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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Clemson Tigers vs. Queens University of Charlotte Royals Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2023

Wounded after its first loss of the season last weekend, No. 18 Clemson aims to bounce back Friday when it hosts Queens. Clemson (9-1) fell five spots in the AP Top 25 poll this week after losing on the road at Memphis last Saturday 79-77. The visitors went cold in the second half, making just 2 of 12 shots from behind the arc. Clemson also committed 15 turnovers while forcing Memphis into just six. And
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Missouri Tigers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2023

When it comes to the annual Braggin’ Rights Game between Illinois and Missouri in St. Louis, just assume there’ll be an upset. That’s not good news for No. 13 Illinois (8-2), which enters Friday night’s game against Missouri (7-4) at Enterprise Center as the healthy favorite. But it’s also an old story for Brad Underwood’s Fighting Illini. Illinois entered the last four Braggin’ Rights games as a favorite only to be taken down by Missouri.
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Washington St. Cougars vs. Boise St. Broncos Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

Washington State and Boise State are both undefeated at home and below .500 on the road or at neutral sites. There will be no home-court advantage in play on Thursday night when the Cougars and Broncos square off on a neutral floor in Spokane, Wash. Washington State (8-2) is 7-0 in Pullman and 1-2 away from home after falling 69-61 to Santa Clara on Saturday in Phoenix. Perhaps Boise State (8-3) faces a bigger challenge
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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Abilene Christian Wildcats Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

Arkansas will try to win for the fourth time in its past five games Thursday night when it matches up against visiting Abilene Christian in Fayetteville, Ark. After a shaky stretch in November, the Razorbacks (7-4) have rebounded in their recent run, including an 80-75 victory over then-No. 7 Duke on Nov. 29. On Saturday against Lipscomb, coach Eric Musselman’s group led by 20 points in the second half but had to endure a 17-0
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Central Florida Knights vs. Florida A&M Rattlers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

UCF continues its long homestand by hosting Florida A&M on Thursday night in Orlando with an eye toward conference play. It will be the sixth of a seven-game home stretch for the Knights (7-3), who begin their first season of Big 12 play with a trip to Kansas State early next month. UCF’s 74-51 win over Maine ended an eight-day break for exams following its heartbreaking 70-68 loss to Ole Miss. “I’m really proud of
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Penn St. Nittany Lions vs. Le Moyne Dolphins Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

In what will be the last game before Christmas for both teams, Le Moyne and Penn State will each seek the gift of a nonconference win when they hook up on Thursday at University Park, Pa. Host Penn State comes into the game at 5-6 overall and is coming off an 82-81 overtime loss to Georgia Tech at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The biggest issue so far for the Nittany Lions has been rebounding.
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Michigan St Spartans vs. Stony Brook Seawolves Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

Michigan State has a lot of work to do before earning consideration for a Top 25 ranking. During the past two games, the Spartans have finally looked like the Top 10 team they were projected to be prior to the season. The Spartans dominated previously undefeated Baylor 88-64 on Saturday, then handled in-state opponent Oakland 79-62 on Monday. They’ll host Stony Brook in East Lansing on Thursday. Michigan State hounded the Bears into 21 turnovers,
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Boston College Eagles vs. Lehigh Mountain Hawks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

Boston College returns to the floor for its only game in a three-week span on Thursday when it welcomes Lehigh to Chestnut Hill, Mass. The Eagles (8-3) carry momentum of a three-game win streak, but with the victories spread over a multiple weeks, the run might not be a tangible factor in their nonconference finale. Boston College overcame a second-half deficit in an 86-80 victory over St. John’s on Dec. 10. Quinten Post’s near triple-double
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Virginia Tech Hokies vs. American U. Eagles Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2023

Virginia Tech has reeled off three straight convincing wins, suggesting the Hokies are ready for the Atlantic Coast Conference portion of their schedule. But first Virginia Tech (8-3) has one last nonconference tune up, Thursday night in Blacksburg, Va., against American (5-6). The Hokies’ strong play this month has come despite injuries to an already-thin backcourt. After two-year starting point guard Sean Pedula suffered a sprained ankle in a win over Louisville, he sat out

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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