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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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Alcorn St. Braves Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Eric Musselman stirred the transfer portal and landed six players expected to be in the rotation for No. 14 Arkansas this season. The Razorbacks will begin their quest for a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid with an opening-night game against Alcorn State on Monday. Almost universally, the appraisal of Arkansas’ talent supports Musselman’s high expectations. SEC coaches picked Arkansas to finish third in what might be the deepest version of the league in its history.
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Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Princeton Tigers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Rutgers has been on the rise in recent years, while Princeton is coming off an astonishing run to the Sweet 16. There has never been a better time for the two New Jersey rivals to rekindle their series. The Scarlet Knights and Tigers will tip off the new season Monday on a neutral floor in Trenton, N.J. Princeton owns a 75-45 lead in the all-time series, which went dormant after December 2013. Mitch Henderson is
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Iowa State Cyclones vs. Green Bay Phoenix Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Iowa State understands transition, and the Cyclones are replacing five of its six leading scorers off last season’s team. But optimism is still high with coveted freshman forward Omaha Biliew stepping into a prominent role. Biliew makes his college debut when the Cyclones open the season against Green Bay on Monday at Ames, Iowa. The five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American is considered the highest-rated player ever reeled in by Iowa State. He’s also an in-state
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Syracuse Orange vs. New Hampshire Wildcats Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

For the first time in nearly a half-century, Syracuse is beginning a season without coach Jim Boeheim on the sideline. Adrian Autry is now the man in charge of the Orange, who open their season on Monday against visiting New Hampshire. Boeheim stepped down last spring following a 47-season run at Syracuse, where his 2-3 zone defense became a staple of the college basketball scene over the decades. Boeheim’s accolades included five Final Four appearances
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Virginia Cavaliers vs. Tarleton Texans Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

The last time Virginia was unranked to begin a campaign, the Cavaliers finished the regular season at No. 1. That was 2017-18, which ended with a 31-3 record as well as a historic first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Tony Bennett begins his 15th season in Charlottesville — his squad tied for sixth among “others receiving votes” in the Associated Press preseason poll — when Virginia hosts Tarleton State and coach Billy Gillispie on
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Niagara Purple Eagles Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

As a new era of Notre Dame basketball begins, coach Micah Shrewsberry is taking a wait-and-see approach to the season. Shrewsberry makes his Irish debut on Monday in South Bend against visiting Niagara, which looks to build on its first winning season in five years. The last time Notre Dame welcomed a new basketball coach, Mike Brey debuted in 2000. He lasted 23 seasons and won 483 games before stepping away after a dismal 11-21
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San Diego St. Aztecs vs. Cal St. Fullerton Titans Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

San Diego State made a miracle run through the NCAA Tournament last season before losing to UConn in the national title game. The No. 17 Aztecs certainly won’t be operating under the radar this season as they begin chasing another dream campaign with a home game against Cal State Fullerton on Monday. San Diego State (32-7 last season) rattled off five straight wins during the tournament, including a mammoth takedown of No. 1 seed Alabama
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Villanova Wildcats vs. American U. Eagles Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Villanova’s first season was a bit rocky following the retirement of Hall of Fame head coach Jay Wright. The Wildcats finished 17-17 and were knocked out in the opening round of the NIT under Kyle Neptune, a longtime Villanova assistant under Wright. No. 22 Villanova, which opens the season at home Monday against American, is expected to be markedly improved this season thanks to a strong transfer class consisting of Tyler Burton (Richmond), TJ Bamba
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North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Radford Highlanders Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

North Carolina can’t make amends all at once for its shortcomings a season ago, but the No. 19 Tar Heels can begin that process from the get-go. The season launches with a game against visiting Radford on Monday Chapel Hill, N.C. The Tar Heels, who were fresh off a spot in the 2022 NCAA championship game, began last season with the No. 1 ranking and didn’t land a spot in the postseason with a 20-13

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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