terrapins vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 17th 2024

After a discouraging defensive showing over the weekend, coach Brad Underwood said No. 14 Illinois didn’t spend one second of practice on offense for two days. The emphasis on guarding worked wonders the next time Illinois took the court. Now, one of the best teams in the Big Ten Conference has won four of five heading into Saturday’s trip to play Maryland in College Park, Md. Illinois (18-6, 9-4 Big Ten) went basket for basket

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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