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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Oregon Ducks vs. Southern California Trojans Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 28th 2023

Southern California and Oregon open the Pac-12 Conference slate Thursday when the Ducks host the Trojans in Eugene. USC (6-5) continues a four-game road swing, having split a pair in Alabama. The Trojans routed Alabama State on Dec. 19, 79-59, ending a losing skid that extended to three games with their 91-75 loss Dec. 17 at Auburn. Arrinten Page led USC with a career-high 12 points against Alabama State. Kobe Johnson and Isaiah Collier each
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Oregon St. Beavers vs. UCLA Bruins Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 28th 2023

UCLA coach Mick Cronin is not one to sugarcoat anything, especially when his team is struggling. “They’re young, they’re trying to live up to the letters on the jersey and the ball’s not going in and they start to feel the snowball effect,” Cronin said Friday night after a 69-60 home loss to Maryland. “This is just my opinion, I’m not saying I’m right … but we’ve lost our confidence.” The Bruins will try to
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Kentucky Wildcats vs. Illinois St. Redbirds Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 29th 2023

Of all the good signs No. 8 Kentucky has provided its fans in a 9-2 start, its ability to shoot well and often from long range might be its best. The Wildcats hope to display it again Friday night when they close their non-conference schedule against Illinois State in Lexington, Ky. Recent John Calipari teams have played inside-out and often overpowered opponents in the lane but haven’t always been able to shoot over the top
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Maryland Terrapins vs. Coppin St. Eagles Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 28th 2023

Maryland’s winning streak at home, now more than a year old, gets the ultimate test on Jan. 2 when the Terrapins host No. 1 Purdue. But first, Maryland (8-4) has a chance to extend that streak to 19 games on Thursday night with a tune-up against Coppin State (1-12) in College Park, Md. The Terrapins are coming off a 69-60 win Friday at UCLA that was propelled by a virtuoso performance from Jahmir Young, who
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North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Charleston Southern Buccaneers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 29th 2023

No. 9 North Carolina has experienced plenty since last playing a home game earlier this month. The Tar Heels, who have been off since Dec. 20, will look to tune up for their upcoming Atlantic Coast Conference schedule with a nonconference clash against Charleston Southern on Friday night in Chapel Hill, N.C. North Carolina (8-3) had three big-time contests this month, going to New York and falling to UConn, traveling to Atlanta and coming up
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Purdue Boilermakers vs. Eastern Kentucky Eastern Kentucky Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 29th 2023

Although No. 1 Purdue has played a tough non-conference schedule this season, head coach Matt Painter said games against lesser-known opponents have provided a different sort of challenge. Painter said it’s easy to get up for games against the likes of Arizona, Tennessee, Marquette or Gonzaga (all games that the Boilermakers have won this season). He then added that it can be a temptation to relax in games such as Friday’s contest against Eastern Kentucky
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Oklahoma Sooners vs. Central Arkansas C. Ark Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 28th 2023

After ending a tough nonconference stretch with their first loss of the season, No. 12 Oklahoma will get a bit of a reprieve Thursday when they take on Central Arkansas in Norman, Okla. The Sooners (10-1) are coming off an 81-69 loss to North Carolina eight days earlier. The loss ended a four-game stretch where the Sooners beat Providence, Arkansas and Green Bay. Oklahoma also has wins over Iowa and Southern California this year. “I
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Virginia Cavaliers vs. Morgan St. Bears Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 27th 2023

After getting knocked out of the Top 25 with a lopsided loss at Memphis, Virginia tries to regroup at home against Morgan State in its final nonconference game Wednesday night in Charlottesville, Va. The Cavaliers (9-2) had the holiday break to dwell on a 77-54 setback at then-No. 23 Memphis on Dec. 19 that snapped their five-game winning streak. Morgan State arrives in town following Friday’s 89-75 loss to No. 20 James Madison. It was
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Hawaii Warriors vs. Texas Christian Horned Frogs Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 24th 2023

TCU and Hawaii are set for a matchup in the third-place game of the Diamond Head Classic on Sunday in Honolulu, with each looking to rebound from a loss in Friday’s semifinals. The Horned Frogs (9-2) have won two of their past three and opened the tournament with a 111-87 win over Old Dominion before falling to Nevada, 88-75. The Horned Frogs battled back late in the second half after trailing by double digits, but

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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