Discover all you need to know about college basketball betting in this complete guide. Here you will learn about betting resources, types of wagers, betting tips, and the best online NCAAB bonuses. With loads of games, up-and-coming players, and fierce competition, there’s never been a better time to bet on college basketball.
Top College Basketball Sites for 2023
Contents of Our NCAAB Betting Guide
- Start With the Right College Basketball Betting Site
- Powerful NCAAB Betting Resources
- Types of College Basketball Bets Available
- Expert College Basketball Betting Strategy
- March Madness Betting Strategy
- How Popular is College Basketball?
- What’s the Most Popular College Basketball Team?
- What CBB Team Saw the Biggest Jump in Fan Attendance Year Over Year?
- Online College Basketball Betting FAQ
Popular Online College Basketball Betting Options
Find here a quick rundown of the types of wagers and top options for betting on college basketball:
BET TYPE | AVAILABLE ONLINE? | BEST SITE OFFERING | SINGLE GAME? | MINIMUM BET | Key tAKEAWAY |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Moneyline | Yes | BetUS.com | Yes | $1 | Best for first-time bettors; simplest bet |
Spread | Yes | BetUS.com | Yes | $1 | Best for betting on a team you expect to lose the game |
Total | Yes | BetOnline.ag | Yes | $1 | Best for betting on the tempo of the game; no need to pick a winner |
Futures | Yes | Sportsbetting.ag | No | $1 | Best for season-long wagers to win bigger payouts |
Prop | Yes | MyBookie.ag | Yes | $1 | Best for fun and unique ways to cash in on predictions |
Bracket | Yes | BetUS.com | No | Free | Best for a chance at big money and action all tournament long |
Moneyline Bets
![Michigan](png/michigan-wolverines-logo-101.png)
Definition: A moneyline bet is the most basic kind of college basketball betting wager. You choose which team you think will win an upcoming game. The underdog is marked by the (+), and the favorite by the (-).
Pros:
- Simplest bet you can make
- Doesn’t matter how many points a team wins by
- Fast payouts (only available on a single game)
Cons:
- Harder to win with underdogs (better payout though)
Top Strategy Tip: Make sure you fully understand how much you’re getting paid versus how much you’re risking. While the premise to win this bet is simple, the amount you get paid changes based on the likelihood of the team winning. It can make sense to bet on an underdog if you think the reward is worth the risk.
Spread Bets
Definition: A spread bet is a wager on which team will outperform their expectation. The NCAAB sportsbook sets how many points they think a team will win by, and the other team will lose by. The team marked by the (-) needs to win by more points for that side of the bet to win. The team marked by the (+) needs to lose by fewer points or else win outright to win the bet.
![Michigan](png/michigan-wolverines-logo-101.png)
Pros:
- Allows you to bet on teams you think will play better than expected but won’t necessarily win the game
- Fast payouts (only available on a single game)
Cons:
- Sometimes spreads are confusing if you’re brand new to betting on college basketball
- Ties are possible if the spread line is a whole number
Top Strategy Tip: For the best value, look for underdogs that might be poised to outperform. Additionally, if you wait right before game time to bet, you may be able to get even more points in your favor on underdogs.
Totals Bets
Definition: Also called over/under bets, these are wagers on the total number of combined points scored during the game. The sportsbook sets an NCAAB betting line on how many total points will be scored during the game. You bet on whether you think more or fewer points will be scored.
Both teams’ point totals are added together at the end of the game. If that number is lower than the set totals line, the under wins. If that number is higher, the over wins.
![Michigan](png/michigan-wolverines-logo-101.png)
Pros:
- Great way to bet on the flow of the game without having to pick a winner
- You can cheer for or against both teams
- Fast payouts (only available on a single game)
Cons:
- Payouts will normally be at (-110); you won’t win huge returns unless you bet big.
- Ties are possible if the totals line is a whole number
Top Strategy Tip: For totals in college basketball betting, it’s a good idea to put more weight on studying the defense. Many college basketball coaches are big on getting the fundamentals right, especially defense. By looking at both teams’ defenses you can get an idea if it will be a high-scoring game.
Future Bets
Definition: A college basketball futures bet is a wager on the winner of an upcoming tournament. Pick the team you think is going to win the tournament. If you’re right, you win.
Pros:
- Available on March Madness, conference tournaments, and invitationals throughout the NCAAB season
- Chance to win big money if you pick the right team and bet at the right time
Cons:
- You don’t get paid until the tournament concludes
- Higher variance (You are less likely to win, but you win more money when you do win)
Top Strategy Tip: The key to betting on college basketball futures is to get in at the right time. Ideally, you want to bet when the team is underperforming, but anticipating a comeback. A team you think is going to win their conference tournament or March Madness is not necessarily a smart bet. The returns will be lower, and there is a good chance they still might not win.
