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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Baylor Bears vs. Clemson Tigers Pick & Prediction MARCH 24th 2024

MEMPHIS — Baylor gave Colgate the assortment pack Friday. The Bears hit 16 3-pointers, canned 63 percent of their 2-point shots and also controlled the boards en route to an emphatic 92-67 first-round win in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament. Things figure to get tougher now for third-seeded Baylor, starting Sunday at FedEx Forum in a second-round clash with sixth-seeded Clemson. “Expect the unexpected,” Bears coach Scott Drew said. “That’s March Madness. I
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Duke Blue Devils vs. James Madison Dukes Pick & Prediction MARCH 24th 2024

NEW YORK — Duke has made 28 appearances in the Sweet 16, reached the Final Four 17 times and won five national championships. Yet it may be the team nicknamed the Dukes that takes the court with the most confidence Sunday. Duke will look to return to the Sweet 16 and James Madison will attempt to get there for the first time when the two teams clash in a South Region second-round game at Barclays
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Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Duquesne Dukes Pick & Prediction MARCH 23rd 2024

Illinois and Duquesne last faced off in the NCAA Tournament during the Truman administration. Before Thursday, the Dukes’ most recent tourney win came months before man landed on the moon. That’s historic, to be sure, but crafting a new narrative is the focus for both programs lately. On Saturday, one can advance that objective as Illinois meets Duquesne in an NCAA Tournament second-round game in Omaha, Neb. The third-seeded Fighting Illini (27-8) realize they’ll be
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Kansas Jayhawks vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Pick & Prediction MARCH 23rd 2024

Two of the top programs this century meet for just the third time when Kansas and Gonzaga battle for a Sweet 16 spot in Midwest Region play on Saturday in Salt Lake City. The fourth-seeded Jayhawks and fifth-seed Bulldogs are the only teams to win at least one game in each of the past 15 NCAA Tournaments. Gonzaga (26-7) is attempting to reach its ninth consecutive Sweet 16. The Mark Few-coached Bulldogs have won 10
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NC State Wolfpack vs. Oakland Golden Grizzlies Pick & Prediction MARCH 23rd 2024

PITTSBURGH — Oakland University was so far off the map before Thursday that casual fans of the NCAA Tournament needed reminding the school is in Michigan — not California. The Golden Grizzlies received the No. 14 seed in the South Region, knocked off third-seeded Kentucky and became the latest small school to enter the March Madness pantheon. “This changed everything,” coach Greg Kampe said Thursday. “There’s nobody in the country that doesn’t know what Oakland
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Arizona Wildcats vs. Dayton Flyers Pick & Prediction MARCH 23rd 2024

The Dayton equipment managers could be excused if they were ready to start packing the bags and loading the bus with 7:39 left in Thursday’s game. The Flyers trailed Nevada by 17 points and were showing no signs of a comeback or wanting to remain in Salt Lake City for Saturday’s second-round contest. But Dayton exploded on a game-ending 24-4 run to nab an improbable victory. Now the seventh-seeded Flyers (25-7) will face second-seeded Arizona
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Seton Hall Pirates vs. North Texas Mean Green Eagles Pick & Prediction MARCH 23rd 2024

Seton Hall was among the Big East schools left out of the NCAA Tournament bracket, drawing criticism from within the league. After coach Shaheen Holloway consulted with his veteran starters and seniors, the top-seeded Pirates opted to keep playing in the NIT and were successful in an opening-round game. The Pirates will attempt to advance in the tournament Saturday when they host North Texas in South Orange, N.J. The Pirates (21-12) recovered from the disappointment
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Tennessee Volunteers vs. Texas Longhorns Pick & Prediction MARCH 23rd 2024

CHARLOTTE — This is practically a homecoming of various proportions for Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. He has brought his Volunteers to his native North Carolina for the NCAA Tournament, and now he’ll send them to the court against his former team for a Midwest Region second-round game Saturday night. Second-seeded Tennessee (25-8) will meet seventh-seeded Texas (21-12) with the right to advance to the Sweet 16. “I’ve got great respect for my time at the
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North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Michigan St Spartans Pick & Prediction MARCH 23rd 2024

CHARLOTTE — The West Region will produce a second-round game ripe with NCAA Tournament history when North Carolina clashes with Michigan State on Saturday. The big-time matchup seemed to have everyone’s attention as soon as it was clear that both teams would take care of matters in the opening round. “The second round has always been real,” North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said. “When it gets down to the round of 32, there’s only 32

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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