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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Kansas Jayhawks vs. Samford Bulldogs Pick & Prediction MARCH 21st 2024

Kansas might not be capable of making a Final Four run if stars Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr. remain hindered by injuries. But another question has begun hovering over the Jayhawks: Can they avoid the first-round upset bid of high-octane, high-intensity Samford? The fourth-seeded Jayhawks (22-10) hope to have the services of Dickinson and McCullar when they oppose the 13th-seeded Bulldogs (29-5) on Thursday in Midwest Region play at Salt Lake City. McCullar, who
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Montana St. Bobcats vs. Grambling State Tigers Pick & Prediction MARCH 20th 2024

A pair of No. 16 seeds in the Midwest Region meet Wednesday night in the opener of a First Four doubleheader in Dayton, Ohio, with the winner advancing to meet top-seeded Purdue. Grambling State (20-14) will take on Montana State (17-17), a surprise winner over cross-state rival Montana in the Big Sky title game. The Tigers, known for their rich football history, earned their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division I basketball tournament with a
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Creighton Bluejays vs. Akron Akron Pick & Prediction MARCH 21st 2024

PITTSBURGH — Creighton is one of the most experienced teams in not only the NCAA Tournament, but Division I as a whole. The six-man rotation that plays the vast majority of the Bluejays’ minutes is comprised of four seniors, junior Trey Alexander and sophomore Mason Miller — all with prior tournament experience. KenPom.com ranks Creighton the eighth-most experienced lineup in the country based on minutes played. That means Creighton, the third seed in the Midwest
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Iowa State Cyclones vs. South Dakota State Jackrabbits Pick & Prediction MARCH 21st 2024

Eric Henderson was promoted to head coach at South Dakota State five years ago because T.J. Otzelberger departed for UNLV. Otzelberger is now the head coach at Iowa State and he will look down the sideline and see his good friend on Thursday when the second-seeded Cyclones (27-7) face the 15th-seeded Jackrabbits (22-12) in an NCAA Tournament East Region clash at Omaha, Neb. Otzelberger and Henderson shared coaching strategies for three seasons at South Dakota
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Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Morehead St. Morehead Pick & Prediction MARCH 21st 2024

Illinois coach Brad Underwood exhaled Sunday after the Fighting Illini rallied past Wisconsin to earn the Big Ten tournament title. “The postseason is over in the Big Ten and thank God we don’t have to see another Big Ten team for a while,” he said. That may be true, but a dangerous opponent awaits the Fighting Illini in the NCAA Tournament East Region first round nonetheless. Third-seeded Illinois (26-8) meets No. 14 Morehead State (26-8)
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Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Michigan St Spartans Pick & Prediction MARCH 21st 2024

CHARLOTTE — It’s time for Michigan State to prove that it really can be one of the best teams in the country. The Spartans, who have largely fallen short of expectations, have another chance by opening the NCAA Tournament against Mississippi State in a first-round game in the West Region on Thursday afternoon. “I feel like everybody knows that we underachieved,” Michigan State graduate forward Malik Hall said. “We all know it, we see it
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Brigham Young Cougars vs. Duquesne Dukes Pick & Prediction MARCH 21st 2024

Duquesne is part of the NCAA Tournament field for the first time since 1977 but making plans to avoid a quick end to its rare taste of March Madness. The 11th-seeded Dukes (24-11) haven’t experienced an NCAA tourney victory in 55 years and plot to change that when they oppose sixth-seeded BYU (23-10) in the first round of the East Regional on Thursday at Omaha, Neb. Duquesne has rattled off eight straight victories and claimed
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Boise St. Broncos vs. Colorado Buffaloes Pick & Prediction MARCH 20th 2024

With seven wins against NCAA Tournament teams, Boise State was not expecting to board a charter flight to Dayton and the First Four on Monday afternoon. The Broncos are making a third consecutive appearance in the field and have a few days to shake their shock and bewilderment over being sent to the play-in portion of the NCAA Tournament. Boise State (22-10) meets Colorado (24-10) in the final game of the eight-team, pre-tournament showcase on
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Utah Utes vs. UC Irvine Anteaters Pick & Prediction MARCH 19th 2024

UC Irvine and Utah will meet in an NIT first-round game at Salt Lake City on Tuesday after both came up short attaining a spot in the NCAA Tournament because of losses in their respective conference tournaments. UC Irvine (24-9) was upset as the No. 1 seed of the Big West tournament, falling to No. 4 Long Beach State in the semifinal. The Anteaters won the Big West regular-season title with a record of 17-3.

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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