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

Lamar Cardinals VS Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
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PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

Stephen F. Austin heads to Beaumont to face Lamar on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET at the Montagne Center. It’s a Southland Conference game on ESPN+. SFA comes in 16-3 and has traveled well at 7-3 on the road, while Lamar is 10-9 and has been decent at home at 5-4. SFA is a short road favorite

2026-01-24
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Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers VS Rider Broncs
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PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

Rider heads to Knott Arena in Emmitsburg to face Mount St. Mary’s on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET, with ESPN+ streaming this MAAC matchup. Rider is 2-16 and still looking for its first true road win at 0-10 away. Mount St. Mary’s is 8-13 with a 4-4 home record, and the Mountaineers are laying -8.5 in a

2026-01-24
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Denver Pioneers VS North Dakota Fighting Hawks
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PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

North Dakota heads to Denver to face the Denver Pioneers on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET at Hamilton Gymnasium. It’s a Summit League matchup with Denver favored by 4.5. North Dakota comes in 11-12 with a 4-6 road record, while Denver is 9-12 but has been notably better at home at 6-3. This line makes sense when

2026-01-24
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SMU Mustangs VS Florida State Seminoles
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PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

Florida State heads to Moody Coliseum in Dallas to face SMU on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET, with ACCN carrying this game. Florida State is 8-11 and has struggled away from home with only one win in seven road games. SMU is 14-5 with an 11-2 home record, and the market is pricing this like a real

2026-01-24
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Boise State Broncos VS Air Force Falcons
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PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

Air Force heads to Boise to face Boise State on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET at ExtraMile Arena. It’s a Mountain West conference game on MWN. Boise State is 11-8 and has been solid at home at 8-4, while Air Force is 3-16 and still winless on the road at 0-6, which is basically why this spread

2026-01-24
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UNLV Runnin’ Rebels VS San Diego State Aztecs
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PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

San Diego State heads to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas to face UNLV on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET, with CBS carrying this Mountain West game. San Diego State is 13-5 and has traveled well (3-1 away), while UNLV is 10-8 with a solid 7-3 home mark. SDSU is laying -5.5 in a building

2026-01-24
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Bethune-Cookman Wildcats VS Jackson State Tigers
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PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

Jackson State heads to Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach to face Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with ESPNU carrying this SWAC conference matchup. Bethune-Cookman is favored by 8.5 at home, which makes sense on paper when you consider Jackson State is 2-11 on the road and has been tough to trust away from home. Bethune-Cookman is 4-3 in its

2026-01-24
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Wichita State Shockers VS Memphis Tigers
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PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

Memphis goes on the road to face Wichita State on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita. This American Athletic Conference game will be televised on ESPN2. Memphis comes in 9-9 and has struggled away from home at 1-5, while Wichita State is 12-8 and has played solid basketball in this building at

2026-01-24
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Wyoming Cowboys VS San Jose State Spartans
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PREVIEW AND PREDICTION

San Jose State heads to Arena Auditorium in Laramie to face Wyoming on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET, with MWN carrying this Mountain West matchup. Wyoming is 11-8 and has been strong at home (9-3). San Jose State is 6-13 and has not won a true road game yet at 0-8. That’s the main reason the number

2026-01-24
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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. 

Basketball
2026-01-30 19:00
Open
Rider Broncs
8 PICKS
Manhattan Jaspers
Basketball
2026-01-30 20:00
Open
Michigan Wolverines
14 PICKS
Michigan St Spartans
Basketball
2026-01-30 22:00
Open
UNLV Rebels
7 PICKS
Nevada Wolf Pack

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. 

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.