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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Oklahoma Sooners vs. Iowa State Cyclones Pick & Prediction JANUARY 6th 2024

Through their non-conference schedules, Oklahoma and Iowa State have been two of the best in Division I in terms of shooting, margin of victory and defense. On Saturday, the 11th-ranked Sooners (12-1) and Cyclones (11-2) open Big 12 Conference play in Norman, Okla. “We keep talking about continuing to defend, continuing to defend and being hard to score against,” Oklahoma coach Porter Moser said. “It all starts defensively. That’s what happens in this league too.
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Tennessee Volunteers vs. Mississippi Rebels Pick & Prediction JANUARY 6th 2024

Tennessee was expected to be a national contender this season, as signified with a ranking of No. 9 in the preseason poll. Ole Miss wasn’t in the AP Top 25, or even on the radar, when it failed to receive a single vote in October. The Rebels are ranked now and visit the No. 5 Volunteers (10-3) to open SEC play Saturday night in Knoxville, Tenn. The No. 22 Rebels (13-0) haven’t been flawless, but
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Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. James Madison Dukes Pick & Prediction JANUARY 6th 2024

After surviving the opener of a tough road trip on Thursday, No. 19 James Madison moves onto the second leg as it visits Southern Miss on Saturday afternoon in Hattiesburg, Miss. It will be the second game in less than 48 hours for the Dukes (14-0, 2-0 Sun Belt), who are riding a program-record winning streak and enter the weekend as one of three unbeaten teams in Division I along with No. 3 Houston and
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Arizona Wildcats vs. Utah Utes Pick & Prediction JANUARY 6th 2024

No. 10 Arizona delivered a dominant display of team basketball as the lead-in to Saturday’s Pac-12 contest against Utah. That 47-point triumph isn’t the best news for the Utes, who attempt to break a 12-game skid in Tucson, Ariz., when they visit the Wildcats on Saturday night. Utah (11-3, 2-1 Pac-12) hasn’t won on Arizona’s home floor since posting a 68-67 victory on Dec. 6, 1986. That’s so long ago that the Utes played in
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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Baylor Bears Pick & Prediction JANUARY 6th 2024

No. 18 Baylor and surging Oklahoma State will look to get off on the right foot for what should be a contentious league race in Saturday’s Big 12 Conference opener in Stillwater, Okla. The Bears (11-2) look to build on a two-game winning streak that includes a tough 98-79 home victory over Cornell on Tuesday in the first-ever contest in the new Foster Pavilion. Ja’Kobe Walter poured in 23 points while RayJ Dennis added 18
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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Auburn Tigers Pick & Prediction JANUARY 6th 2024

No. 25 Auburn aims to extend its winning streak to seven when it opens Southeastern Conference play against Arkansas on Saturday at Fayetteville, Ark. The Tigers (11-2) have won the six games by an average of 24 points and seem well-prepared for SEC play, but a visit to Arkansas isn’t for the faint of heart. Auburn coach Bruce Pearl hasn’t forgotten his program’s most recent visit to Fayetteville. The Tigers were the No. 1-ranked team
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Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Pick & Prediction JANUARY 6th 2024

A pair of Big Ten teams off to good starts in conference play meet in Madison, Wis., on Saturday afternoon when No. 21 Wisconsin hosts Nebraska. The Badgers (10-3, 2-0 Big Ten) have won both their conference games by double digits, including Tuesday’s 83-72 home victory over Iowa, while Nebraska (12-2, 2-1) has matched its best three-game league start since 2017-18 after Wednesday’s 86-70 home win over Indiana. Wisconsin is led by AJ Storr, a
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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

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
2024-12-29 13:00
Open
HARVARD
2 PICKS
IONA
CBB
2024-12-29 13:00
Open
HOFSTRA
3 PICKS
QUINNIPIAC
CBB
2024-12-29 17:00
Open
UT ARLINGTON
1 PICKS
TEXAS STATE

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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