College Basketball Picks

College basketball picks for the 2024/25 season. Get college basketball expert picks against the spread and totals for the best matchups throughout college basketball every day. We also have you covered for the best action throughout March Madness 2024. Check out our College Basketball Best Bets for our top plays on today’s games.

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Confidence Rating
UNC Greensboro Spartans- NCAAB
UNC Greensboro Spartans- NCAAB
UNCG
Today
FS1
IND
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers
Game Totals Pick
Under 146.0(-110)

Indiana has scored at least 80 points in each of its’ first three games, but the under is the recommended bet in this matchup with UNC Greensboro. Under Mike Jones, the Spartans have historically played at a slow tempo, as they have ranked outside the top 300 in average offensive possession length in two of three seasons with Jones at the helm. Indiana has really pushed the tempo so far this year, ranking 22nd in average offensive possession length, per KenPom. There are just 21 teams quicker, but UNC Greensboro has played one of them in SMU. In their matchup with SMU, the game finished with 73 possessions and 149 points, but the free throw line played a big role in that. The teams combined to shoot 36/52 from the line, which helped push the game over the total by a single point. With potentially less free throws in this one, the game will have a good chance of staying under.

Lastly, UNC Greensboro’s defensive identity is to protect the paint and the Spartans have ranked in the top 100 of two-point percentage defense each of the last two years. Indiana owns one of the lowest three-point attempt rates in the country, so perhaps the UNC Greensboro defense will do just enough to keep the game under.

Under 146 available at publishing. Playable to Under 145.

 

Matt Marquart
Baylor Bears
Baylor Bears
BAY
Today
CBSSN
STJ
St. John's Red Storm - NCAAB
St. John's Red Storm - NCAAB
Point Spread Pick
Baylor -2.5(-105)

The Baylor Bears will face off with the St. John’s Red Storm in the opening game of the Bahamas championship. The winner of this matchup will play the winner of Tennessee and Virginia in this mini 4 team tournament. Baylor has gotten back on track since their opening night blowout loss to Gonzaga, winning 3 straight contests including an impressive 72-67 win over Arkansas. For the Johnnie’s, they have played up to the hype thus far, as they have a perfect 4-0 record including a comfortable win over the New Mexico Lobos. This should be a fun matchup between 2 talented teams, but there is an edge to be had on one side.

After Baylor’s embarrassing loss to Gonzaga where they gave up 101 points, coach Scott Drew decided that a change was needed on the defensive end right away. The adjustment he made vs Arkansas was switching to his 1-1-3 zone that he made famous during the early 2010’s. This gave a below average shooting team in Arkansas some real problems, and it could give St. John’s similar issues. Drew also made it a point to slow the pace down and prevent transition opportunities, an area in which the Red Storm thrive as well. Forcing St. John’s to become a jump shot reliant team should do wonders for a Baylor team that hasn’t been great when playing man to man.

Baylor also has avenues to success on the offensive end, and that’s starting with the offensive glass. They are 15th in the nation in offensive rebound rate, led by Norchad Omier, and they can exploit the one true weakness the Johnnie’s have defensively (166th in defensive rebound rate). The Bears should also have success in the pick and roll game with their plethora of guard options, and St. John’s has been poor defending these actions to start the season (19th percentile vs pick and roll handler, per Synergy).

These factors along with the Bears being tested away from home should give them the edge over a Red Storm team that hasn’t left the friendly confines of New York this season. Unless St. John’s has an outlier shooting day, Baylor’s defense matches up well when playing their zone, and they have more scoring talent. Back the Bears in the Bahamas on Thursday night.

Baylor -2.5 (-105) at time of publishing, playable at that number

Cody Laweryson
Siena Saints - NCAAB
Siena Saints - NCAAB
SIE
Yesterday
FS1
XAV
Xavier Musketeers - NCAAB
Xavier Musketeers - NCAAB
Point Spread Pick
Siena +26.0(-110)

Xavier has been perfect at home so far this season, and they’ll be looking to make it five wins in a row as they welcome the Siena Saints on Wednesday night.  Xavier has been terrific in their first four games of the season, averaging 85.3 points per game, and only allowing their opponents to score 66.5.  As for the Saints, they are averaging 74 points per game, while giving up 73.8 points per game in their first four games of the season.  As both teams have had a decent start to the season, only one team will emerge victorious tonight, which brings us into our Siena vs Xavier prediction. 

