Best College Basketball Odds for Today

College Basketball Betting Lines & Odds

Interpreting odds for the first time can be an intimidating process. But like everything else, practice makes perfect. We’ll teach you how to understand college basketball’s betting language, NCAAB betting odds, how to bet on NCAAB games, increase your chances of winning wager and ultimately grow your bankroll when betting on this popular sport.

By the end of this guide, if you’re not ready to make the right NCAAB picks but want to wager, our college basketball picks page can help. But before you place your first bet, let’s go over what the experts already know.

How College Basketball Odds Work

Understanding how to read college basketball odds is a fundamental skill for any bettor. Odds are the sportsbook’s way of presenting the likelihood of an outcome, along with the potential payout. Here’s a simple breakdown to get you started:

Most sportsbooks in the United States use the American odds format, which are represented with either a positive (+) or negative (−) sign:

• Positive Odds (+): Indicate the underdog or the perceived weaker team. They show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For example, if a team is listed at +150, a $100 bet would have a payout potential of $150 if the team wins.
• Negative Odds (−): Indicate the favorite or the perceived stronger team. They show how much you must wager to win $100. For example, if a college team is listed at -200, you’d need to bet $200 to earn a $100 profit if the team wins.

For example, consider a college basketball matchup between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Kansas Jayhawks:

• North Carolina Tar Heels: +165
• Kansas Jayhawks: -200

If you bet $100 on the Tar Heels and they win, you’d earn $165 in profit. If you bet $200 on the Jayhawks and they win, you’d earn $100 in profit.

What are the different types of NCAAB bets?

The leading online sportsbooks offer 200+ betting options on a single college basketball game. Commonly placed college basketball bets 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 wins the college basketball game. The sportsbooks assess the two teams, determine an underdog and a favorite and then release the moneyline odds.

For example:

• North Carolina Tar Heels +165 at BetMGM
• Kansas Jayhawks -200 at FanDuel

In this hypothetical game, the Kansas Jayhawks are the betting favorites. A $100 bet on the Kansas Jayhawks would earn you a $50 profit if they won the game. On the other hand, a $100 bet on the North Carolina Tar Heels would earn you a $165 profit.

Point Spread Betting

With college basketball point spreads the oddsmakers at betting sites 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 a points handicap to that team.

This results in a point spread and it allows the sportsbooks to “level out the playing field” for both teams.

• North Carolina Tar Heels +4.5 (-115) at BetMGM
• Kansas Jayhawks -4.5 (-105) at FanDuel

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

• Bet on the North Carolina Tar Heels at +4½, meaning they would need to win the game or lose by no more than 4 points for the bet to cash.
• Bet on the Kansas Jayhawks at -4½, meaning 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 win (moneyline.) That is known as a pick’em and it is rare.

Point Totals Betting (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 college basketball game. The sportsbooks will release a total points line on each college game. For example:

• Over 151 points (-110) at BetMGM
• Under 151 points (-110) at FanDuel

If you expect North Carolina and Kansas 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.

There will be a standard total points line, but you will also find alternate total points lines. They allow you to move the betting line down or up, which updates the odds. You will also find alternate points lines for both college basketball teams.

How To Bet on College Basketball Props

College basketball props are wagers on specific events or player performances within a game, rather than the game’s final outcome. These bets add excitement and variety, allowing bettors to focus on individual moments or stats.

Player Props

Player props involve predicting how a specific player will perform during a game. Common examples include:

• Points Scored: Will a player score over or under a set number of points?
• Rebounds: Will a player grab more or fewer rebounds than the line set by the sportsbook?
• Assists: Will a player record over or under a specific number of assists?

Player props offer an exciting way to focus on individual performances rather than team outcomes. By analyzing player stats, matchups and recent form, bettors can make informed predictions and enjoy a personalized betting experience.

Team Props

Team props focus on group performance rather than individual players. Examples of this type of college basketball prop bets include:

• Total Team Points: Will a team score over or under a certain number of points?
• Three-Pointers Made: How many three-point shots will a team sink during the game?
• First Team to Score: Which team will score the game’s first points?

Team props let bettors concentrate on specific aspects of a team’s performance, adding variety to their wagering options. These bets are great for analyzing team strengths and strategies, providing opportunities to capitalize on unique game scenarios.

Game Props

Game props center on game-specific occurrences or statistics. These bet types may include:

• Will the game go to overtime?
• Total combined turnovers by both teams.
• Winning margin for a specific team.

By exploring player, team and game props, bettors can diversify their wagers and focus on niche aspects of a college basketball game. These bets require research and strategy but can offer plenty of options and substantial payouts for the informed bettor.

