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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UCLA Bruins vs. LIU Sharks Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 15th 2023

UCLA concludes a three-game, season-opening homestand on Wednesday when the Bruins welcome Long Island to Los Angeles. UCLA (2-0) closed its 68-50 win last Friday against Lafayette with a 34-7 run, rallying from a nine-point deficit to take control in the nonconference matchup. The Bruins scored 19 points off 14 Leopards turnovers, which included four steals by Lazar Stefanovic. Stefanovic was also one of three Bruins to score in double figures with 11 points. Starter
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Brigham Young Cougars vs. Southeastern Louisiana Lions Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 15th 2023

BYU will tangle with a Southland Conference foe for the second time in three games when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday night in Provo, Utah. The Cougars (2-0) opened their season with an emphatic 110-63 victory over Houston Christian. They followed it up with a 74-65 defeat of then-No. 17 San Diego State on Friday. Hot perimeter shooting carried BYU. In both games, the Cougars shot at least 35 percent from 3-point range and
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Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Georgetown Hoyas Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 15th 2023

Everything was going according to plan for Georgetown and new coach Ed Cooley on Saturday at home against Holy Cross. But in the final eight minutes, the Hoyas blew an 11-point lead to the Crusaders and fell 68-67 in a loss that looked all too familiar from recent seasons under Patrick Ewing. Georgetown (1-1) will try to recapture the wave of enthusiasm brought by Cooley on Wednesday night when it visits Rutgers (2-1) in the
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Louisville Cardinals vs. Coppin St. Eagles Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 15th 2023

Louisville will play its third straight home game and try to bounce back from a loss against winless Coppin State on Wednesday night. The Cardinals (1-1) fell 81-71 to Chattanooga last Friday as the Mocs made 14 3-point baskets. The visiting Eagles (0-3) are coming off a 74-60 defeat Saturday at Mount St Mary’s. It’s early, but this might be a must-win for second-year Louisville coach Kenny Payne as the schedule only gets tougher. Payne
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Boston College Eagles vs. Richmond Spiders Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 15th 2023

Boston College begins a two-game homestand before Thanksgiving week when it hosts Richmond in a battle of early-season unbeatens on Wednesday night. Two of the top players for the Eagles (2-0) are looking to build off career-best performances from the opening week of the season. Jaeden Zackery led the way in Friday’s 75-71 road win against a young but feisty squad from The Citadel. He scored 21 points — a career high for the junior
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Seton Hall Pirates vs. Albany Great Danes Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 15th 2023

Three Seton Hall guards are scoring in double figures through two games, but the team appears to be most improved at center in the early going. The Pirates will continue to rely on newcomers Jaden Bediako and Elijah Hutchins-Everett at center when they face visiting Albany on Wednesday night in Newark, N.J. Bediako and Hutchins-Everett transferred to Seton Hall (2-0) from Santa Clara and Austin Peay, respectively, to help the Pirates bolster their inside game.
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Ohio St. Buckeyes vs. Merrimack Warriors Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 15th 2023

Ohio State hopes to apply lessons learned from its first defeat when the Buckeyes host Merrimack on Wednesday night in Columbus. After opening with a win against mid-major Oakland, the Buckeyes hosted then-No. 15 Texas A&M on Friday and lost 73-66. “Rebounding and free throws,” Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton said. “We missed 10 free throws, so that makes a big difference.” Thornton was slightly off in his assessment of the foul shots, but the
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Towson Tigers vs. Houston Cougars Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 16th 2023

There are times when Houston coach Kelvin Sampson is prone to consider the big picture when piecing together the plan for the season. His No. 6 Cougars want to make sure they’re conditioned at the end of the season to turn wintertime promise into something special in the spring. So an in-season tournament is a barometer but is nowhere near the end-all. It is, after all, November. The Cougars (3-0) will meet Towson (2-1) on
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Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Campbell Fighting Camels Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 15th 2023

Virginia Tech entered this season hoping to remedy its dependence on Hunter Cattoor and Sean Pedulla. But Friday night in a nip-and-tuck loss to South Carolina, there were Cattoor and Pedulla as the Hokies’ backcourt constants, playing 40 and 38 minutes, respectively. When Virginia Tech (1-1) hosts Campbell (1-1) in non-conference action Wednesday night in Blacksburg, Va., the Hokies hope to lighten the workload of their top two players. Virginia Tech anticipated having backcourt help

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
KENT STATE
2 PICKS
ALABAMA
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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