The Big East is loaded with talent, and I think Xavier could end up at the top of the standings by the end of the season.  Xavier has players like Ryan Conwell who is averaging 18.8 points per game, Zach Freemantle averaging 17.0 points per game, and Dayvion McKnight with 13.5 points per game. The Saints also have plenty of players who can score, too.  Justice Shoats is averaging 19.8 points per game, Major Freeman with 14.5, and Brenda Coyle with 13.5.  Shoats and this Saints team will pressure Xavier, aiming to disrupt their ability to move the ball and limit the wide-open shots.  At the end of the day, Xavier is more talented on paper compared to the Saints, plus the Musketeers defense will be able to disrupt Siena’s flow and get them uncomfortable at times, forcing turnovers that Xavier will capitalize on. But at the end of the day, I think Siena will be able to get a few turnovers themselves and keep this game closer than most would think, making them my best bet of the day.  

Siena vs Xavier prediction: Siena +26 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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Jason Fragomeni
Mount Saint Mary's Mountaineers- NCAAB
Mount Saint Mary's Mountaineers- NCAAB
MSMU
Yesterday
FS1
GT
Georgetown Hoyas - NCAAB
Georgetown Hoyas - NCAAB
Point Spread Pick
Georgetown -13.0(-110)

As Mount St. Mary’s makes the short trip to Georgetown, we are here with a Mountaineers vs Hoyas prediction for Wednesday. Both programs are off to a good start this season despite modest preseason expectations. Georgetown is expected to be improved, but still in the bottom half of the Big East standings. They are 2-1, with the loss coming to Notre Dame. The Mountaineers are 3-1, taking a 30-point loss to Maryland, but also gathering a win over a respectable Bucknell team. I’m not sure either of these teams has a consistent identity yet, so this game has a wide range of outcomes. But my Mount St. Mary’s vs Georgetown prediction is Georgetown -13.

I think 13 points is a sizeable number of points for a Georgetown team that is not really great, so there is some risk here. I do not doubt that Ed Cooley has things heading in a good direction, but this is still a team with a lot of flaws. One flaw so far is that they have yet to shoot well from outside the arc in any of their first 3 games. That happens sometimes, but when it happens in each of the first 3 games, it is starting to look like a trend. It is hard to beat an opponent badly without an effective 3-ball. As for the Mount, this is a team picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the Metro Athletic. They are operating under a new head coach, and they have very few returning players. They got rocked by a Maryland team expected to finish near the bottom of the B1G, and that has me thinking that the major conference teams are just going to have the Mountaineers outmatched. Also, Georgetown has a 12-point win already over fellow-MAAC team Fairfield, a team expected to be better than Mount St. Mary’s. Let’s roll with the home team from the major conference who should also have a talent advantage.

Mount St. Mary’s vs Georgetown prediction: Georgetown -13 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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Chad Hartsock
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini
ILL
Yesterday
ALA
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide
Point Spread Pick
Alabama -8.0(-110)

The Crimson Tide and Fighting Illini square off in a showdown between Alabama’s high powered offense and Illinois’ stifling defense on Wednesday. For both squads, this game is an early test that will reveal much about their potential this season. We have a pretty good understanding of who Illinois will be, however, this is more for CBB to see how Alabama plays in a comeback spot.

Alabama looks to bounce back after an 87-78 loss to Purdue in West Lafayette, their first ranked test of the season. With five days to regroup, the Tide will benefit from the home crowd in Birmingham. However, questions linger for Nate Oats’ squad. Similar to other SEC programs, concerns remain about their defense, as they struggled in the paint and rely heavily on offense. Mark Sears, a preseason National Player of the Year candidate, has yet to hit his stride, shooting 1-of-6 from deep against Purdue. Despite these concerns, Alabama’s potent offense should prevail against Illinois in tonight’s matchup.

Illinois, on the other hand, faces its first ranked opponent of the season. While the Illini are averaging 89.3 points per game, the competition has been soft, as we can gather from early November college basketball, leaving uncertainty about how they’ll fare against a powerhouse. Led by Tomislav Ivisic and Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell, Illinois boasts immense talent but is still gelling. Home court and urgency favor Alabama, who needs to clean up its 3-point shooting and interior defense. I don’t see them coming out soft against #25 Illinois. Expect the Tide to bounce back and cover the 8-point spread in a statement win.

