Today's College Basketball Odds & Betting Lines

Reading College Basketball Betting Odds

College basketball odds show how much you can win based on the amount you wager. Many sportsbooks use the American odds format, which presents odds as either a positive or negative number. These odds tell you two things: the implied probability of a team winning and the potential profit from a successful bet. Here’s how to read college basketball odds:

• Positive NCAAB Odds (+): These betting odds indicate the underdog team. The number shows how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.
• Negative NCAAB Odds (–): These betting odds indicate the favorite team. The number tells you how much you need to bet to win $100.

Understanding how the most popular betting odds format works is crucial for comparing risk vs. reward across different bet types, including moneylines, point spreads and totals. Always consider the odds carefully, as they impact how much value you’re getting from your wager.

What are the different types of NCAAB bets?

The leading online sportsbooks offer 200+ betting options on a single college basketball game, giving bettors plenty of ways to wager beyond simply picking a winner. These bets range from straightforward moneyline wagers to more complex options like player props and live betting. Common NCAAB bet types include:

Moneyline Betting

For the easiest way to bet on a college basketball game, look no further than college basketball moneyline bets. Simply put, it’s a prediction on which team will be the outright winner. The sportsbooks assess the two teams, determine an underdog and a favorite and then release the moneyline odds.

For example:

• Duke Blue Devils +165 at BetMGM
• Kentucky Wildcats -200 at FanDuel

In this hypothetical college basketball matchup, the Kentucky Wildcats are the favorites. An initial stake of $100 on the Kentucky Wildcats would earn you a $50 profit if they won the game. On the other hand, a $100 bet on the Duke Blue Devils would earn you a $165 profit if they secure a straight-up win instead.

Point Spreads

With college basketball point spreads the oddsmakers will assess the weaknesses and strengths of the teams, focusing on offensive and defensive stats, recent results, head-to-head matchups, injuries and so on. They determine which team is stronger and they assign them a points handicap. This results in a point spread which allows the sportsbooks to “level out the playing field” for both teams.

For example:

• Michigan State Spartans +4.5 (-115) at BetMGM
• UCLA Bruins -4.5 (-105) at FanDuel

In this example, the sportsbooks have priced the UCLA Bruins as the favorite to win. You have two options:

• Michigan State Spartans at +4½: They would need to win the game or lose by no more than 4 points for the bet to cash.
• UCLA Bruins at -4½: They would need to win the game by 5 or more points for the ticket to cash.

There is always a favorite and an underdog in an NCAAB game. If both teams are deemed to be evenly matched, there will not be a point spread and you can bet on either team to beat the other. That is known as a pick’em and it is rare.

Point Totals (Over/Unders)

College basketball totals are another popular NCAAB bet. All you have to do is estimate how many total points will be scored in a specific game. The sportsbooks will release a total points line on each college game throughout the entire college basketball season.

For example:

• Arizona vs. Gonzaga – Over 151 points (-110)
• Arizona vs. Gonzaga – Under 151 points (-110)

If you expect Arizona and Gonzaga to have a combined score of at least 151 points, you can bet on the over. You should bet on the under if you believe the game will see 150 points or fewer. If the game lands exactly on 151, there would be a push and both sides of the bet would be no-actioned, meaning bettors get their money back.

College Basketball Props

College basketball props let you wager on specific outcomes within an NCAA basketball game that don’t directly relate to the final score. These bets add variety and depth to your betting experience, especially if you’re following individual players or certain in-game events.

Props can focus on player performance, team stats or game milestones. They’re especially useful if you’ve done your homework on matchups and player tendencies, allowing you to find value beyond the standard moneyline, spread or total. Popular props include:

• Player Points Scored: Bet on whether a player will go over or under a set number of points.
• Rebounds or Assists: Predict if a player will reach a stat benchmark.
• Three-Pointers Made: Bet on how many three-point shots a player will hit.
• Winning Margin: Decide how many points one team will win by, such as a specific range.

Some sportsbooks also offer same-game prop combinations or special event props during high-profile games and March Madness.

Futures & March Madness

College basketball futures bets allow you to bet on long-term outcomes, such as which college basketball team will triumph in the NCAAB Championship or a specific conference title. These bets are placed well before the event’s conclusion and often offer higher payouts due to the uncertainty.

Popular futures bets include the NCAAB Tournament champion, Final Four teams and conference winners. Bettors can also find odds on individual player awards and team performances leading up to the tournament.

Below is an example of college basketball futures odds:

• Purdue Boilermakers: +500 at FanDuel
• UConn Huskies: +800 at BetMGM

If you place an initial stake of $100 on the Purdue Boilermakers at +500, you would win $500 in profit if they win the National Championship. A $100 bet on the UConn Huskies at +800 would yield an $800 profit if they secure the title.

