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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Creighton Bluejays vs. Providence Friars Pick & Prediction JANUARY 6th 2024

No. 23 Providence went from riding how to trying to pick up the pieces as the Friars shove off for a visit to Creighton on Saturday at Omaha, Neb. A four-game winning streak came to an end Wednesday with the Friars’ 61-57 home loss to Seton Hall. The setback came eight days after the Friars (11-3, 2-1 Big East) pulled off a 72-57 victory over then-No. 6 Marquette on Dec. 19. The biggest blow on
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Wisconsin Badgers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Pick & Prediction JANUARY 2nd 2024

After a successful stretch against nonconference opponents, No. 21 Wisconsin returns to the Big Ten grind when it hosts Iowa on Tuesday night in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin (9-3, 1-0 Big Ten) has only played twice since a 98-73 loss at then-No. 1 Arizona on Dec. 9, closing out the nonconference portion of its schedule with home wins over Jacksonville State and Chicago State. Iowa (8-5, 0-2 Big Ten) is coming off a 103-74 win at
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Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Pick & Prediction JANUARY 2nd 2024

Winless in its first pair of Atlantic Coast Conference matchups, Pitt will take another try at getting in the win column in league play against No. 8 North Carolina at home Tuesday night. The Panthers (9-4, 0-2 ACC) fumbled a halftime lead against rival Syracuse in an 81-73 loss on Saturday. Pitt coach Jeff Capel noticed a difference in intensity between the two sides. “I thought they played with such energy (and) a sense of
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Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats Pick & Prediction JANUARY 2nd 2024

In his 10-plus seasons as Northwestern’s head coach, Chris Collins has accomplished some things that once seemed impossible in Evanston. He has led the Wildcats to their first two NCAA Tournament appearances and their first two wins over a top-ranked team, which includes Purdue’s only loss this season. However, Collins is still waiting to enjoy his first victory on Illinois’ home floor. The Wildcats are 0-7 in Champaign with Collins at the helm. But today’s
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Florida Atlantic Owls vs. East Carolina Pirates Pick & Prediction JANUARY 2nd 2024

Florida Atlantic had plenty of riches to enjoy when it returned from a productive trip to Las Vegas, but the winnings wasted away on Florida’s west coast. The 17th-ranked Owls (10-3) attempt to make a rapid recovery from Saturday’s jarring upset in Fort Myers and rebound against East Carolina in Tuesday night’s American Athletic Conference debut in Boca Raton, Fla. Following last Saturday’s 96-95 double-overtime win over then-No. 4 Arizona in Las Vegas, coach Dusty
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Tennessee Volunteers vs. Norfolk State Spartans Pick & Prediction JANUARY 2nd 2024

The same guy who scored 37 points in Tennessee’s loss to North Carolina on Nov. 29 has totaled just 15 in his last three games. Dalton Knecht is in a slump and coach Rick Barnes wants to help him get out of it, starting Tuesday night when the fifth-ranked Volunteers host Norfolk State in a non-conference game in Knoxville, Tenn. “They did what we’ve told him all along people are going to do,” Barnes said
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Maryland Terrapins vs. Purdue Boilermakers Pick & Prediction JANUARY 2nd 2024

Any team that visited Maryland’s Xfinity Center in 2023 left with a loss. The Terrapins will look to continue that trend in 2024 on Tuesday night when they welcome No. 1 Purdue to College Park, Md. Maryland (9-4, 1-1 Big Ten) has won 19 straight home games, the fourth-longest active streak in Division I. The Terrapins won all 17 of their home contests spanning parts of two seasons in 2023, including a 75-53 victory over
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Connecticut Huskies vs. DePaul Blue Demons Pick & Prediction JANUARY 2nd 2024

Reigning national champion UConn will come off a pronounced layoff on Tuesday evening when Big East rival DePaul visits Storrs, Conn. The No. 4 Huskies likely appreciated the chance to regroup after a 69-65 home win against St. John’s on Dec. 23. “I think we showed a little bit of fatigue,” Huskies coach Dan Hurley said then. “These guys have earned the … days off, and we’ll have some time to rest and work on
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Texas Christian Horned Frogs vs. Texas A&M Commerce Lucky the Lion Pick & Prediction JANUARY 1st 2024

TCU and Texas A&M-Commerce will open 2024 on the basketball court with a New Year’s Day matchup on Monday in Fort Worth, Texas. Host TCU (10-2) comes off a 2-1 performance at the Diamond Head Classic, where the Horned Frogs bounced back from an 88-75 loss to Nevada by defeating Hawaii in the third-place game, 65-51. Texas A&M-Commerce (6-6) holds a two-game win streak entering Monday’s nonconference tilt but has not played since Dec. 18,

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
2024-11-26 14:00
Final
SAN DIEGO STATE
8 PICKS
CREIGHTON
CBB
2024-11-26 16:35
Final
OREGON
11 PICKS
TEXAS A&M
CBB
2024-11-26 21:00
Open
KANSAS
8 PICKS
DUKE

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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