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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Connecticut Huskies vs. St. John’s Red Storm Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

St. John’s finally pleased the demanding Rick Pitino on Wednesday night. But the Red Storm will enjoy no honeymoon period as they must face No. 5 UConn three days after the Huskies infuriated the hard-driving Dan Hurley. UConn will try to bounce back from a disappointing Big East opener Saturday night when the Huskies host St. John’s in Hartford, Conn. UConn’s impressive early-season surge ended Wednesday night when the visiting Huskies were upset by Seton
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Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Eastern Kentucky Eastern Kentucky Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

Alabama needs to experience something good after a brutal stretch. The Crimson Tide might receive their wish Saturday afternoon as Eastern Kentucky comes to Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama (6-5) lost its most recent game Wednesday to No. 4 Arizona by 87-74 in Phoenix, ending a stretch of three consecutive games against Top 10 opponents. That left the Crimson Tide with a three-game losing streak, with other losses to Purdue and Creighton during the skid. “We have
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DePaul Blue Demons vs. Villanova Wildcats Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

DePaul opens Big East play Saturday afternoon with a tough task when they host a confident Villanova team in Chicago. DePaul (2-8, 0-0) has the worst opening record for a Blue Demons team since the 1996-97 team started 2-8 en route to the worst record (3-23) in school history. The Blue Demons play their Big East opener against a Villanova team that is riding the high of a 68-66 overtime win on the road against
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Xavier Musketeers vs. Seton Hall Pirates Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

Seton Hall will attempt to build off one of its most impressive wins in program history when it travels to Cincinnati for a Big East meeting with Xavier on Saturday afternoon. The Pirates (8-4, 1-0) are coming off Wednesday’s 75-60 victory over No. 5 UConn, their largest win ever over a top-five team in the AP poll. Kadary Richmond led the way with 23 points, six rebounds and a program-record-tying eight steals for Seton Hall,
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West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Toledo Toledo Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

After a stunning loss just a few days ago, West Virginia will dust itself off for a Saturday afternoon clash against Toledo in Morgantown, W.Va. The Mountaineers (4-7) are still reeling from their 66-65 loss to Radford on Wednesday, when they led by five multiple times in the second half, only to give up a game-winning basket in the dying seconds. The defeat gives West Virginia back-to-back losses for the third time this season, and
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NC State Wolfpack vs. Detroit Mercy Titans Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 23rd 2023

There are some pretty solid feel-good elements for North Carolina State heading into the weekend. The Wolfpack are trying to build momentum and should have a good shot at doing that against winless Detroit Mercy on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C. “There are good vibes all around,” NC State guard Casey Morsell said. “We’re growing. We have a good feel for who we are and our identity but we’re not 100 percent where we want
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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),

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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