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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Utah Utes vs. Arizona Wildcats Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 8th 2024

No. 8 Arizona defeated Utah by 19 points when the teams met earlier this season, but a change of venue might make all the difference in the rematch Thursday night in Salt Lake City. The Utes (15-7, 6-5 Pac-12) are 12-0 at home this season, including a 73-68 victory over Colorado on Saturday. It figures to be a raucous environment inside Huntsman Center as Arizona (17-5, 8-3) arrives with a one-game lead in the conference
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California Golden Bears vs. Southern California Trojans Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 7th 2024

Southern California looks to extend a lengthy string of success when it takes on Cal on Wednesday night in Pac-12 play at Berkeley, Calif. The Trojans (9-13, 3-8 Pac-12) will be shooting for their 12th consecutive victory over the Golden Bears (9-13, 5-6). USC also will be aiming for its sixth straight win at Haas Pavilion. Cal last defeated the Trojans 74-73 on Jan. 8, 2017, in Los Angeles. Its last home win (87-65) in
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NC State Wolfpack vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 7th 2024

To boost their resumes for the NCAA Tournament, Pitt and North Carolina State obviously need to stack up as many wins as they can. Wednesday night in Raleigh, N.C., will provide an opportunity for both Atlantic Coast Conference teams to do just that when the Wolfpack and Panthers square off. Whichever team wins will gain a Quadrant 2 victory, which is classified as a home win against any team positioned 31st through 75th in the
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Xavier Musketeers vs. Villanova Wildcats Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 7th 2024

Two teams hoping to make a late-season push for an NCAA Tournament bid meet will Wednesday night at Cincinnati when Xavier hosts Villanova in a Big East showdown. Xavier (12-10, 6-5) is coming off its second straight win, a 93-68 rout of DePaul at Chicago on Saturday night. The Musketeers were powered by the most prolific scoring performance of the season in the Big East, as grad student Quincy Olivari had a career-high 43 points
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Missouri Tigers vs. Texas A&M Aggies Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 7th 2024

When Texas A&M defeated Missouri earlier this season, the Aggies outscored the Tigers 27-7 at the free-throw line. Getting to the line — and converting — will be a major emphasis when the Aggies (13-8, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) visit the Tigers (8-14, 0-9) on Wednesday night in Columbia, Mo. Texas A&M shot just 15 of 24 (62.5 percent) from the line in its most recent game, a 67-66 victory over Florida on Saturday. “We need
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Northwestern Wildcats vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 7th 2024

The Big Ten Conference’s two biggest giant killers will face off Wednesday night when Northwestern hosts Nebraska in Evanston, Ill. Northwestern (15-7, 6-5 Big Ten) has wins this season over No. 2 Purdue and No. 10 Illinois, while Nebraska (16-7, 6-6) has knocked off Purdue and No. 11 Wisconsin. All of those wins have come in home games for the pair, where the Wildcats and Cornhuskers are a combined 25-2, including 11-0 in conference play.
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Syracuse Orange vs. Louisville Cardinals Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 7th 2024

Louisville got a much-needed victory in its most recent game, and Syracuse would love to do the same Wednesday night when the Orange host the Cardinals in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. The Cardinals (7-15, 2-9 ACC) are mired in another difficult season and had lost six straight games before defeating Florida State on Saturday. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield scored a career-high 29 points for Louisville in the 101-92 victory, while Ty-Laur Johnson had 27 points and
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Seton Hall Pirates vs. Georgetown Hoyas Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 7th 2024

As Seton Hall hopes to come back from its bye week both healthier and sharper, it will host a Georgetown team searching for answers amid a six-game losing streak on Wednesday in Newark, N.J. The Pirates (14-8, 7-4 Big East) last played Jan. 30, when they thrashed last-place DePaul 72-39 on the road to end a three-game slide. The biggest development that day was Kadary Richmond’s return from a two-game absence for unspecified “soreness.” Richmond,
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Providence Friars vs. Creighton Bluejays Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 7th 2024

When Providence hosts No. 19 Creighton on Wednesday night, the two teams will be looking to shake off Big East losses. However, the way those recent defeats transpired could not have been more different. Creighton (16-6, 7-4 Big East) shot 61.3 percent in the first half and had four players finish with 20-plus points, but Butler hit 62.5 percent from the floor in the second half to down the Bluejays 99-98 on Friday in Omaha,

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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