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
Seton Hall vs Saint Peter’s Week 1 Betting Preview Two New Jersey programs with overhauled rosters meet Monday in Newark when Seton Hall hosts Saint Peter’s The Pirates are coming off a program-record 25 losses last season. Saint Peter’s, one year removed from a MAAC title run, slipped to 12-16. Both coaches went heavy in the transfer portal, aiming for
Arkansas vs Southern Week 1 Betting Preview No. 14 Arkansas opens its season Monday night against Southern at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. The Razorbacks enter John Calipari’s second year with a reloaded roster after last season’s Sweet Sixteen run. Freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas headline a class expected to make an instant impact, while veterans D.J.
Missouri vs Howard Week 1 Betting Preview Missouri begins its 2025-26 season in an unusual spot — on the road at Howard’s Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C. Coach Dennis Gates’ team comes off a 22-12 year and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Junior guard Anthony Robinson II and senior forward Mark Mitchell headline the Tigers. Robinson’s defense helped spark a 100-91
Iowa State vs Fairleigh Dickinson Week 1 Betting Preview No. 16 Iowa State tips off its season Monday night against Fairleigh Dickinson in Ames, Iowa, looking to prove defense still drives its success under T.J. Otzelberger. The Cyclones finished 25-10 last season, built around one of the nation’s stingiest defenses, and open as heavy favorites against a rebuilding Knights squad.
Florida vs Arizona Week 1 Betting Preview Defending champion Florida begins its title defense in a marquee matchup against Arizona on Monday in Las Vegas. The neutral-site opener has the feel of a March matchup, with both teams ranked inside the top 15. Florida closed last season on a 12-game winning streak, capped by a national title that included upsets
DePaul vs Chicago State Week 1 Betting Preview DePaul opens its 2025-26 campaign Monday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago against in-city foe Chicago State. Chris Holtmann’s second season with the Blue Demons begins with optimism and experience after a 14-win year that exceeded expectations. DePaul returns its top scorers CJ Gunn (12.9 ppg), NJ Benson (9.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg),
Marquette vs Albany Week 1 Betting Preview Marquette tips off its 2025-26 season Monday night in Milwaukee against Albany, a matchup that marks the start of a new era for coach Shaka Smart’s program. With Kam Jones, David Joplin, and Stevie Mitchell gone, preseason All-Big East first-team guard Chase Ross takes over as the lead option. Ross averaged 10.5 points,
Ohio State vs IU Indianapolis Week 1 Betting Preview New IU Indianapolis coach Ben Howlett brings his trademark “system” to Columbus for Sunday’s opener against Ohio State. The Jaguars’ up-tempo, full-court style comes straight from Howlett’s successful run at Division II West Liberty, where he made eight straight NCAA Tournament trips. The Buckeyes finished 17-15 last season under Jake Diebler
Colorado vs Montana State Week 1 Betting Preview Colorado begins its 2025-26 campaign at home against Montana State on Monday night in Boulder. The Buffaloes are looking to rebound from a 14-21 finish and a 13-game losing streak that marred their first year in the Big 12. Junior center Bangot Dak returns after averaging 8.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3
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!
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.
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:
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.
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.


