College Basketball Best Bets for Today
BettingOdds.com provides the latest college basketball best bets based on our computer algorithm projections. Our supercomputer can simulate every game thousands of times to find its college basketball picks.
Check out the articles below for our college basketball picks and information about the sportsbooks with the best college basketball odds on these particular bets.
What are College Basketball Best Bests
There are dozens of games on a nightly basis, so finding the best college basketball bets can be a little tough. That's why we have relied on supercomputer technology to come up with final score predictions for each matchup, thus making it easy to find our best bets.
Benefits of using BettingOdds Best Bets
Here is why relying on the BettingOdds.com computer algorithm projection system is the best way to identify the best bets throughout the college basketball season.
Unbiased Computer Predictions
Our supercomputer doesn't root for a team or have any built-in biases. Instead, it crunches the statistics and forms a numbers-based opinion. Rest assured, our computer projection system is rooted in a finely tuned analytical approach.
Human Expert Insights
There is also an advantage to adding human nuance when making college basketball predictions. There can be late-breaking news like injuries or minute restrictions, which will have an outsized effect on a moneyline bet, a point spread bet, a scoring total bet, and more.
Odds Comparison
Once a bettor zeroes in on a college basketball best-bet prediction, the work isn't done. Numerous sportsbooks can be used to place the wager, and sometimes, the odds vary across operators. A bettor can guarantee the best possible payout by taking extra time to shop the odds.
Vast College Basketball Predictions
While the top-25 and big-conference matchups may get the majority of the attention, savvy college basketball bettors know that the best wagers can be found in many different places.
Thus, our vast catalog of college basketball projections really comes in handy, as good values can be found in the smaller conferences.
Sign-Up Bonus Offers and Odds Boosts
A sports bettor can maximize his or her winnings by paying close attention to promotional offers and odds boosts. Because of the vig, a 50% win rate will be a losing proposition over time, but sign-on bonus bets and using odds boosts via the sportsbooks can tilt the odds in favor of the bettor.
Best Betting Strategies for the College Basketball 2024 Season
Sports bettors use many strategies when betting on college basketball. There is no foolproof plan, and some betting strategies work better for some than others.
Here are 13 that are good to consider as the college basketball betting season approaches.
- Research Teams and Players: It's imperative to understand each team's strengths and weaknesses and why a particular bet is the best decision. Vibes are cool, but they're not the way to go with sports betting.
- Analyze Home and Away Performances: College athletes are already dealing with class and socializing in addition to their sport, and a road trip is another add-on for potential distractions. Check to see how a team fares on the road compared to at home and use that when considering college basketball wagers.
- Factor in Home Field Advantage: While every team gets a boost on the point spread for playing at home, not every setup is the same. For example, a home game at Duke with the Cameron Crazies providing an electric atmosphere is much different than a gym with a few hundred fans. Consider the venue when making a wager.
- Consider Head-to-Head Records: This may not always translate from year to year, but it's good to see how a school has stacked against another head-to-head, especially when the same coaches lead the way. It's particularly important in conference games, as teams face off at least two times in a season, and much can be gleaned from the first matchup.
- Evaluate Scoring Trends: Our computer algorithm does a great job at examining season-wide statistical production, but are there some hidden trends that a bettor can capitalize on? Check to see which players and teams are in a groove in the short term to help inform your wagers.
- Assess Odds Movement: Has a team gone from slight underdog to slight favorite after the betting lines were released? Is the point total moving? See what the sharp bettors are doing and take that into consideration.
- Assess Referee Tendencies and Their Impact on Games: Some referees are intent on calling games by the letter of the law. Others prefer to allow a flow by swallowing their whistles. These decisions can end up critical to several different types of bets, so know the referees that will be working the games.
- Stay Updated with our College Basketball News: There can be big changes during the college basketball season, spurred by injuries, ineligibility, coaching discipline, and more. Sometimes key players quit their teams completely. Make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
- Utilize In-Play Betting: If we knew exactly which way a game would go, betting would be easy. But once a game starts, the pregame research is either validated or tossed out. In-game betting allows gamblers to either double down or change course, depending on the action on the court.
- Explore Different Bet Types: The point spread is generally the most common type of bet, but plenty of others should be considered. The moneyline, the scoring total, player props, and parlay bets are other bet types that could be used for college basketball betting.
- Use the Sportsbooks with The Most Competitive Odds: BettingOdds.com will provide the sportsbook housing the best value odds for whichever wager you want to make. It is smart to sign up for multiple sportsbooks and use the one with the most optimal return.
- Manage Your Bankroll: It is natural to get excited or exasperated during sports betting, and the emotions can make a gambler want to add in more money quickly. But managing your bankroll correctly is extremely important, especially by not using funds you can't afford to lose.
- Stay Disciplined and Patient: While sports betting is full of highs and lows, the best bettors take a calculated approach. Understand when a value presents itself in college basketball betting, and don't stray from that philosophy.
