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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Colorado St. Rams vs. CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 17th 2023

With a week to stew over its only loss of the season, No. 17 Colorado State figures to be a handful when it plays host to CSU-Pueblo on Sunday at Fort Collins, Colo. Colorado State (9-1) has victories over Creighton, Washington and in-state rival Colorado, but it was against Saint Mary’s last Saturday at home when it met its match in a 64-61 defeat. The Rams led 57-56 with 2:10 remaining then missed two 3-point
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Florida State Seminoles vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

After a promising start, Florida State saw its season take a turn for the worse. The Seminoles (4-4) are riding a three-game losing streak as they open a seven-game homestand with a game against SMU on Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla. The Seminoles got off to a 2-0 start but have only wins over UNLV and then-No. 18 Colorado over their past five outings. They lost close games to Georgia, 68-66; and at North Carolina,
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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Lipscomb Bison Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

There’s plenty of time for Arkansas basketball to figure things out, but coach Eric Musselman wants it to happen sooner instead of later. The Razorbacks were a Top 25 team when the season started but have fallen out of the rankings after starting the season 6-4, including a 79-70 loss Dec. 9 to Oklahoma that saw Musselman get ejected on two technicals with 15:50 left. Arkansas will try to get back in the win column
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Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida A&M Rattlers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

Iowa will aim to stop a season-high three-game losing streak when it faces Florida A&M on Saturday in a neutral-site game in Des Moines, Iowa. The Hawkeyes (5-5) sputtered in the second half of Sunday’s home loss to Michigan on the heels of a blowout loss at Iowa State. What’s the key to avoiding a further hole? “The first thing is, they have to stay positive and continue to believe in themselves,” Hawkeyes coach Fran
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Utah Utes vs. Utah Valley Wolverines Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

Utah battles an in-state opponent for the third consecutive game when it hosts Utah Valley on Saturday in Salt Lake City. The Utes (7-2) survived late rallies in wins over Southern Utah on Dec. 5 and BYU last Saturday. Their 73-69 victory over the then-No. 14 Cougars marked Utah’s first win over a ranked BYU team since 1993. Utah jumped on BYU early behind Gabe Madsen’s sizzling perimeter shooting. Madsen knocked down four 3-pointers in
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Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Vermont Catamounts Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

The key questions entering Vermont’s game against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., on Saturday involve Hokies point guard Sean Pedulla: Will Pedulla play? And if he does, how productive will he be? An ankle injury prevented Pedulla from participating in Saturday’s 71-50 victory over Valparaiso. Pedulla, who is averaging 13.7 points and a team-high 4.6 assists per game this season, watched the game from the bench with a protective boot covering his right foot. Pedulla
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St. John’s Red Storm vs. Fordham Rams Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

Rick Pitino was horrified as St. John’s struggled to defend anyone in its last game. Pitino is hoping to see the Red Storm start making strides with their defense Saturday afternoon when they host Fordham at Madison Square Garden in New York. St. John’s (6-3) is playing its penultimate nonconference game and seeking a fifth win in six contests overall. The Red Storm saw a four-game winning streak stopped with Sunday’s 86-80 loss to Boston
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UCLA Bruins vs. Ohio St. Buckeyes Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

Either Ohio State or UCLA will rebound from a tough loss when they clash in Atlanta on Saturday. The young Bruins (5-3) were in a tight contest at Villanova last Saturday before the Wildcats went on a late run to propel them to a 65-56 victory. Ohio State (8-2) was cruising toward what would have been its eighth straight win last Saturday but blew an 18-point lead in the second half to drop an 83-80
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Michigan Wolverines vs. Eastern Michigan EMU Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

Juwan Howard is expected to resume his duties as Michigan’s head coach on Saturday as the Wolverines host Eastern Michigan in a non-conference game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Assistant Phil Martelli has been acting head coach while Howard recovers from mid-September heart surgery, and also while the university investigates an altercation between Howard and strength coach Jon Sanderson last week after practice. A 90-80 win at Iowa on Sunday snapped a three-game losing streak for

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
2024-12-25 20:30
Open
OREGON STATE
6 PICKS
NEBRASKA

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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