College Basketball Picks & Predictions for Today

Free College Basketball Picks

Computer picks are generated with advanced computer algorithms that sift through numerous data points and run simulations to produce highly accurate game forecasts. OddsTrader’s individual picks are each made with millions of calculations to assess the strengths of both teams, factoring in past performance and game situations, ensuring you’re always placing the best bets possible.

We then use these simulations to predict outcomes and NCAAB scores and to provide data-driven insights. You can learn more about our free picks for different types of bets below:

Moneyline Picks

Moneyline bets are one of the simplest and most popular types of bets in college basketball. With a moneyline bet, you’re wagering on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the point spread. This makes moneyline betting particularly appealing to those who want a straightforward approach to picking winners.

The odds for moneyline bets are expressed in positive (+) or negative (-) values, reflecting the implied probability of each team winning. A negative value indicates the favorite, while a positive value denotes the underdog. Our college basketball moneyline picks can help you identify the stronger team and the weaker team.

Example: Imagine an exciting matchup between the Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The moneyline odds might look like this:

• Duke Blue Devils: -150
• North Carolina Tar Heels: +130

If you bet $150 on Duke at -150 odds and they win, you will earn a profit of $100 (plus your initial $150 stake). Conversely, if you place $100 on North Carolina at +130 betting odds and they win, you would earn a profit of $130 (plus your $100 stake).

Picks Against the Spread

College basketball spread betting focuses on the margin of victory rather than simply picking a winner. Oddsmakers assign a point spread to even the playing field, giving the favorite a handicap and the underdog an advantage. Your goal with spread betting is to determine which team will “cover the spread.”

With spread betting, the favorite must win by more than the spread for the bet to succeed, while the underdog can win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread.

Example: Consider a matchup between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the UCLA Bruins. The point spread might be:

• Gonzaga Bulldogs: -5.5
• UCLA Bruins: +5.5

For this spread bet, if Gonzaga wins 80-75, they will fail to cover the spread score prediction because the margin of victory is only 5 points in this close game. A spread bet on UCLA would win in this case.

Point Total Picks

College basketball totals bets (also known as over/under bets) focus on the combined number of points scored by both teams in a game. Instead of picking a winner, you’re wagering on whether the final combined score will go over or under the total set by oddsmakers.

The total is influenced by factors such as team playing styles, pace of play and defensive efficiency. High-scoring teams often see higher totals, while teams with strong defenses or slower tempos tend to have lower totals. Our free college basketball totals picks forecast the scoring potential of the two teams in every matchup.

Example: Consider a matchup between the San Francisco Dons and the Montana State Bobcats. The sportsbook sets a college basketball total at 145.5 points:

• Over 145.5 (-110)
• Under 145.5 (-110)

If the final score is 78-72 (a total of 150 points), an over bet wins, while a bet on the under would lose. Conversely, if the final score between San Francisco and Montana State is 70-65 (a total of 135 points), then the under would cash.

Player Props Picks

Player props focus on individual player performances rather than team outcomes. These types of bets allow you to wager on a specific player’s key stats, such as points, rebounds, assists or three-pointers made. College basketball props are popular among bettors who follow players closely or want to focus on individual matchups.

Example: For this bet type, imagine a game between the San Francisco Dons and the Cleveland State Vikings. An individual player prop bet might look like this:

• Marcus Williams (San Francisco) vs. Cleveland State: Over/Under 17.5 points

Let’s say Williams scores 19 points in the game played against Cleveland State. A bet on the over would cash, while a bet on the under would lose.

Futures Picks

NCAAB futures bets focus on a broad spectrum of long-term outcomes rather than individual games. These wagers allow sports bettors to place bets on events that will be decided later in the NCAA basketball season, such as conference championships, Final Four participants or the NCAAB champion.

The NCAAB futures odds are set before the season begins and are adjusted based on team performance, injuries and betting action. Unlike traditional bet types that settle immediately after a game, futures bets require patience but often offer higher payouts due to their long-term nature.

Example: A sportsbook might list the following odds for the NCAA Tournament winner before the NCAAB season:

• Kansas Jayhawks: +800
• Duke Blue Devils: +1000
• UConn Huskies: +1200
• San Francisco Dons: +15000

If you place a $100 bet on San Francisco at +15000 and they win the national championship, the bet wins you $15,000 (plus your $100 initial stake). If they fall short and Duke wins, the bet loses.

