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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Providence Friars vs. Butler Bulldogs Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

Two teams that got off to a winning start in Big East play meet Saturday afternoon as Providence continues a five-game homestand with a visit from Butler. The schedule won’t get any easier for the Friars (10-2, 1-0) after Wednesday’s 72-57 upset over No. 6 Marquette, their largest victory against a top-10 team since 2011. But that’s life in the Big East. Butler (10-2, 1-0) is another one of three conference teams with double-digit wins
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Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

Rutgers has settled on its ideal starting lineup going forward. Its final big test of the nonconference schedule will come Saturday against Mississippi State in the Gotham Classic in Newark, N.J. Rutgers (7-3) is 2-0 since making two major personnel changes. For one, senior forward Mawot Mag completed his recovery from a February ACL tear and returned to the starting lineup. Mag provided four points and eight rebounds in a 70-63 rivalry win over Seton
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Memphis Tigers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

No. 23 Memphis looks to extend an impressive four-game winning streak when it hosts Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers (9-2), who cracked the Top 25 this week, have knocked off VCU, then-No. 21 Texas A&M, then-No. 13 Clemson and No. 22 Virginia since losing at Ole Miss on Dec. 2. David Jones scored 26 points to lead a 77-54 smacking of Virginia on Tuesday. The St. John’s transfer leads the Tigers in scoring (20.8),
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Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Arizona Wildcats Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

No. 4 Arizona will wrap up a challenging stretch on Saturday in Las Vegas against No. 14 Florida Atlantic, which will be playing perhaps the biggest regular-season game in school history. FAU (9-2) is coming off a Final Four run and started this season at No. 10 in the Associated Press poll. The Owls have played then-No. 12 Texas A&M (96-89 win) and then-No. 20 Illinois (98-89 loss), but this kind of high-profile nonconference matchup
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Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Mississippi Rebels Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

Ole Miss followed its highest-scoring game of the season with a dominant defensive performance. The No. 25 Rebels (11-0) will try to remain undefeated when they face Southern Miss (6-5) on Saturday in Biloxi, Miss. The ability of Ole Miss to excel on both ends of the court has enabled it to win by more comfortable margins recently. The Rebels had their largest margin of victory in their most recent outing, defeating visiting Troy 74-53
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Hawaii Warriors vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2023

Georgia Tech will look to extend its winning streak to four games on Friday when it faces Hawaii in the semifinal at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. The Yellow Jackets (7-3) rallied from down 11 points with a little more than nine minutes remaining in regulation in its 73-70 defeat of UMass on Thursday. Kyle Sturdivant scored a career-high 21 points off the bench for Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech has recorded three victories by
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Texas Christian Horned Frogs vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2023

Coming off a historic scoring performance, TCU heads into a Friday semifinal matchup at the Diamond Head Classic against Nevada, which also carries momentum from its tournament opener in Honolulu. The winner between the Horned Frogs (9-1) and the Wolf Pack (10-1) will earn a spot in the championship game on Sunday. The Horned Frogs became the first team in Diamond Head Classic’s 14-year history to score 100 points in a game when they posted
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Auburn Tigers vs. Alabama St. Hornets Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2023

Auburn goes for a milestone when Alabama State visits for a nonconference game Friday night. The Tigers are aiming for their 50th consecutive nonconference homecourt victory. There have been 43 consecutive sellouts at Neville Arena. “We’d like to have a Merry Christmas,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said, “and the best way to have a Merry Christmas is to continue to play well against Alabama State.” Auburn (8-2) owns a three-game winning streak since losing at
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UCLA Bruins vs. Maryland Terrapins Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2023

UCLA tries to avoid a fourth consecutive loss Friday when the Bruins welcome future Big Ten Conference counterpart Maryland to Los Angeles. The Bruins (5-5) trailed almost wire-to-wire en route to a 76-72 loss on Tuesday to Cal State Northridge. The defeat snapped UCLA’s 29-game home-court winning streak. Coming on the heels of setbacks against Villanova and Ohio State, UCLA heads into Friday’s matchup at risk of matching the longest losing streak of coach Mick

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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