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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Xavier Musketeers vs. Georgetown Hoyas Pick & Prediction JANUARY 19th 2024

Xavier is still searching for consistency as it hosts Georgetown on Friday night in a Big East Conference matchup in Cincinnati. The Musketeers (9-8, 3-3) have been looking for steady play all season from a roster with 10 new players while still coping with the losses of Zach Freemantle and Jerome Hunter to injuries. In Tuesday’s 85-71 victory over Butler, Xavier used runs of 8-0, 16-0 and 13-0 to overcome inconsistent and sloppy play on
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Wisconsin Badgers vs. Indiana Hoosiers Pick & Prediction JANUARY 19th 2024

Wisconsin will look to bounce back from its first conference loss of the season when the 11th-ranked Badgers host Indiana in a Big Ten matchup Friday night in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin (13-4, 5-1) lost 87-83 at Penn State on Tuesday, snapping the Badgers’ six-game winning streak. Indiana (12-6, 4-3) fell at home to second-ranked Purdue 87-66 on Tuesday. Against Penn State, the Badgers went five minutes late without a field goal until a consolation 3-pointer
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Stanford Cardinal vs. Washington St. Cougars Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

Washington State and Stanford want to be considered contenders in the Pac-12 Conference race. The team that wins Thursday night, when the Cardinal (9-7, 4-2 Pac-12) play host to the Cougars (12-5, 3-3), will have a better argument for that perspective. Washington State is coming off a 73-70 upset of then-No. 8 Arizona, the lone ranked team in the conference, on Saturday in Pullman, Wash. “I think it just goes to prove that we can
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Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

No. 14 Illinois will try to bounce back from a disappointing loss when it visits Michigan on Thursday night in a Big Ten Conference showdown in Ann Arbor, Mich. Illinois (12-4, 3-2) dropped four spots in the rankings after losing 76-67 to Maryland on Sunday. It marked the second defeat in three games for the Fighting Illini, who remain without suspended guard Terrence Shannon Jr. Marcus Domask scored 26 points to lead Illinois against the
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Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Wichita St. Shockers Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May acknowledges his team is in a good place early in American Athletic Conference play, but he also admits there is work to be done if his squad wants a repeat of last year’s run to the Final Four. On Thursday night in Boca Raton, Fla., the No. 23 Owls will host Wichita State for the first of two matchups between the teams within a month. “I was proud of our
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Memphis Tigers vs. South Florida Bulls Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

This was the type of game Memphis coach Penny Hardaway believed his team could play all along. The No. 10 Tigers scored a season-high 112 points in a 26-point drubbing at Wichita State on Sunday that increased their winning streak to 10 games and kept them atop the American Athletic Conference. Memphis tries to keep rolling on Thursday night when it hosts defensive-minded South Florida in another conference matchup. The Tigers (15-2, 4-0) shot 64.7
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Miami-Florida Hurricanes vs. Florida State Seminoles Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

Kyshawn George is growing on the Miami Hurricanes — literally and figuratively. George, a reserve guard from Switzerland who played high school ball in France, is averaging 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in his freshman season. “Kyshawn is a unique player,” Hurricanes coach Jim Larranaga said. “Last year, when we recruited him, he was 6-foot-5. Now he’s 6-8. “When the season began, he was a horrendous defender. Now, he has really improved. He
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Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

Nebraska has shown it’s a legitimate contender that can match up with the very best in the Big Ten Conference. Now coach Fred Hoiberg is seeking consistency when his Cornhuskers visit Rutgers on Wednesday in Piscataway, N.J. Nebraska (13-4, 3-3 Big Ten) became just the second team to beat Purdue, ranked No. 1 at the time, when the Cornhuskers rained 14 3-pointers on the Boilermakers in an 88-72 home win on Jan. 9. Yet they
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Virginia Cavaliers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

With four straight road losses, all by at least 16 points, alarm bells are ringing at Virginia. But the Cavaliers (11-5, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) have been as reliable as ever at home, where they have won 19 straight games, including all nine this season. While trying to solve larger issues, the Cavaliers will try to keep the home fires burning against rival Virginia Tech (10-6, 2-3) on Wednesday in Charlottesville, Va. Virginia’s uncharacteristic tailspin,

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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