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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Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 6th 2023

The Arizona State Sun Devils are on a three-game winning streak since getting the stuffing knocked out of them on Thanksgiving, and they look to keep the momentum rolling on Wednesday against SMU in Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils (5-2), who are 4-0 at home this season, have defeated Vanderbilt, Sam Houston and San Francisco by double digits after a 77-49 loss to BYU at Las Vegas. The conquests of Sam Houston and San Francisco
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West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 6th 2023

In a bit of a slump after a strong start, Pitt packs up and heads just over 75 miles south for its first true road game of the season Wednesday. The Panthers (5-3) will travel to Morgantown, W.Va., to take on former Big East Conference foe West Virginia (3-4) in the latest installment of the Backyard Brawl. Pitt has dropped three of its past four after a 4-0 start to the campaign, with its latest
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Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 6th 2023

Nebraska will strive to bounce back from its first loss of the season when it visits Minnesota in its Big Ten Conference opener on Wednesday night in Minneapolis. The Cornhuskers (7-1) are coming off an 89-60 loss against then-No. 15 Creighton on Sunday. Nebraska gave up 52 points in the first half and failed to play catch-up. “Obviously a very difficult (game) for us,” Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said. “We were right there with them
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Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Nebraska Omaha Mavericks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 6th 2023

After a busy stretch of action away from Lubbock, Texas Tech goes back to work at home Wednesday when Omaha comes to town. The Red Raiders (5-2) split four games away from home, most recently a gritty, 103-95 overtime setback at Butler in the Big East/Big 12 Battle. The Mavericks (5-4) are on the road after thumping NAIA foe Bellevue 78-59 for their third win in a row. Texas Tech played at a high level
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Vanderbilt Commodores vs. San Francisco Dons Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 6th 2023

San Francisco seeks its first win away from home when it visits Vanderbilt on Wednesday evening in Nashville, Tenn. The Dons (5-3) lost true road games to Boise State and Arizona State — the latter an 82-71 defeat on Sunday — while also falling to Grand Canyon on a neutral floor in Glendale, Ariz. Jonathan Mogbo, San Francisco’s leading scorer (16.6 ppg), scored 23 points and pulled 16 rebounds in Sunday’s loss. Marcus Williams (14.9)
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Central Florida Knights vs. Jacksonville Dolphins Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 6th 2023

UCF and visiting Jacksonville will renew an old rivalry on Wednesday in Orlando, Fla., one that used to factor into NCAA Tournament berths. From 1998-2005, the programs met twice a year in conference play as members of the Atlantic Sun (formerly known as the TAAC). Wednesday will be just the fifth meeting between the Knights and Dolphins since that stretch, in a marquee nonconference matchup for each school. UCF (5-2) enters the game following a
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St. John’s Red Storm vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 6th 2023

As St. John’s continues the start of its new era under coach Rick Pitino, the Red Storm will try for a fourth straight win when they host Sacred Heart on Wednesday night in Queens, N.Y. St. John’s most recently beat host West Virginia 79-73 on Friday night. Sacred Heart hasn’t played since Saturday, when its losing streak hit three games as the Pioneers fell to visiting Boston University, 70-49. The game against Sacred Heart will
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Ohio St. Buckeyes vs. Miami (OH) Miami (Ohio) Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 6th 2023

Ohio State will take a brief interlude from Big Ten play and look to extend its six-game winning streak against visiting Miami (OH) on Wednesday night in Columbus. The Buckeyes (7-1) defeated Minnesota 84-74 on Sunday in their conference opener. After playing the RedHawks (4-3), they will return to league action Saturday at Penn State before playing their final three nonconference games to finish December. “They’re going to be tough, well-prepared, well-coached, ready to come
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Maryland Terrapins vs. Penn St. Nittany Lions Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 6th 2023

Penn State isn’t pointing fingers as it takes a four-game losing streak into its Big Ten opener at Maryland on Wednesday in College Park, Md. The Nittany Lions (4-4, 0-0) haven’t won since Nov. 17, and coach Mike Rhoades took accountability for the recent struggles after Saturday’s 76-67 home loss to Bucknell — a 21 1/2-point underdog. “The No. 1 thing when you have failure is to own it, is understand it, learn from it

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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