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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Villanova Wildcats vs. Providence Friars Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 4th 2024

Villanova looks to snap a five-game losing streak when it hosts Providence on Sunday in Philadelphia. The Wildcats (11-10, 4-6 Big East) fell to No. 9 Marquette 85-80 on Tuesday. After starting 4-1 in the rugged Big East Conference, they have careened in the wrong direction. “We always want to be dialed into the details of the game,” Villanova coach Kyle Neptune said. “There are hundreds of plays that can be the difference between winning
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Arizona Wildcats vs. Stanford Cardinal Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 4th 2024

No. 11 Arizona will try to avenge one of its worst defeats of the season when it hosts Stanford on Sunday night in Tucson, Ariz. The Wildcats (16-5, 7-3 Pac-12) lost 100-82 at Stanford on Dec. 31, when the Cardinal set a school single-game record with 16 3-pointers. Freshman Kanaan Carlyle scored a then-career-high 28 points and made 6 of 8 shots from behind the arc. “Hopefully, they got our guys’ attention this time around,”
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Wisconsin Badgers vs. Purdue Boilermakers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 4th 2024

The top spot in the Big Ten will be at stake when No. 2 Purdue visits No. 6 Wisconsin on Sunday as the Badgers look to rebound from an upset loss. Purdue (20-2, 9-2 Big Ten) avenged one of its two defeats with a 105-96 overtime win over visiting Northwestern on Wednesday, scoring 24 points in the extra session. Wisconsin (16-5, 8-2) lost 80-72 in overtime at Nebraska on Thursday, blowing a 16-point halftime lead
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Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 4th 2024

At the start of the week, Nebraska clearly had the Big Ten’s toughest task: Knock off No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 14 Illinois to prove it belongs in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. The Cornhuskers achieved the first half of that improbable double with an 80-72 overtime win against the visiting Badgers on Thursday. Nebraska jumped from No. 60 to No. 55 in the NET rankings that influence the NCAA Tournament
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UCLA Bruins vs. Oregon Ducks Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 3rd 2024

Oregon can complete its first four-game, regular-season sweep of the Pac-12 Conference’s Los Angeles schools since the 2015-16 season with Saturday’s visit to UCLA, but the Ducks are up against one of the league’s hottest teams. The Bruins (10-11, 5-5 Pac-12) beat Oregon State 71-63 on Thursday for their fourth victory in the last five games. Dylan Andrews and Adem Bona each scored 18 points on Thursday — Andrews with 13 in the second half
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Arizona State Sun Devils vs. California Golden Bears Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 3rd 2024

Arizona State and California enter Saturday’s Pac-12 game at Tempe, Ariz., struggling as of late, especially the Sun Devils. Arizona State (11-10, 5-5 Pac-12) has lost five of its past six games, including Thursday’s 71-62 loss to visiting Stanford. California (8-13, 4-6) is coming off a 91-65 defeat at No. 11 Arizona on Thursday. The Golden Bears have lost three of their past five games. Arizona State was outscored by Stanford 42-29 in the second
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Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Northwestern Wildcats Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 3rd 2024

Northwestern will try to snap a three-game road skid when it visits Minnesota on Saturday afternoon in a Big Ten Conference showdown in Minneapolis. The Wildcats (15-6, 6-4 Big Ten) are coming off a 105-96 overtime loss against No. 2 Purdue on Wednesday night. The overtime defeat followed previous road losses against Nebraska on Jan. 20 and against then-No. 15 Wisconsin on Jan. 13. Northwestern coach Chris Collins praised his players for taking the Boilermakers
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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Kansas State Wildcats Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 3rd 2024

Two teams in desperate need of a win face off Saturday afternoon as Kansas State visits Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. The Wildcats (14-7, 4-4 Big 12) lost consecutive road games to Iowa State and Houston before falling to Oklahoma at home. All three opponents currently reside in the Associated Press Top 25. The 73-53 loss to the Sooners on Tuesday left Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang in a sour mood. “This is on
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Clemson Tigers vs. Virginia Cavaliers Pick & Prediction FEBRUARY 3rd 2024

Contrasting styles of play will be on display Saturday when Virginia travels to Clemson for the 136th meeting between the Atlantic Coast Conference foes. Per usual, Virginia (16-5, 7-3 ACC) is winning games on the defensive side of the court. The Cavaliers allow the second-fewest points per game (57.3) in NCAA Division I. It’s an impressive figure, even for Virginia standards. It’s the fewest points the Cavaliers have allowed since the 2019-20 season, when they

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
2024-11-25 13:30
Open
JACKSONVILLE
2 PICKS
MERCER
CBB
2024-11-25 19:00
Open
TENNESSEE STATE
1 PICKS
CHATTANOOGA

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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