Assessing College Basketball Team Performance for Choosing Your Best Bets
There are myriad factors to consider when making your best bets on college basketball.
- Player Availability: Injuries are a part of the game. Some coaches may be more open about availability than others, so take in as many clues as possible to determine whether a key player will be out or available for an upcoming game.
- Player Travel Fatigue: Conference games will mean a road trip and two games in three nights. That can take a toll on a player, especially if it's hard on them to settle in away from home. Road teams are at a disadvantage, which must be kept in mind.
- Offensive Efficiency: The college basketball analytics site KenPom does a nice job of nailing offensive efficiency after accounting for tempo. The most efficient offensive teams in the country are often the best, so it's a predictive statistic that is integral to know for college basketball betting.
- Past Luck: When teams win a lot of close games, observers tend to think they have an innate ability to do that over and over. But history tells us that close-game success is luck that will eventually regress to the mean. This is something to consider when betting on college basketball teams that have either good or bad records in close games.
- Psychological Factors: The most talented players and teams will come out on top most of the time, but there can also be psychological factors in play. If a player is in a slump, it can get in his head. But sometimes extra motivation is at hand in a particularly fierce matchup, so these things must be considered.
- Coaching: Some great tactical coaches use styles that best suit their personnel. Other coaches allow for more freewheeling play, depending on the players' talent. These coaching strategies and acumen can be key in college basketball wagering.
- Player Motivation: Every player gets hyped for the year's biggest games. But what about that non-conference matchup with an opponent no one has ever heard about? A lackadaisical game from a team's star can result in the underdog covering the point spread, so keep in mind player motivation.
How To Wager College Basketball Best Bets
Here is our step-by-step guide to placing college basketball best bets.
Step 1 - Check out the daily college basketball schedule and betting odds, then zero in on the best bets from the slate.
Step 2 - Study our college basketball predictions at BettingOdds.com and see if our computer algorithm has identified interesting betting picks.
Step 3 - Check the latest news on both teams so you are not surprised by any personnel or strategic changes.
Step 4 - Lock in on the best bets of the day for college basketball, then compare those odds at multiple sportsbooks to find the best value.
Step 5 - If you haven't already, Sign up for the sportsbook with the best odds. This will give you the best odds and allow you to place bonus bets from promotional offers.
Top Betting Sites to Place College Basketball Best Bets
Look at the top sportsbooks to place your college basketball bets.
DraftKings
DraftKings has a great selection of college basketball wagers at some of the best odds in the industry. Once you factor in odds boosts, sign-up promotions, and ease of the app, it's clear why this is one of the best betting sites available for college basketball picks.
FanDuel
FanDuel likewise has some of the widest range of college basketball bets available, and its odds are also competitive. For those who reside in states where college player props are legal, FanDuel is one of the best in this area.
BetMGM
BetMGM does a great job with its odds boost offers for college basketball betting. Add in a solid live betting setup on its app, and BetMGM is in competition as one of the top sportsbooks for NCAA basketball gambling.
Previous College Basketball Winners
- 2024 - UConn Huskies
- 2023 - UConn Huskies
- 2022 - Kansas Jayhawks
- 2021 – Baylor Bears
- 2020 – Tournament Canceled Due to COVID
- 2019 - Virginia Cavaliers
- 2018 – Villanova Wildcats
- 2017 – North Carolina Tar Heels
- 2016 – Villanova Wildcats
- 2015 – Duke Blue Devils
- 2014 – UConn Huskies
- 2013 – Louisville Cardinals
- 2012 – Kentucky Wildcats
- 2011 – UConn Huskies
- 2010 – Duke Blue Devils
Our Experts' Best Bet on College Basketball Winner for the 2024 Season
The best value bet to win the 2024-25 college basketball national championship is the Gonzaga Bulldogs at +2200 odds, per BetMGM. Gonzaga does not get as much attention during conference play because it is dominant against inferior competition but has shown year in and year out that it can hang with the bluebloods from the power conferences.
The Bulldogs welcome back star big man Graham Ike for 2024-25, along with talented guard Ryan Nembhard. Anton Watson will be missed, but plenty of talent is in the cupboard.
Gonzaga is our college basketball best bet to make the Final Four and cut down the nets as this year's national champion.
FAQ's
What Are the Best Resources for College Basketball Betting?
The top resource for college basketball betting is BettingOdds.com, which has a cutting-edge computer projection algorithm, expert college basketball insight from our staff, and a vast amount of game predictions every week.
Is It Legal to Bet on College Basketball Games?
The legality of sports betting is done on a state-by-state basis. But, yes, if a state has legalized sports betting, then it is legal to bet on college basketball games. However, some states allow betting on the teams, not individual player props.
How Can I Increase My Chances of Winning College Basketball Bets?
It's important to be well-researched and track any breaking news affecting a bet. Also, be on the lookout for odds boosts and sign-up bonuses to give yourself an ample shot at being a successful college basketball gambler.