Understanding College Basketball Betting
College basketball, known as NCAAB, attracts a massive following of online sports bettors in the U.S. With over 350 Division I schools and many smaller programs, NCAAB offers thousands of games for betting enthusiasts to wager on each season. The season starts with non-conference matchups, building up to the thrilling NCAA Tournament in March. This is when 68 teams compete in a single-elimination tournament to crown the national champion.
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Understanding Key College Basketball Betting Terms
Juice
Juice or Vig: Juice, also known as vig or vigorish, is a term used in betting to refer to the commission or fee charged by bookmakers or sportsbooks for placing a bet. It’s essentially the amount that the bookmaker charges you for taking your bet. Juice is typically represented as a percentage of the total amount wagered, with a common rate being around 10% of the bet.
Example: Let’s say you want to place a bet on an upcoming NCAAB game. The sportsbook offers odds of -110 on your chosen team, which means you would need to wager $110 in order to win $100 if your team is victorious.
Points Spread
Point Spread: The point spread is one of the most popular types of bets for college basketball. The favorite team is usually marked by a minus (-) sign and the underdog by a plus (+) sign.
For example, let’s say the Duke Blue Devils are playing the North Carolina Tar Heels, and the point spread is:
Duke Blue Devils: -5.5
North Carolina Tar Heels: +5.5
In this scenario, Duke is the favorite and is giving 5.5 points, while North Carolina is the underdog and is receiving 5.5 points. This means that Duke would need to win the game by more than 5.5 points to cover the spread, while North Carolina could lose the game by up to 5 points and still cover the spread.
So, if you bet on Duke, they would need to win the game by 6 or more points for you to win the bet. If they win by exactly 5 points, the bet would be considered a push, and your wager would be refunded. If you bet on North Carolina, they would need to either win the game or lose by 5 or fewer points for you to win the bet.
For example, if Duke wins the game 85-77, they would cover the spread because they won by 8 points, which is more than the 5.5-point spread. However, if they only win by 3 points, they would not cover the spread and a bet on North Carolina would win.
Moneyline
Moneyline: Moneyline Betting means that you have to wager on who you think will win the college basketball game. The odds are determined by the sportsbook and the favorite and underdog are marked by the odds.
For example, let’s say the Gonzaga Bulldogs are playing the Baylor Bears. The moneyline odds for the game are:
Gonzaga Bulldogs: -175
Baylor Bears: +145
In this scenario, Gonzaga is the favorite to win the game, as indicated by the negative number (-175). This means that a bettor would need to wager $175 on Gonzaga to win $100 if they win the game. On the other hand, Baylor is the underdog, as indicated by the positive number (+145). This means that a bettor who wagers $100 on Baylor would win $145 if the latter pulls off the upset and wins the game.
So, if you believe that Gonzaga will win the game, you would need to wager $175 to win $100. Alternatively, if you think Baylor will win, you would only need to wager $100 to win $145. Keep in mind that moneyline bets only require you to pick the winner of the game, and the odds reflect the probability of each team winning.
Totals
Over/Under Bets: An over-under bet, also known as a totals bet, is a type of college basketball betting where you wager on whether the total combined score of both teams in a game will be over or under a predetermined number set by the sportsbook.
For example, let’s say the Kentucky Wildcats are playing the Louisville Cardinals, and the over/under total for the game is set at 140 points.
If you bet the over, you are betting that the total combined score of the two teams will be higher than 140 points. If you bet the under, you are betting that the total combined score of the two teams will be lower than 140 points.
So, if the final score of the game is Kentucky 75, and Louisville 70, the total combined score would be 145 points, which is higher than the over/under total of 140 points. Therefore, if you bet the over, your bet would win.
Conversely, if the final score of the game is Kentucky 65, and Louisville 60, the total combined score would be 125 points, which is lower than the over/under total of 140 points. Therefore, if you bet the under, your bet would win.
College Basketball Stats
College basketball betting stats refer to the statistical information used by sports bettors to make informed decisions when betting on college basketball games. These stats can provide valuable insights into the performance of individual teams and players and trends and patterns in historical data. Some common college basketball betting stats include win-loss records, player stats, team stats, and betting trends.
- Win-Loss Records: These stats are basic but important because they provide information on how well a team has performed throughout the season.
- Player Stats: By analyzing a player’s past performance, you can get an idea of their current form and potential future performance.
- Team Stats: By analyzing team stats, you can identify patterns and trends that can help you predict the outcome of a game more accurately.
- Betting Trends: Track the historical performance of a particular team or conference against the spread or over/under totals, allowing you to identify potential patterns or trends that could affect the outcome of a game.
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College Basketball Betting Tips
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- Focus on the Conference Games: Conference games tend to be more competitive, as the teams are more familiar with each other and often have a rivalry. Betting on conference games can give you an edge.
- Pay Attention to the Spread: The spread is the point difference between the two teams, and it’s important to pay attention to it when placing bets. Some teams may have a tendency to cover the spread, while others may not.
- Shop Around for Odds: Different sportsbooks may offer different odds on the same game, so it’s important to shop around and find the best value for your bets.
- Look for Value in the Underdogs: Upsets are common in college basketball; it’s important to consider the underdogs when placing bets. Look for teams that have a chance to win outright or cover the spread.
