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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Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Southern Jaguars Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 3rd 2023

Mississippi State will try to bounce back from its first loss of the season when it faces Southern on Sunday afternoon in Starkville, Miss. The No. 21 Bulldogs (6-1) lost to Georgia Tech 67-59 in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Tuesday night in Atlanta. Mississippi State fell behind by 13 points at halftime and could never catch up in the second half. “We played harder (at halftime),” Bulldogs coach Chris Jans said, “but first 11 possessions
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Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Creighton Bluejays Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 3rd 2023

In-state bragging rights — and maybe a national ranking — are on the line Sunday when Nebraska hosts No. 15 Creighton in a nonconference game in Lincoln, Neb. The host Cornhuskers (7-0) are off to their best start since the 1992-93 season and have won every game by at least 10 points. They received votes in the most recent Associated Press poll, and a win over Creighton could get them into the Top 25 for
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Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan Wolverines Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 2nd 2023

Michigan and Oregon will be part of the same conference next season, but the two programs are getting a head start on their Big Ten partnership. The Wolverines will battle the Ducks on Saturday in Eugene, Ore., in a contest that was initially scheduled to take place in November 2020. The coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of the contest. The two teams did meet in the first part of the scheduling arrangement with then-No.
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Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Charleston Cougars Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 2nd 2023

Charleston coach Pat Kelsey spent the remainder of the 2023 NCAA Tournament wondering what might have been after his Cougars took a six-point loss in the first round to San Diego State, the eventual national runner-up. On Saturday night, Kelsey will get the most vivid reminder yet of what could have been when Charleston visits another of last season’s Final Four Cinderellas, No. 13 Florida Atlantic, in the final game of the Field of 68
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Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 2nd 2023

Vanderbilt hopes to snap a three-game losing streak when it faces Alabama A&M on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. The Commodores (3-4) have gone winless after a 3-1 start, with those losses each coming against power-conference opponents. Wednesday’s 80-62 home loss to Boston College was the first time the Commodores had their best two players — guards Ezra Manjon (16 points) and Tyrin Lawrence (six) — on the floor at once. Both have been sidelined with
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Washington St. Cougars vs. Portland St. Vikings Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 2nd 2023

Myles Rice prefers to look ahead. Considering what he’s been through, that is understandable. The Washington State guard, whose team will play host to Portland State on Saturday afternoon in Pullman, Wash., missed last season while receiving chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “It’s like a chapter in a book,” Rice said, according to the Spokesman-Review newspaper in Spokane, Wash. “You read Chapter 1, you go into Chapter 2, and you still remember Chapter 1 but you
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Central Florida Knights vs. Lipscomb Bison Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 2nd 2023

Jaylin Sellers is coming off a career night in UCF’s loss to Stetson last weekend, but coach Johnny Dawkins is hoping the 6-foot-4 transfer from Ball State gets a little help from his friends when the Knights host Lipscomb on Saturday afternoon in Orlando, Fla. Sellers scored 34 points against Stetson, but the Hatters put up 55 in the second half to rally to an 85-82 victory. “We need more than just Jaylin,” Dawkins said.
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Kansas State Wildcats vs. North Alabama N Ala Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 2nd 2023

Looking for a more consistent effort, Kansas State hosts North Alabama on Saturday afternoon in Manhattan, Kan. The Wildcats (5-2) needed overtime before posting an 88-78 win over Oral Roberts on Tuesday. Kansas State’s Tylor Perry overcame a scoreless first half to finish with 20 points, matching Arthur Kaluma for the team lead. Perry stepped it up in overtime, totaling seven points, two rebounds, a steal and an assist. Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang
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Boston College Eagles vs. NC State Wolfpack Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 2nd 2023

NC State will be looking for an improved effort at the offensive end Saturday when it goes on the road to face Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass., in the ACC opener for each team. The Wolfpack (4-2) shot 31.8 percent from the field in Tuesday’s 72-52 loss to Ole Miss in the ACC/SEC Challenge. They missed 22 of their 25 attempts from 3-point range (12.0 percent). “The obvious thing is we didn’t play well

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
2024-12-22 13:00
Final
ILLINOIS
2 PICKS
MISSOURI
CBB
2024-12-22 14:00
Final
DETROIT
3 PICKS
WISCONSIN
CBB
2024-12-22 15:00
Final
OREGON STATE
4 PICKS
COLL OF CHARLESTON

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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