Live Betting

Online sportsbooks allow you to keep betting on games after they have started. This is also known as “live betting” because moneylines, total points lines, props and alternate college basketball lines will dynamically update as the game progresses up until the game ends.

Let’s say the Arizona Wildcats are playing the Kentucky Wildcats and the college basketball betting odds to start the game are:

• Arizona (+3 -110)
• Kentucky (-3 -110)

In the first half, with 10 minutes remaining, the point spread odds have adjusted to reflect the performance of Kentucky to start the game against Arizona. The in-play odds have adjusted to favor Kentucky by –7, while the pregame odds were –3.

Parlay Betting

A parlay bet lets you combine predictions on multiple college basketball games into a single, more challenging wager. Because it’s harder for you to win a multi-game or same-game parlay, the odds of you cashing out are much greater.

For example, let’s say you like these three options:

• Texas A&M Corpus Christi (-3.5 -110)
• Arkansas State and Idaho State (Under 150 Total Points)
• North Carolina Tar Heels (+4.5 -110)

If you combined them into a three-team $100 college basketball parlay, you would earn a profit of $595.79. The winnings from each leg roll over onto the next leg, meaning the profit compounds inside the parlay, leading to large payouts. However, if one leg fails, the parlay fails.

College Basketball Betting Tips & Strategies

Success in college basketball betting requires more than just luck — it involves research, discipline and strategic planning. Use these tips and strategies to improve your chances of making profitable decisions:

• Research Team & Player Statistics: Study team and player performance, including rebounds, assists and shooting percentages. Understanding strengths and weaknesses gives you an edge when choosing bets.
• Monitor Player Injuries & Team Rosters: Stay updated on injury reports, suspensions or changes in lineups in real time. A missing key player or coach can significantly impact an NCAAB team’s performance in a single game or throughout the entire regular season.
• Pay Attention to Home Court Advantage: Home teams often perform better due to fan support and familiarity with their environment. However, consider how well the opposing team performs on the road.
• Shop for the Best Odds: Compare betting odds across multiple major sportsbooks and mobile sportsbook apps to maximize your potential payouts. Even small differences in betting odds can add up over time. Look for the most competitive college basketball betting lines available from popular sports betting platforms, including Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Adjust Your Betting Strategy for Big Games: The National Championship is unpredictable, with upsets and Cinderella stories shaping the bracket. Look for teams that excel in neutral-site games, have strong defensive efficiency or feature experienced guards — key factors that often lead to deep March Madness runs.
• Consider Our NCAAB Picks: If you’re unsure about making a wager, our college basketball computer picks offer data-driven predictions to help guide your decisions and improve your betting strategy. We offer plenty of options, including moneyline, spread, totals and prop picks.
• Utilize Sportsbook Bonuses & Promo Codes: Most sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses, bonus bets and bonus codes for new and existing users. Use these sportsbook promo codes and bonus offers to grow your bankroll with bonus cash and reduce risk when getting in on the basketball action throughout the entire NCAAB season.

By implementing these strategies, you can approach college basketball with confidence, improve your decision-making and increase your chances of growing your bankroll.

Conclusion

College basketball betting brings fast-paced action and plenty of opportunities for sharp bettors. Whether you’re wagering during the regular season or diving into the intensity of March Madness, success comes from staying informed, managing your bankroll and finding value in the odds.

College Basketball Odds: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you read basketball odds?

Basketball odds indicate the probability of an outcome and the potential payout. Negative odds (-) show the amount needed to bet to win $100, while positive odds (+) indicate the potential win from a $100 bet. Understanding odds helps in evaluating potential returns and making informed betting decisions.

What type of bet is best for basketball?

The best type of bet for basketball largely depends on individual preferences and knowledge of the game. Popular options include college basketball spreads, moneylines and totals (over/under) bets. Additionally, prop bets on specific player or team performances are also favored by many basketball bettors.

What are college prop bets?

College prop bets are specific wagers on individual player or team performances during NCAA basketball games. These prop bets can involve various aspects such as points scored by a player, rebounds, assists or even team statistics like total three-pointers made.

Where can I bet on the NCAA Tournament?

You can bet on the NCAAB Tournament at various legal sports betting sites and apps in states with legal markets, such as FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook. These college basketball betting sites offer welcome promos and competitive odds for college basketball.

Do all conference tournament winners go to the NCAA tournament?

Yes, all Division I conference basketball tournament winners receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. However, teams that don’t win their conference tournaments can still qualify through at-large bids, which are awarded by the selection committee based on season performance, strength of schedule and other factors.