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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Purdue Boilermakers vs. Grambling State Tigers Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — Purdue knows the proving ground as a No. 1 seed is lined with potholes but empty of mulligans. A 60-mile drive from Lafayette to the state capital ushers the Boilermakers (29-4) into the first-round NCAA Tournament matchup with 16 seed Grambling State on Friday. Purdue was searching for a do-over at this time last year. They became the second team in tournament history to lose to a No. 16 seed, falling to Farleigh
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Florida Gators vs. Colorado Buffaloes Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — Seventh-seeded Florida figures to be an inspired group on Friday against 10th-seeded Colorado in a South Region first-round showdown. The Gators (24-11) finished sixth in the Southeastern Conference in the regular season before making a spirited run in the conference tournament and losing to Auburn in the title game. Colorado (25-10) defeated Boise State, 60-53, in the final game of the First Four on Wednesday night in Dayton, Ohio. Florida coach Todd Golden
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Texas Longhorns vs. Colorado St. Rams Pick & Prediction MARCH 21st 2024

CHARLOTTE — Texas and Colorado State are set for a matchup of teams with very different NCAA Tournament backgrounds. They meet in a Midwest Region first-round game Thursday night with a chance to enhance their tournament reputation. Seventh-seeded Texas (20-12) is in the NCAA Tournament for the 22nd time in the last 25 editions of the event. “Everybody wants to keep playing their season,” Texas guard Max Abmas said. “Everybody plays with a greater urgency.”
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St. Mary’s Gaels vs. Grand Canyon Antelopes Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

Grand Canyon star Tyon Grant-Foster has faced challenges that far surpass trying to pull off a March Madness upset. But Grant-Foster is ready to help the 12th-seeded Antelopes (29-4) seek their first NCAA Tournament victory on Friday night when they face fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s (26-7) in a West Region first-round game at Spokane, Wash. Grant-Foster energizes Grand Canyon with a 19.8 scoring average and was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in
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Utah St. Aggies vs. Texas Christian Horned Frogs Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — Two teams that earned at-large berths in the NCAA Tournament field will meet Friday as No. 8 seed Utah State takes on No. 9 TCU in a first-round Midwest Region contest. Led by national coach of the year finalist Danny Sprinkle, Utah State (27-6) won the regular season Mountain West title before losing to San Diego State in the conference tourney last week in Las Vegas. After taking Montana State to the tournament
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Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Charleston Cougars Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

Alabama boasts the highest-scoring attack in the nation but is far from a shut-down squad on the defensive end. The combination surely appeals to NCAA Tournament first-round opponent Charleston, which has won 12 consecutive games. The scoreboard figures to get a lot of work on Friday when the fourth-seeded Crimson Tide (21-11) face the No. 13 seed Cougars (27-7) in a West Region first-round game at Spokane, Wash. Both teams love to hoist 3-point shots.
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Auburn Tigers vs. Yale Bulldogs Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

After a sweep of the Southeastern Conference tournament to run Auburn’s winning streak to six, Tigers coach Bruce Pearl wasn’t expecting a trip of some 2,300 miles for his club’s first NCAA Tournament game. He’s certainly not happy about it, either. Auburn’s tournament journey will begin in Spokane, Wash., on Friday afternoon when the fourth-seeded Tigers (27-7) battle 13th-seeded Yale (22-9) in an East Region first-round matchup. This will be Auburn’s fifth NCAA appearance since
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San Diego St. Aztecs vs. UAB Blazers Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

San Diego State was a No. 5 seed last year when it made a magical run through the NCAA Tournament before falling to UConn in the national title game. The Aztecs (24-10) are again on the 5-seed line this year, and they embark on what they hope is another memorable run when they oppose 12th-seeded UAB (23-11) on Friday in an East Region first-round game at Spokane, Wash. San Diego State has some key players
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Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. NC State Wolfpack Pick & Prediction MARCH 21st 2024

PITTSBURGH — In a conference championship week chock full of “bid thieves,” North Carolina State was perhaps the biggest surprise of them all. NC State entered the ACC tournament as the No. 10 seed and promptly beat five teams in five days, becoming the first double-digit seed to win the league title. The unexpected automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament got the Wolfpack the No. 11 seed in the South Region, where they will open

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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