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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St. John’s Red Storm vs. Xavier Musketeers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

Like most college basketball observers, Sean Miller believes Rick Pitino is one of the best coaches of all-time. “He has made an already difficult, challenging conference even better,” Miller said during Big East media day. Now it’s Pitino’s turn to try to follow Miller’s example. Pitino will coach St. John’s in a Big East game for the first time Wednesday night in New York when the Red Storm host Xavier in the league opener for
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Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Northwestern Wildcats Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

Northwestern dropped out of the Top 25 after losing at home to Chicago State last week, and the Wildcats will try to regain their momentum when they play Arizona State in Phoenix on Wednesday night. Northwestern (8-2) upset then-No. 1 Purdue on Dec. 1 and beat Detroit Mercy nine days later before falling to Chicago State. The Wildcats came back with a 56-46 win at crosstown foe DePaul on Saturday. “We got what we deserved
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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Wofford Terriers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

Oklahoma State will look to build on a modest two-game winning streak when it hosts Wofford on Wednesday afternoon in Stillwater, Okla. The Cowboys’ latest game was an 81-60 home win over Oral Roberts on Sunday as Brice Thompson and Quion Williams led the way with 13 points each. Oklahoma State (5-5) also got 12 points and 11 rebounds from Eric Dailey Jr. but just seven points from Javon Small, its leading scorer this season.
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Iowa Hawkeyes vs. MD Baltimore County Retrievers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

Iowa’s Brock Harding said he thought “guys were ready to attack” from the outset of Saturday’s rout of Florida A&M, a strategy that went a long way toward stopping the Hawkeyes’ three-game losing streak. As Iowa prepares to host UMBC on Wednesday night, the Hawkeyes realize repeating that early effort — and maintaining it — will be crucial. “We felt like (starting slow) was a big problem the last couple games,” Harding said. “We kind
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West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Radford Highlanders Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

West Virginia hopes to get back on the winning track Wednesday night when the Mountaineers host a streaking Radford team in Morgantown, W.Va. The Mountaineers (4-6), who have dropped three of their last four games, are coming off Saturday’s 87-79 home loss to UMass. Starting center Jesse Edwards suffered a fractured wrist in the defeat and is expected to miss four weeks. Fifth-year transfer RaeQuan Battle is ready to make his Mountaineers debut. Battle was
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Georgia Bulldogs vs. Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

Two teams riding winning streaks will meet on Wednesday night when Georgia hosts Mount St. Mary’s in Athens, Ga. The Bulldogs (7-3) have won five straight games after suffering back-to-back losses to then-No. 12 Miami and Providence in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship in mid-November. The Mountaineers (4-6) recorded their second straight win with a 72-65 victory over Saint Francis (Pa.) on Friday. A big reason for Georgia’s success has been the play of
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Arizona Wildcats vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

No. 4 Arizona will try to bounce back from its first loss of the season when it opposes Alabama on Wednesday night to cap the daylong action at Jerry Colangelo’s Hall of Fame Series in Phoenix. The Wildcats (8-1) were knocked out of a two-week run at No. 1 when they fell to then-No. 3 Purdue 92-84 on Saturday in Indianapolis. A week earlier, the Boilermakers, who rose to the top of the polls this
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Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Jackson State Tigers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

Shooting from behind the arc has been a dicey proposition for No. 15 Gonzaga this season. After seemingly finding the mark by making 22 of 46 over a two-game span, the Bulldogs (8-3) are back in a pronounced swoon entering their Wednesday game against Jackson State at Spokane, Wash. Gonzaga is a dismal 22.2 percent (12 of 54) from 3-point range over its past three games, two of them setbacks against Washington and No. 5
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Duke Blue Devils vs. Baylor Bears Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 20th 2023

No. 10 Baylor will look to get back on the winning track when it squares off against No. 21 Duke on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Bears (9-1) will play their second consecutive game against a big-name opponent on a neutral floor. The first was a surprising 88-64 loss to under-.500 Michigan State in Detroit on Saturday, the result being Baylor’s first setback of the season. RayJ Dennis and Yves Missi

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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