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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Arizona Wildcats vs. Southern California Trojans Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

Arizona spent two weeks at No. 1 in the polls in December, but the Wildcats have fallen to No. 12 and are “an average basketball team” as they head into Wednesday’s game against Southern California in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona (12-4, 3-2 Pac-12) has lost four of its past eight games, including a 73-70 defeat at Washington State on Saturday. “What I see is an average basketball team that has these really high moments and then
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Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Auburn Tigers Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

Amid a span in which upsets have been the talk of the college basketball world, No. 13 Auburn has bucked the trend during a nine-game winning streak. The Tigers (14-2, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) haven’t faced a ranked team during that span. But given that seven of the AP’s top 10 teams lost to unranked opponents last week (No. 2 Houston did it twice), Auburn’s recent run — no team has come within single digits of
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Louisiana State Tigers vs. Mississippi Rebels Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

No. 22 Ole Miss has responded well to its first loss of the season. LSU will have to respond to its first Southeastern Conference loss of the season when it plays the Rebels on Wednesday night in Baton Rouge, La. Ole Miss (15-1, 2-1) fell 90-64 at then-No. 5 Tennessee in its SEC opener on Jan. 6 before posting double-digit home victories against Florida last Wednesday and Vanderbilt on Saturday. On Monday the Rebels returned
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Houston Cougars vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

In the aftermath of a white-knuckle, one-point victory over Kansas State on Saturday that extended Texas Tech’s winning streak to nine games, Red Raiders first-year coach Grant McCasland heaped praise on his team. Texas Tech (14-2, 3-0 Big 12) rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to secure a 60-59 win over the Wildcats and extend its longest winning streak since the 2018-19 campaign. The 25th-ranked Red Raiders are off to their best start in conference
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Kentucky Wildcats vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

Kentucky’s identity this season is a team that plays fast and scores a lot. But it has been a good defensive team as well. Until Saturday, that is, when the now No. 8 Wildcats let offensively challenged Texas A&M ring up 97 points in an overtime result that was Kentucky’s first Southeastern Conference loss. The Wildcats will try to get back in the win column Wednesday night in Lexington, Ky., where they will host Mississippi
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North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Louisville Cardinals Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

No. 4 North Carolina is enjoying an impressive run, a stretch it will aim to continue against struggling Louisville on Wednesday night in Chapel Hill, N.C. North Carolina has a six-game winning streak packed with strong performances. “I like when the guys are having fun and they have smiles on their faces because they are enjoying something that they love and they’re doing it with teammates that they love,” Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis said.
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Connecticut Huskies vs. Creighton Bluejays Pick & Prediction JANUARY 17th 2024

No. 1 UConn will strive to continue its winning Big East Conference run with a sixth straight victory in a Wednesday night matchup against No. 18 Creighton in Storrs, Conn. The Huskies (15-2, 5-1) have gone unbeaten since their conference-opening loss on Dec. 20 at Seton Hall – including an 80-67 win Sunday over Georgetown – and now look to take down a Creighton team that they have beaten just once in seven all-time meetings.
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New Mexico Lobos vs. Utah St. Aggies Pick & Prediction JANUARY 16th 2024

Utah State delivered a miracle finish on Saturday, complete with a five-point play, to keep the nation’s longest streak alive. The No. 16 Aggies now will look to improve their impressive streak to 16 straight wins when they take on New Mexico in a Mountain West showdown on Tuesday night at Albuquerque, N.M. Utah State (16-1, 4-0 MW) was on the verge of its first setback in more than two months when it trailed for
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Xavier Musketeers vs. Butler Bulldogs Pick & Prediction JANUARY 16th 2024

While Xavier looks to build on perhaps its most impressive win of the season, Big East rival Butler must halt its worst stretch of 2023-24. The Musketeers will try to win back-to-back games for the first time in a month on Tuesday night against the visiting Bulldogs in Cincinnati. It’s been a middling season for Xavier (8-8, 2-3 Big East), which has yet to win more than two straight at any point and is 2-3

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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