How To Bet on Futures Odds

College basketball futures bets allow you to bet on long-term outcomes such as which team will win 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.

Below is an example of college basketball futures odds:

• Kansas Jayhawks: +500 at FanDuel
• Duke Blue Devils: +800 at BetMGM

If you place a $100 bet on the Kansas Jayhawks at +500, you would win $500 in profit if they win the NCAA Championship. A $100 bet on the Duke Blue Devils at +800 would yield an $800 profit if they secure the title.

Popular futures bets include the NCAA Championship winner, conference champions, Final Four teams and individual player awards at the end of the college basketball season. These bets are ideal for fans who enjoy season-long engagement and are willing to accept higher risks for the potential of larger payouts.

How To Bet on the First Half or Second Half

You can also bet on the first or second half of a college basketball game, including the big games during March Madness and the National Championship. Sportsbooks release the exact same key betting options spreads, moneylines, totals and props and both halves of a college basketball game. See the following for an example of a second-half bet:

• North Carolina Tar Heels (+2½) at BetMGM
• Kansas Jayhawks (-2½) at FanDuel

In this example, the Kansas Jayhawks are the favorite team to win a basketball tournament. A $110 bet on Kansas would earn you a $100.00 profit if they covered the first-half spread, whereas a $110 bet on North Carolina would also earn you a $110 profit.

What other types of NCAAB bets exist?

Beyond traditional moneyline wagers and points spread bets, college basketball fans can bet on their favorite teams in a wide range of other ways, including the following popular types of bets:

Live Betting

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

You can continue betting until the game ends, but make sure to do your research. You want to avoid betting with your pride at all costs. If not, there’s a slight chance you’ll win but odds are, you’ll eventually deplete your bankroll.

Let’s say the Michigan Wolverines are playing the Duke Blue Devils and the college basketball betting odds to start the game are:

• Michigan (+3 -110)
• Duke (-3 -110)

In the first half with 10 minutes remaining, the point spread odds have adjusted to reflect the performance of Duke to start the game against Michigan. The in-play odds have adjusted to favor Duke 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 parlay, the odds of you winning are much greater. For example, let’s say you like these three wagers:

• Duke Blue Devils (-3.5 -110)
• Michigan Wolverines and Duke Blue Devils (Under 150 Total Points)

If you combined them into a two-team $100 college basketball parlay, you would earn a profit of $264.46. 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 and you lose the wager.

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 wagers.

• Research Team & Player Statistics: Study team and player performance, including points scored, rebounds, assists and shooting percentages. Understanding strengths and weaknesses gives you an edge when choosing bets.
• Evaluate Recent Form: Focus on recent games to assess current form. Teams on winning streaks or players hitting peak performance may present better betting opportunities than season-long averages suggest.
• Consider Matchups: Analyze how teams and players perform against specific opponents. Factors like defensive styles, pace of play and head-to-head matchup results can heavily influence outcomes.
• 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 a 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 Sportsbook Odds: Compare odds across multiple online sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps to maximize your potential payouts. Even small differences in odds can add up over time. Look for the most competitive college basketball betting lines available from top online sports betting operators.
• Consider Using Our College Basketball Computer Picks: If you’re unsure about making a wager, our computer picks offer data-driven predictions to help guide your decisions and improve your betting strategy. We offer moneyline, spread, totals and prop picks.
• Take Advantage of Sportsbook Bonuses & Promo Codes: Many sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses, bonus bets and bonus codes for new and existing users. Use these sportsbook promos to extend your bankroll with bonus cash and reduce risk when getting in on the basketball action.
• Watch for Trends: Identify patterns, such as teams consistently covering spreads or games frequently hitting the over or under. Betting trends can provide valuable insights.
• Avoid Betting With Emotion: Stick to the data and avoid letting personal bias or fandom influence your decisions. Logical, informed bets yield better results than emotional ones.

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

Conclusion

With this guide, you’ve gained a solid foundation in understanding and betting on college basketball. We’ve covered the basics of reading odds, the various types of bets you can place and even advanced strategies to enhance your betting experience.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your betting tactics, the information provided here will help you make informed decisions, increase your chances of winning and possibly grow your bankroll.

Remember, successful betting involves research, understanding the odds and responsible wagering. So use this guide as your go-to resource for NCAAB betting and always bet with confidence.

College Basketball Odds: Frequently Asked Questions

How do basketball odds work?

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.

Where can I bet on the NCAA Tournament?

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

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.

Are moneyline bets worth it?

Yes, moneyline bets can be worth it, especially in situations where there is a clear favorite or underdog. They offer a straightforward way to bet on the outright winner of a game, providing simplicity and potentially attractive odds for informed sports bettors.

What are college prop bets?

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