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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Utah Utes vs. Houston Cougars Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

The first steps in the Charleston Classic resulted in good outcomes for No. 6 Houston and Utah, but both teams are looking for better performances. The Cougars and Utes will meet in the second semifinal on Friday in Charleston, S.C. “You like learning lessons by winning,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said after his team’s first-round game. “You’re going to learn lessons whether you win or lose, you might as well win.” The two teams won
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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Learning to win the close games is an issue for Oklahoma State this season. Meanwhile, every game should be a learning experience for rebuilding Notre Dame. The Cowboys and Fighting Irish each look to rebound from a loss at the Legends Classic when they meet in the third-place game on Friday in New York. Oklahoma State’s 85-70 victory over Sam Houston on Sunday was sandwiched by losses to Abilene Christian and St. Bonaventure by a
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Towson Tigers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

After their first-round defeats in the Charleston (S.C.) Classic, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will match up with the Towson Tigers in the consolation bracket on Friday night. Towson (2-2) took on the top team in the field in the No. 6-ranked Houston Cougars, falling 65-49 on Thursday night. Christian May scored 10 points on 4-for-11 shooting for Towson, the only Tiger to score in double figures. Charles Thompson added eight points along with a
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Dayton Flyers vs. St. John’s Red Storm Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Though St. John’s survived some stressful moments in the final minutes on Thursday, Dayton needed a large comeback. Both teams advanced to a semifinal matchup thanks to starkly different wins and a berth in the finals of the Charleston Classic is on the line Friday afternoon when St. John’s faces Dayton in Charleston, S.C. St. John’s defense was significantly improved from its 16-point loss against Michigan but the Red Storm struggled immensely to consistently produce
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Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Jacksonville Dolphins Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

The drive that Pittsburgh showed toward the end of last season appears to have carried over. The Panthers will look to add to their momentum when they host Jacksonville on Friday night. “I feel like we haven’t missed a beat,” junior forward William Jeffress said. “I feel like we’ve had momentum coming into the season since last year. And momentum is one of the most powerful forces that you can have and as long as
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NC State Wolfpack vs. Charleston Southern Buccaneers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

North Carolina State can build upon lots of positives after two games this season. The Wolfpack will look for more of that when Charleston Southern visits for Friday night’s game in Raleigh, N.C. “I say we’re coming,” NC State guard Jayden Taylor said. “We are just going to keep working and control what we can control, and hopefully we win.” The Wolfpack (2-0) understand that there’s more that needs to be done, so the goal
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Villanova Wildcats vs. Maryland Terrapins Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Three games into the season, No. 21 Villanova and Maryland already find themselves searching for answers. Both programs would be thrilled to secure a victory Friday when the Wildcats host the Terrapins in the Gavitt Tipoff Games. Villanova (2-1) posted comfortable wins in its first two games before falling to Penn, one of its Philadelphia Big 5 rivals, on Monday night. Following their 76-72 defeat, the Wildcats didn’t have much to smile about as they
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Providence Friars vs. Kansas State Wildcats Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Providence coach Kim English was hired to fill pretty sizable sneakers when he was named Ed Cooley’s successor. Early returns indicate English is up to the task. The Friars are off to a perfect start under English and face Kansas State on Friday in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship in Nassau, Bahamas. English guided Providence (3-0) to a 72-59 victory over Wisconsin on Tuesday, a performance that made him feel like his team was
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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. NC-Greensboro Spartans Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

Although No. 14 Arkansas is off to a perfect start, coach Eric Musselman isn’t entirely pleased with what he’s seen from his team through the first three games of the season. The Razorbacks will soon be up against some stiff competition, and Musselman hopes they can begin to find a solution to some of their shortcomings on Friday when they face UNC Greensboro in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas (3-0) survived a scare from Old Dominion on

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
Open
KENT STATE
2 PICKS
ALABAMA

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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