Computer Picks for Parlay Wagers

Multi-game and same-game parlays are popular among college basketball bettors because of the potential for large payouts from a relatively small stake. By combining multiple bets into one ticket, you increase the total odds, which multiplies your potential profit. However, parlays also carry more risk — every leg must win for the bet to cash. If even one selection loses, then the entire bet loses.

To help reduce that risk and make smarter selections, many bettors use our computer-generated picks. These free picks are built using powerful algorithms that analyze team stats, matchup data, trends and other key factors to predict the most likely outcomes.

Example: Suppose you’re building a 3-leg parlay using computer picks and you decide on the following basketball predictions:

1. First Game Played: Cleveland State Vikings (-6.5) to cover the spread against Arkansas State Red Wolves
2. Second Game Played: Over 148.5 total points in a game between Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels
3. Third Game Played: Gonzaga Bulldogs (-400) to win outright against Saint Mary’s Gaels

If you wager $50 on this multi-game parlay at +600 betting odds and all three computer picks are correct, then your bet wins you $300 (plus your initial stake of $50).

Resources for College Basketball Predictions

Because there are multiple different aspects to NCAAB betting, many collegiate sports fans take advantage of tools and knowledge before placing any NCAAB picks.

There are numerous resources that college basketball betting experts and newcomers alike can utilize when betting on the multitude of matches throughout the regular season and the biggest games of the season, such as March Madness. These free college basketball resources include:

College Basketball Game Odds for This Week

You can see the listing for a given day’s slate of college basketball matches along with the spread and total for each game so you can compare them against the college basketball picks provided by the OddsTrader algorithm.

An overview like the one provided by this NCAAB odds page is necessary because there are so many NCAA basketball games to choose from. Simply scan the respective college basketball odds for the games on any given day and decide if any of them interest you. You can also see how the betting lines differ across the best basketball betting sites.

It is highly recommended to register with multiple online sportsbooks because some books might offer more attractive betting lines for a given side or total than other sportsbooks. In addition to line shopping, signing up at several sportsbooks gives you access to a wider range of promotions, including bonus bets, odds boosts and risk-free offers.

Against the Spread Season Records

A team’s straight-up record is not enough for a sports bettor to consider because it doesn’t account for a team’s ATS performance. In viewing a college basketball team’s ATS ranking, you can see whether oddsmakers are giving teams too much or too little respect.

For example, this is especially important in conferences like the Sun Belt Conference, where mid-major programs often outperform market expectations and fly under the radar compared to higher-profile leagues.

Check out how each team is performing against the spread (ATS) with our free college basketball ATS records. Oddsmakers are slow to make adjustments, so you can use ATS records to capitalize on teams that oddsmakers are still over- or underrating. This is a very important element that you can use when looking at how college picks could fare against the spread for a specific basketball team.

Weekly College Basketball Consensus

For a given side or total, some portion of the public will be on one play and the rest of the public will take the other. The public betting consensus is the side or total that the majority of the public thinks will win a game, based on a wide range of factors, including personal biases.

It is a common thought that one should go against the public. You would be mistaken, however, to always bet the opposite of the public consensus, as shown by betting statistics. Still, most bettors lose, so if you like a play and you find that the college basketball consensus is against it, then you can feel more confident with your college basketball predictions.

Daily College Basketball Injury Report

The player injury report is an extremely useful source of information for placing college basketball bets. With our comprehensive injury news, you can see which players are going to miss their team’s game every day.

NCAA basketball fans need to know who is playing before they make their sports betting picks because an injury to a starting player will most likely have an impact on the score. Injuries throughout the NCAAB season also impact college basketball predictions and picks for big events like March Madness.

Best College Basketball Betting Sites

Finding a trustworthy sportsbook is a key part of successful college basketball betting. The best college basketball betting sites stand out by offering fair betting lines, fast withdrawals, generous bonuses and an easy-to-use betting interface. With dozens of online sportsbooks available, choosing the right one can make a noticeable difference in your betting experience and results.

All of our top-rated online sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps are fully licensed and known for their reliability. These platforms consistently provide competitive odds on basketball games, allowing you to get the best value for your bets.

