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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Wisconsin Badgers vs. James Madison Dukes Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

NEW YORK — Wisconsin played in the final game before the NCAA Tournament field was revealed and won’t take the court again until late Friday night. But James Madison will have been waiting much longer, in more ways than one. Fifth-seeded Wisconsin and 12th-seeded James Madison will begin NCAA Tournament play when they close out a quadruple-header at Barclays Center in a South Region first-round game. Wisconsin (22-13) received an at-large bid after losing to
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Houston Cougars vs. Longwood Lancers Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

MEMPHIS — Houston players and coaches are saying all the right things about playing Longwood on Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s South Region. “We’ve seen in the past a 16 seed beat a 1 seed,” guard L.J. Cryer said. “You can’t really look at the number. At the end of the day, everyone is equal.” But not everything appears to be equal as the top-seeded Cougars (30-4) take on 16th-seeded
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Duke Blue Devils vs. Vermont Catamounts Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

NEW YORK — Only three schools have appeared in the Sweet Sixteen more often than Duke. Vermont just wants to get there once. Fourth-seeded Duke will look to return to a familiar destination while No. 13 Vermont will aim to begin a Cinderella run Friday night when they meet in a South Regional first-round game at Barclays Center. Duke (24-8) received an at-large bid after falling to North Carolina State, 74-69, in an Atlantic Coast
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Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

No. 2 seed Marquette is hoping to get a big boost as it opens NCAA Tournament play Friday against No. 15 seed Western Kentucky in Indianapolis. Golden Eagles head coach Shaka Smart is hoping to have star guard Tyler Kolek back after he missed the final three regular-season games and all three games in the Big East tournament with a strained oblique. “The plan is for him to play,” Smart said. “But he’s got to
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Connecticut Huskies vs. Stetson Hatters Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

NEW YORK — Even with the historic wins by UMBC and Fairleigh Dickinson over the past five NCAA Tournaments, the task for a No. 16 seed in a first-round game is a difficult one. But it’s an especially tall one this year for Stetson. UConn will begin its pursuit of a second straight national championship Friday afternoon, when the top-seeded Huskies take on Stetson in an East Region first-round game at Barclays Center. UConn (31-3)
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Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Northwestern Wildcats Pick & Prediction MARCH 22nd 2024

NEW YORK — Northwestern and Florida Atlantic are separated by more than 1,300 miles as well as a vast gap in resources between a school that’s been in the Big Ten for a century and one that just joined the American Athletic Conference. But when it comes to men’s basketball, the schools are mirror images. A pair of programs looking to build on their recent unprecedented success will meet in an NCAA Tournament East Regional
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Kentucky Wildcats vs. Oakland Golden Grizzlies Pick & Prediction MARCH 21st 2024

PITTSBURGH — While Kentucky fans anxiously await another deep run in the NCAA Tournament, John Calipari is asking, “What’s the worst that could happen?” One of the country’s proudest bluebloods, Kentucky (23-9) hasn’t seen a Sweet 16 since 2019, nor a Final Four since 2015. Calipari, the Wildcats’ coach of 15 years, has borne the brunt of their high expectations since their last national title came in 2012. Calipari is shrugging off questions about pressure
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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. San Francisco Dons Pick & Prediction MARCH 20th 2024

John Newman III wasn’t sure this season would ever happen for him, and now the Cincinnati forward doesn’t want it to end. Newman will try to keep the season alive when the second-seeded Bearcats host San Francisco in an NIT first-round game on Wednesday night. Newman sustained a torn meniscus in his knee in the season opener last season and missed the entire campaign. Cincinnati pursued a medical redshirt so Newman could return for a
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Appalachian St. Mountaineers Pick & Prediction MARCH 20th 2024

Appalachian State and Wake Forest will have at least one more chance to extend their seasons when the schools meet in the first round of the NIT in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Wednesday night. No. 1 seed Wake Forest (20-13) was knocked out in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament on Thursday, losing 81-69 to Pitt in Washington, D.C. Appalachian State (27-6) reached the Sun Belt Conference tournament semifinal on March 10 in

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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