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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Tennessee Volunteers vs. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

No. 9 Tennessee is the media’s preseason choice to win the Southeastern Conference championship, coming off a 25-win season and a Sweet 16 appearance. But the Volunteers could be counting on newcomers when they open the regular season against visiting Tennessee Tech on Monday in Knoxville. Tennessee tuned up with an 89-88 win at No. 4 Michigan State in an Oct. 29 exhibition game to help raise money for a Maui wildfire relief fund. Northern
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Kentucky Wildcats vs. New Mexico St. Aggies Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

A bulk of Kentucky’s roster are freshmen or transfers and the latest edition of John Calipari’s team features a pronounced lack of available height. Before heading into a neutral site showdown with No. 1 Kansas in the annual Champions Classic, No. 16 Kentucky gets two home games to measure its roster starting Monday when it hosts New Mexico State in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky went 22-12 last season and lost standout forward Oscar Tshiebwe along with
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Arizona Wildcats vs. Morgan St. Bears Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Third-year Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd used the offseason to add toughness and defense to his lineup, and the No. 12 Wildcats will show what they have when they open the season against Morgan State on Monday in Tucson, Ariz. The Wildcats went 28-7 last season, won the Pac-12 tournament championship and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They were quickly bounced in the first round by 15th-seeded Princeton. Lloyd said he wanted
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Duke Blue Devils vs. Dartmouth Big Green Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

A reduced level of curiosity greets the start of the season for No. 2 Duke and second-year coach Jon Scheyer. The Blue Devils are bound to attract plenty of attention right away nonetheless. Duke takes on Dartmouth in the season opener under second-year coach Jon Scheyer on Monday at Durham, N.C. “The team that we were by the end of the year, that’s what I’m most proud of,” Scheyer said of his first season piloting
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Michigan St Spartans vs. James Madison Dukes Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Tom Izzo won a national championship when he was 45 years old. He’s accomplished many things since 2000, including his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016, but at 68 the longtime Michigan State coach is still chasing a second national title. The Spartans begin their season against James Madison at East Lansing on Monday and believe they have enough talent and depth to make the title dream a reality. Izzo doesn’t
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Texas A&M Aggies vs. Texas A&M Commerce Lucky the Lion Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Texas A&M last experienced a heightened level of preseason buzz more than a decade ago but head coach Buzz Williams’ fifth season and an experienced roster has the Aggies thinking big. No. 15 Texas A&M opens the season at home against Texas A&M-Commerce on Monday in College Station. This is the highest preseason ranking in the Associated Press poll for A&M since it entered the 2006-07 season ranked No. 13 under Billy Gillispie. The preseason
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Connecticut Huskies vs. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

UConn continues its pursuit of respect knowing the mission of back-to-back national championships will not be accomplished in the opener Monday night against visiting Northern Arizona. Ranked No. 6 in the preseason AP poll, UConn posted a 31-8 record last season and defeated San Diego State in the national championship game. A lot has changed for Huskies head coach Dan Hurley, including his roster. The Huskies were picked third — behind Marquette and Creighton —
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Kansas Jayhawks vs. North Carolina Central Eagles Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

The No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks consider anything less than a Final Four run a disappointment. The Jayhawks will welcome North Carolina Center to Lawrence, Kan., on Nov. 6 in the season opener for both teams. An 82-75 loss to No. 25 Illinois in an exhibition game in Champaign, Ill., on Sunday wasn’t going to alter the program’s expectation of ending the season in Phoenix, site of the 2024 Final Four. “Two years ago, we addressed
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Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Northern Illinois Northern Illinois Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 6th 2023

Anyone familiar with head coach Shaka Smart is not surprised No. 5 Marquette is ready to get defensive. The Golden Eagles begin their Big East title defense on Nov. 6 when Northern Illinois makes the two-hour trek from DeKalb, Ill. After winning the Big East regular-season championship and conference tournament, Marquette lost in the round of 32 to Michigan State. At the conference preseason media day in October, the Golden Eagles were picked to repeat

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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