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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Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Presbyterian Blue Hose Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

There are certain parts to Wake Forest’s five-game winning streak that have been particularly encouraging. Coach Steve Forbes said he likes the way the Demon Deacons have avoided tight finishes by maintaining their focus, and they’ll aim for another similar outing when Presbyterian visits Thursday afternoon in Winston-Salem, N.C. Wake Forest is 7-3 after its third consecutive game with five players scoring in double figures. Those performances have helped with some comfortable conclusions. “We’ve all
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Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Texas-Arlington Mavericks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

Steamrolling Texas Tech looks to close out its pre-Christmas schedule on a positive note Thursday when Texas-Arlington comes to Lubbock for an afternoon matchup. The Red Raiders (8-2) bring a three-game winning streak into the matchup after a 76-54 romp past Vanderbilt on Saturday in the Coast-to-Coast Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. The Mavericks (6-4) played in the game right before Texas Tech in the event and edged Air Force for its best win this
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Syracuse Orange vs. Niagara Purple Eagles Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

Syracuse can extend its winning streak to four games when Niagara comes to town for a nonconference matchup Thursday. Syracuse (8-3, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) has been off since Sunday, when the Orange bench provided a major boost in an 83-63 victory over Oregon. The Orange had four reserves score at least eight points in the win. Sophomore Quadir Copeland led the way with a career-high 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Sophomore center
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Ohio St. Buckeyes vs. New Orleans Privateers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

Ohio State righted itself against UCLA and hopes to carry that momentum into its home game against New Orleans on Thursday. The Buckeyes (9-2) defeated the Bruins 67-60 in Atlanta on Saturday, a week after blowing an 18-point second half lead in an 83-80 loss at Penn State. “Our guys were not too dismayed by a loss. They know it’s a long season and you can’t get too high or too low,” Ohio State coach
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Houston Cougars vs. Texas State Bobcats Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

The third-ranked Houston Cougars won a grudge match against an old conference rival on Saturday, but the victory came at a significant cost. The Cougars (11-0), who will host Texas State on Thursday, lost sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux to an Achilles injury in their 70-66 win over Texas A&M, marking their first measure of injury adversity this season. Arceneaux logged six minutes before sustaining the injury in the first half. He is scheduled to undergo
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Tennessee Volunteers vs. Tarleton Texans Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

No. 8 Tennessee will aim to extend its winning streak to a season-high five games on Thursday evening when it hosts Tarleton State in Knoxville, Tenn. The Volunteers (8-3) began the season by winning four in a row before dropping three straight games to ranked teams. Tennessee rebounded with four consecutive victories, including a 79-70 decision over North Carolina State on Saturday in a Hall of Fame Series game at San Antonio. Fifth-year guard Josiah-Jordan
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Purdue Boilermakers vs. Jacksonville Dolphins Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

Back atop the polls after a resounding victory over the previous No. 1 team in the country, Purdue aims to stay in the top spot for a while. Fresh off a 92-84 defeat of Arizona on Saturday in Indianapolis, the Boilermakers are back in action on Thursday night in West Lafayette, Ind., with a nonconference matchup against Jacksonville. Purdue (10-1) leaned on national Player of the Year Zach Edey plus sophomore guards Braden Smith and
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Louisville Cardinals vs. Kentucky Wildcats Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

No. 9 Kentucky will look to make it three straight wins when it visits rival Louisville on Thursday evening. The Wildcats are coming off an impressive 87-83 win over then-No. 9 North Carolina in Atlanta on Saturday behind strong work from the freshman class. Rob Dillingham finished with 17 points, while D.J. Wagner logged 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. Aaron Bradshaw had 12 points, and Reed Sheppard amassed 11 points and six rebounds
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Pittsburgh Panthers vs. IUPU – Ft. Wayne Mastodons Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

For all the attention Pitt’s offense has received — and deservedly so — the Panthers have proven to have a defense that’s hard to figure out. Pitt (8-3) will hope to stay strong on both ends of the floor when it welcomes its final nonconference opponent of the regular season, Purdue Fort Wayne (11-1), on Wednesday night. An 86-50 home win over South Carolina State Saturday marked the fifth time this season that the Panthers

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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