- Research the Teams: Before placing a bet, make sure to research the teams and their recent performances. Look at their records, rankings, and any injuries or suspensions that may affect the game.
Legal States for College Basketball Betting
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
College Basketball Season and March Madness
College basketball season typically runs from November to early April, culminating in the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, commonly referred to as March Madness.
During the regular season, teams play games against other schools in their respective conferences, as well as in non-conference matchups. The regular season games are used to determine the teams that qualify for the postseason tournaments.
At the end of the regular season, there are conference tournaments where teams from the same conference compete for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The winners of these tournaments, along with the teams with the best records during the regular season, are selected to participate in the NCAA Tournament.
The NCAA Tournament consists of 68 teams, which are divided into four regions. Each region holds a tournament, with the winner advancing to the Final Four. The Final Four consists of the last four remaining teams in the tournament, who compete in a single-elimination format to determine the national champion.
March Madness
March Madness is an annual NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament held in March and April. The tournament consists of 68 men’s teams and 64 women’s teams, divided into regions and competing in a single-elimination format. The tournament begins with the First Four and Round of 64, followed by the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. The Final Four features the top four remaining teams who compete in a semi-final round, with the winners advancing to the national championship game. March Madness is a popular event for basketball fans and bettors alike, offering the chance to watch and bet on some of the best college basketball teams in the country.
NCAAB Conferences
America East Conference
9 teams – Features schools from the northeastern United States.
American Athletic Conference
11 teams – Conference formed from the merger of the Big East and Conference USA.
Atlantic 10 Conference
14 teams – Features schools from the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
15 teams – One of the premier conferences in college basketball, featuring many historically successful programs.
Atlantic Sun Conference
9 teams – Features schools from the southeastern United States.
Big 12 Conference
10 teams – One of the major conferences in college basketball, with many competitive teams.
Big East Conference
10 teams – Features many historic programs that were once part of the original Big East Conference.
Big Sky Conference
11 teams – Features schools from the western United States.
Big South Conference
11 teams – Features schools from the southeastern United States.
Big Ten Conference
14 teams – One of the premier conferences in college basketball, featuring many historically successful programs.
Big West Conference
9 teams – Features schools from the western United States.
Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)
10 teams – Features schools from the mid-Atlantic and southern United States.
Conference USA (C-USA)
14 teams – Features schools from across the United States..
Horizon League
12 teams – Features schools from the midwestern United States.
Ivy League
8 teams – Features some of the most academically prestigious schools in the United States.
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)
11 teams – Features schools from the northeastern United States.
Mid-American Conference (MAC)
12 teams – Features schools from the midwestern and eastern United States.
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
9 teams – Features historically black colleges and universities from the southeastern United States.
Missouri Valley Conference (MVC)
10 teams – Features schools from the midwestern United States.
Mountain West Conference (MWC)
11 teams – Features schools from the western United States.
Northeast Conference (NEC)
10 teams – Features schools from the northeastern United States.
Ohio Valley Conference (OVC)
12 teams – Features schools from the southeastern and midwestern United States.
Pac-12 Conference
12 teams – One of the major conferences in college basketball, featuring many competitive teams.
Patriot League
10 teams – Features academically prestigious schools from the northeastern United States.
Southeastern Conference (SEC)
14 teams – One of the premier conferences in college basketball, featuring many historically successful programs.
Southern Conference (SoCon)
10 teams – Features schools from the southeastern United States.
Southland Conference
13 teams – Features schools from the southern United States.
Summit League
10 teams – Features schools from the midwestern and western United States.
Sun Belt Conference
12 teams – Features schools from the southeastern and southwestern United States.
West Coast Conference (WCC)
10 teams – Features schools from the western United States.
Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
9 teams – Features schools from the western and southwestern United States.
Independents
8 teams – Schools that are not affiliated with a specific conference.
NCAAB History
College basketball has a long and rich history in the United States. The first official college basketball game was played in 1895 between Hamline University and the University of Minnesota. The game was played under rules different than that of the modern game, with nine players on each team and a jump ball after each basket. Over time, the rules were changed and refined, and the game became more popular.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was formed in 1906 to regulate college athletics, including basketball. The first NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship was held in 1939, and has since become one of the most popular sporting events in the United States, known as “March Madness”. The tournament features 68 teams competing in a single-elimination format over three weeks, with the winner being crowned the national champion.
Over the years, college basketball has produced some of the most iconic players and coaches in sports history, including John Wooden, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and many others. The sport continues to grow in popularity and has become a staple of American culture, with millions of fans tuning in to watch their favorite teams compete each year.
NCAAB Teams With the Most National Championships
UCLA
Championships: 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995
Kentucky
Championships: 1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012
North Carolina
Championships: 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017
Duke
Championships: 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015, 2019
Indiana
Championships: 1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987
Connecticut
Championships: 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014
Kansas
Championships: 1952, 1988, 2008
Villanova
Championships: 1985, 2016
Louisville
Championships: 1980, 1986, 2013
Cincinnati
Championships: 1961, 1962
San Francisco
Championships: 1955, 1956
Michigan State
Championships: 1979, 2000
