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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Miami-Florida Hurricanes vs. Georgia Bulldogs Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 17th 2023

The Georgia men’s basketball team seems lost in the shadow of the school’s powerhouse football squad. On Friday afternoon in Nassau, Bahamas, the Bulldogs (2-1) will try to earn some headlines of their own when they oppose the 12th-ranked Miami Hurricanes (3-0) in the first round of the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship. Mike White, who is in his second season coaching Georgia, has just one returning starter, forward Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, who is averaging three
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California Golden Bears vs. Montana St. Bobcats Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 16th 2023

California has an opportunity to equal last year’s win total just 11 days into the new season when the Golden Bears host Montana State on Thursday night in Berkeley, Calif. Cal (2-1) went just 3-29 a year ago, prompting a coaching change and the importing of key transfers who have combined to produce early wins over St. Thomas and Cal State Bakersfield, sandwiching a home loss to Pacific. As they wait for Memphis transfer Keonte
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Utah Utes Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 16th 2023

Wake Forest has been through some uncomfortable moments early in this season, so at least the Demon Deacons have been tested in various ways. That’s not the case so much with Utah, which could receive its first challenge of the season when taking on Wake Forest on Thursday night in the nightcap of the opening round of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C. Utah (2-0) has home victories against Eastern Washington and UC Riverside. “We
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Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 16th 2023

Arizona State is coming off a bounce-back win over visiting Texas Southern after losing decisively to Mississippi State in the season opener at a neutral court in Chicago, but coach Bobby Hurley is not pleased. The Sun Devils (1-1) will try to improve against UMass Lowell (3-0) on Thursday night in Tempe, Ariz. The River Hawks will seek a second straight upset of a power-conference opponent after winning 74-71 at Georgia Tech on Tuesday. Arizona
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Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Missouri Tigers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 16th 2023

The Minnesota Golden Gophers will try to maintain their perfect start to the season when they host the Missouri Tigers on Thursday night in Minneapolis. Minnesota (2-0) is coming off victories over Bethune-Cookman and UTSA. The Golden Gophers won their first game by 20 points and their second by 26 points. Now comes Minnesota’s toughest test yet. Missouri (2-1) knocked off Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville but fell short against Memphis. The Tigers are looking
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Auburn Tigers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 16th 2023

Maintaining a high energy level has been an issue for the Auburn and Notre Dame basketball teams in the young season. Perhaps the marquee stage of the annual Legends Classic will lead to more spirited performances for the Tigers and Fighting Irish on Thursday night when they meet at the Brooklyn Nets’ home arena in New York. Auburn and Notre Dame enter the first all-time meeting between the two with matching 1-1 records. However, neither
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St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 16th 2023

Oklahoma State and St. Bonaventure will meet on a neutral court Thursday, yet in an area of the country that has yielded each program success in recent seasons. The teams are set to face off for the first time when they open the Legends Classic at Brooklyn, N.Y. The winner of Thursday’s game opposes the winner of the nightcap between Auburn and Notre Dame in Friday night’s championship game. Oklahoma State (1-1) bounced back from
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Louisiana State Tigers vs. Dayton Flyers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 16th 2023

LSU and Dayton meet in the first round of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C., on Thursday, hoping to accelerate their early season development. Both are coming off difficult losses as they play the first of three games in four days in the tournament. The Tigers (1-1) lost to an in-state rival at home for the first time since 1988 — snapping an 82-game win streak — when they fell to Nicholls 68-66 last Friday
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North Texas Mean Green Eagles vs. St. John’s Red Storm Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 16th 2023

The first loss of the Rick Pitino era was a humbling experience for a newly constructed version of St. John’s. After getting overmatched against Michigan, the Red Storm hope to show some improvement and start their appearance in the Charleston Classic with a victory over North Texas on Thursday afternoon in Charleston, S.C. The Red Storm (1-1) will play three games in a field headlined by sixth-ranked Houston. Depending on the result of its first

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
CBB
2024-12-22 13:00
Open
ILLINOIS
2 PICKS
MISSOURI
CBB
2024-12-22 15:00
Open
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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