Whether you’re betting on a regular season matchup or a high-stakes NCAA Tournament game during March Madness, a good sportsbook will offer sharp lines and access to a wide range of betting markets. With the right platforms in your corner, you’ll be better positioned to take advantage of favorable lines and maximize your edge throughout the entire college basketball season.

Tips & Strategies for Placing the Best Bets

Betting on college basketball requires a blend of knowledge, strategy and discipline. Following these tips can help you make more informed decisions and increase your chances of success when getting in on the college basketball action:

• Study Team Trends & Key Stats: Analyze recent team performance and player stats, including wins, losses and trends against the spread (ATS). College basketball teams that are on a hot streak or consistently covering spreads may offer strong betting opportunities.
• Focus on Matchups: Assess how teams’ playing styles align with matchup reports. For instance, a team with a dominant interior offense may struggle in games played against an opponent with strong shot-blockers.
• Consider Home-Court Advantage: Home teams often perform better due to familiar environments and crowd support. Factor this into your analysis, especially in rivalry games or tough conference matchups.
• Monitor Line Movements: Pay attention to how the college basketball lines change leading up to the game. Significant shifts may indicate sharp money or late-breaking news affecting a team’s chances.
• Account for Injuries: Player availability can significantly impact outcomes. Always check injury reports before placing bets, as the absence of key players can alter a team’s dynamics and current form. Our NCAAB injury report is always up-to-date.
• Avoid Emotional Betting: Stay objective and avoid letting team loyalty or recent losses influence your decisions. Base your bets on data and analysis, not emotions.
• Leverage Resources: Use tools like our college basketball picks, ATS rankings and public betting consensus to supplement your research and identify value bets.
• Line Shopping: Bettors should compare odds across multiple sportsbooks to ensure they’re getting the best value for their bet. A small difference in odds can have a big impact on your long-term profitability.
• Use Sportsbook Promo Codes & Bonuses: Take advantage of welcome bonuses, bonus bets and other promotions offered by sportsbooks. These bonus offers can boost your bankroll and reduce your overall risk, especially when trying new betting strategies.

By combining these strategies with reliable college basketball picks, you can approach each game with a clear plan and improve your overall betting results all season long.

More Than Just NCAAB Picks

While our free college basketball picks are a standout feature, we offer expert insights and data-driven picks for all the major leagues. Whether you’re into the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL or college football, you’ll find free picks and accurate predictions tailored to each sport, backed by the same advanced analytics and expertise.

Our comprehensive coverage includes moneyline bets, point spreads, totals and props across every major league. This ensures you have access to reliable picks for all your favorite sports, giving you the tools to make more well-informed wagers year-round.

Whatever your betting interests, our platform delivers consistent, high-quality picks for the biggest games and events, helping you stay ahead no matter the season.

College Basketball Picks: Frequently Asked Questions

Is college basketball betting legal?

In the United States, some areas may have restrictions specifically on college sports. If sports betting is legal in your state, then you can check OddsTrader’s list of recommended sportsbooks to see which ones are offering college basketball betting lines in your state.

Is basketball hard to bet on?

Betting on basketball, like any sport, can be challenging due to unpredictability, player injuries and team performance variability. Making successful college basketball predictions requires understanding the game, teams and players, as well as analyzing betting trends. Data-driven sports picks can help with analyzing trends and statistics.

How do you predict basketball accurately?

Making accurate college basketball predictions involve analyzing factors such as a team’s records, player statistics, injuries and matchups. Utilizing advanced statistical models and algorithms, along with expertise, can help forecast outcomes when placing bets on college basketball. However, due to the inherent unpredictability of sports, perfect accuracy is not guaranteed.

Do college basketball computer picks always win?

While college basketball computer picks are a valuable resource that can help make you more likely to win bets, they do not always win. These college basketball picks are one resource among other valuable resources that can provide you with a deeper analysis of the most likely outcomes.

Are college basketball games shorter than the NBA?

Yes, college basketball matchups are shorter than NBA games. NCAA games have two 20-minute halves (40 minutes total), while NBA games have four 12-minute quarters (48 minutes total). The shorter game length impacts scoring, pace and betting totals.