Illinois vs Alabama Prediction: Alabama -8 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook for the NFL season, we recommend checking out Fanatics Sportsbook, where new users can sign up now and secure up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets. And if you’re in New York, you can bet $5 and INSTANTLY receive $50 in no-sweat bets! Join Fanatics Sportsbook, where you can bet on our Illinois vs Alabama predictions.

Justin Ziolkowski

College Basketball Video

The Home Of Free College Basketball Expert Picks For The 2024/25 Season

College basketball picks for the 2024/25 season. Our experts crunch the numbers, betting trends, injury reports, and much more to produce the best free college basketball picks and every day throughout the season and into March Madness itself. 

Unlike many places, here at Pickswise, we have you covered all season long, whether it’s non-conference play, conference play, championship week, or March Madness, our NCAA basketball picks have you covered. Our College Basketball picks include a pick against the spread as well as on the points totals market, and both come with expert analysis and the key stats and trends. Check out our free college basketball picks today, and get all the latest College Basketball Odds

Free College Basketball Picks Explained

With 353 Division I college basketball teams there are plenty of opportunities to find good value college basketball picks. With so many games played each day it is impossible for sportsbooks to get the lines correct for every single match. As sports bettors, this gives us a great opportunity to research the games, and find those edges to better serve our chances of long-term wagering success. That’s precisely what we do here at Pickswise. Our dedicated college basketball team covers every morsel of NCAAB action, leaving no stone unturned in the search for the best value picks for the top CBB action, and NCAA Basketball Futures, all of which are accompanied with full analysis, for free, only here at Pickswise. 

Free College Basketball Picks Against The Spread (ATS)

One of the more popular college basketball wagers is betting against the spread (ATS). Against the spread betting isn’t just picking a winner of the basketball game, it’s about picking the team who will win by a set margin, known as covering the spread.

Let’s say you bet your money that Team A covers the spread (wins by a certain amount of points), Duke -6.5 for example. Or that Team B will cover the spread (keep the game closer than oddsmakers expect), Kentucky +6.5. If Duke beat Kentucky 64-60, then Kentucky would cover the spread, and underdog backers will cash their tickets on Kentucky +6.5 points.

The disparity is a big thing in many college basketball matchups and as such Moneyline betting will often see small odds about a favorite. Betting against the spread is very common, for this reason. It allows bettors to wager on the big favorites, who are expected to win,  at better odds, but also the opportunity to bet the underdog. These are the main reasons why college basketball against the spread betting is so popular, but it is also  one of our most popular college basketball picks on Pickswise. This is because knowing when an underdog might keep a game close or when potentially evenly matched teams might have blowout is very hard to predict without all the research, expertise, analysis and data our team has at its disposal. 

Free College Basketball Totals Picks (Over/Under)

The other main NCAAB wager is the totals which are simply betting over or under a set number of points in a game. This market is seen to be one of the easier markets to beat the book if you can get to grips with some of the most important statistics which contribute to how many points will be scored in a ball game.

Some of the most important factors to consider when handicapping totals in basketball are the number of possessions per team in a game and the pace of play. Our experts at Pickswise consider these key angles as well as matchups, injuries, and betting trends to determine which side of the line has the best chance of hitting, and we have a strong record of getting this right.

CBB Picks

All of our CBB picks are posted right here on the college basketball picks page, all season long. Our experts post their top CBB picks, along with a detailed analysis including the key stats and matchups ahead of that game. Our CBB picks include a pick on the money line, spread, and totals for every match we cover, check them out today. we also have reliable College Basketball Predictions daily throughout the season.

College Basketball Parlay Picks

With so many games available to bet on there’s always great potential for College Basketball Parlays. You could make it a multi-game pick combining different money line or against the spread bets or you might want to get creative with other bet types within a single game parlay. Remember when you parlay you need all included bets to win to cash your wager, but with all those odds multiplied it can be very lucrative.

The statistical method for NCAA Basketball Picks

Just like pro sport teams, the college basketball teams that have success often take a very statistical approach to their decision making, so why wouldn’t you do the same for your bets on them?

At Pickswise we don’t believe in chance bets, our expert team comb through all the data, do all the analysis and provide all their research so you can have confidence in our College basketball picks.

Andrew Wilsher, Pickswise Managing Editor

More Than Just College Basketball Picks

At Pickswise we don’t just cover College Basketball Picks, collegiate sports fans will be pleased to know we also have free weekly expert College Football Picks too.

We also have expert handicappers for each of the professional sports in North America including our NFL Picks, MLB Picks, NBA Picks, and NHL Picks. Check out all of our sports betting picks today. 

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