Every year, 68 NCAA Division I college basketball teams enter the March Madness tournament in hopes to win it all. March Madness is only a short month away, so you might be thinking about betting on your favourites.
Before you jump right in, you should know what you are getting yourself into. Even if you watch basketball religiously, betting is a whole different story.
Keep reading to learn some of the best college basketball betting strategies.
Know What Teams Are Good Against the Spread
One of the main college basketball strategies that bettors use is understanding how teams perform against the spread. Being aware of which teams cover against the spread (ATS) can help you win.
If you look at last season, the best ATS winners in college basketball were:
- MTSU
- Jacksonville
- Peters
- Long Beach State
- NC – Wilmington
Last season, there were also great teams to bet against the point spread. The teams were:
- Pacific
- NC State
- Oregon State
- Marshall
- Miami – Ohio
This means that these teams rarely cover the spread, so you’re better off betting against their opponent.
This betting system is one of the most profitable options, but it takes time to retrieve the data because there are so many teams. Knowing who is currently good or bad at covering the spread is ideal for NCAA betting.
Stay on Top of Current Trends
During the regular season, you’ll start noticing trends for the teams you are betting on. When you understand the flow of the season, you have a better chance of making money.
You can utilize resources to access NCAA basketball betting trends and other information. This website is helpful if you are looking for free picks and predictions: https://www.oddstrader.com/ncaa-college-basketball/picks/.
Take what you learn from various research and create your own notes on the hottest trends.
Last season, Bowling Green had a record of 21-8-0 (72.4%) on Overs. In contrast, Eastern Illinois had the same record for Unders.
Last season, you would’ve had a 72.4% chance of winning if you bet the Over in a Bowling Green and the Under in an Eastern Illinois game.
In addition to knowing the trends, look into rosters and lineups when betting on NCAA basketball. Unlike the NBA, college players will eventually graduate or declare for the NBA Draft early. These elements can affect your bets.
Pay Attention to Over/Under Trends
We talked about two examples of Over/Under trends above, but let’s emphasize the importance of this betting system. Most betting systems revolve around the point spread, but Totals markets are just as essential.
Bettors can wager their money on full-game totals, first-half totals, or second-half totals. The market is versatile and can provide you with a lot of information.
A lot of largely favoured teams play hard in the first half to get a big lead. Because they aren’t as worried about winning the game being so far ahead, the second half might have less scoring.
You can use Over/Under strategies in different ways. The easiest way is to choose the favoured option. You can also wait it out to get a feel of how the game is being played and live bet the total.
Bowling Green was the top team to bet the over, but these were other great options from last season:
- Massachusetts
- UAB
- Sacred Heart
- Manhattan
Betting the under on an Eastern Illinois game was likely to win you some money last season. These teams were also favourites when you bet the over:
- Central Connecticut
- South Florida
- IUPUI
- UC Irvine
By understanding the favourites throughout the season, you can bet Over/Unders with factual data in mind.
Find the Best Scheduling Spots
The best NCAAB betting systems take a lot of work, but they are worth it when you cash out a wager. Finding the best scheduling spots and shopping around for the best numbers can get you the most out of betting.
Look up team schedules and choose the best spots based on the schedule. You can do this ahead of time to prepare for a bet and watch the line move.
In November, all Division I NCAA College Basketball teams begin their schedule with non-conference teams.
Bet on Power Six Conferences (Big 12, Pac-12, ACC, SEC, Big Ten, Big East) against lesser conferences in November and December.
Consider how teams play at home versus how they play away games. Typically, teams do better when they play at home. You might find that even a great team has a bad record for away games.
As mentioned before, this kind of betting system is going to take some digging and cherry-picking to figure out. It’s best to have a good pool of games to look at in a season before utilizing this strategy.
Pick a Niche
When you bet on college basketball, it’s best to focus on a few conferences. Unless you spend all of your time researching college basketball, it’s going to be impossible to follow all 353 Division I teams.
Using data from your chosen niche is essential to winning. Start with projection systems to get an idea of a team’s ability.
From there, you can follow people on social media or join the discord to get the opinion of professional cappers. Public betting data will help you understand sharp money and overvalued teams.
Creating a betting system of your own with the data you find is going to take time, but it will be helpful if you want to make money on college basketball. Don’t forget to track your progress and tweak your strategies.
College Basketball Betting Strategies Explained
There are various college basketball betting strategies, but these are the most common. When you do your own research and look at interesting data, you might find that a different system works for you.
College basketball is volatile, but over time you’ll start to notice trends that can help you make a profit. Keep these strategies in mind when you are ready to make a bet.
Take advantage of bonuses
Bonuses are an excellent way to increase your chances of winning when wagering on sports. By taking advantage of the many promotions, offers, and incentives offered by online sportsbooks, you can get more bang for your buck and maximize your potential returns. Bonuses can range from cashback deals to bonus bets, free spins on slots, and even deposit match bonuses. By understanding the different types of bonuses available and how to use them effectively, you can make sure that your basketball betting experience is even more profitable.
Planning a romantic mini break