Prop Bets
Definition: A college basketball prop bet is a wager on events that happen within or around an upcoming game or tournament, rather than a winner or scoreline. These bets come in all shapes and sizes. You can usually bet either ‘yes’ or ‘no’, although there may be other options depending on the bet.
Examples:
- Gonzaga to go undefeated this season?
- Syracuse to reach the Final Four?
- Florida to get a technical foul in the Championship game?
Pros:
- Unique ways to capitalize on predictions that might not directly affect who wins the game
- Can be used for making money or for pure entertainment
- Fun! These are some of the most varied and occasionally downright silly bets you’ll find
Cons:
- Some prop wagers are strictly for entertainment (no way to gain an edge)
Top Strategy Tip: Understand the difference between prop bets designed strictly for entertainment and those that you can have an edge on. Betting on something like whether or not Gonzaga will go undefeated is more skill-based. You can get an edge by studying their form. However, betting on if the National Anthem at a Final Four game will be over 1:30 in length is designed for pure fun. There is no way to give yourself an NCAAB betting edge on this one!
March Madness Bracket Bets
Definition: A bracket bet is a betting contest where you attempt to predict the winner of every game of the March Madness tournament. You have to bet before the tipoff of the first game. Points are awarded based on an agreed-upon rule set.
Pros:
- Action on the entire March Madness tournament in one bet
- Ability to enter free contests to win life-changing money
- Great fun between friends, family, and coworkers
Cons:
- You don’t get paid until the end of the tournament if you win
- Hard to win!
Top Strategy Tip: There is no single tip here – you just have to do your research. Learn the strengths, weaknesses, and performance history of all the teams as best you can. Find our NCAA basketball betting resources below, for loads of data to inform your research.
Powerful NCAAB Betting Resources
We have tons of college basketball betting resources to help you make the most informed wagers possible. Whether you are looking for the top NCAAB betting sites and promotions, or basketball betting tips, picks, and strategies, we’ve got a page for you.
Best College Basketball Bonuses and Promotions
Here are the best promotions and bonuses from our top college basketball betting sportsbooks:
BetOnline | Bovada | Betus | everygame | sportsbetting.ag | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Bonus | 50% up to $1,000 | 50% up to $250 | 100% up to $2,500 | 100% up to $750 | 50% up to $1,000 |
Minimum Deposit | $55 | $20 | $100 | $20 | $55 |
Rollover | 10x | 5x | 10x | 4x | 10x |
Crypto Bonus | 100% up to $1,000 | 75% up to $750 | 150% up to $3,750 | 100% up to $750 | 100% up to $1,000 |
Minimum Deposit | $20 | $20 | $100 | $20 | $20 |
Rollover | 14x | 5x | 15x | 4x | 14x |
NCAAB Bracket Contest | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
NCAAB-specific Promotion | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Visit BetOnline | Visit Bovada | Visit BetUS | Visit Everygame | Visit Sportsbetting.ag |
Latest College Basketball Betting Picks
Our NCAAB experts’ top picks are a great resource if you don’t have time to do your own research. These betting recommendations are based on extensive research and knowledge of the game. Even if you know the NCAAB inside-out, it can still be helpful to know what the experts are recommending and why.
College Basketball News
Check out our college basketball news pages to stay on top of all the latest developments. Expect team news, injury reports, fixture announcements, and a whole lot more, alongside accompanying analysis. This is an invaluable resource for informing your own NCAA basketball betting options.
College Basketball Blogs
Visit our college basketball betting blogs for the latest rumors, talking points, advice, opinions, and analysis. Our basketball writers keep you on top of NCAAB developments, drop betting tips, and get you pumped for upcoming games.
How to Bet Using NCAA Basketball Lines
Betting on NCAA basketball is easy enough once you know a few basics:
Understand How Odds Work
First thing is to know how odds work. This is vital to understanding how much money you will make in return for a winning bet. But it is also important as it lets you know how likely the sportsbook judges an outcome to be.
![Kansas](png/kansas-jayhawks-logo-101x101.png)
![North Carolina](png/north-carolina-tar-heels-logo-101x101.png)
A (+) value represents the amount you win for every $100 you wager. For example, odds of (+110) mean you win an additional $110 on a $100 bet (so you get $210 back). Bets with (+) odds are generally given to more unlikely or underdog outcomes, for higher returns.
A (-) value represents the amount you need to wager to win $100. For example, odds of (-110) would mean you have to place $110 to win $100 (to get back a total of $210). This is generally given to bets the sportsbook deems more likely to win, for lower returns.
Decide What Game Or Tournament You Want To Wager On
Maybe you want to bet on a conference game? This can include smaller conferences or high-profile ones, for example, a Big 12 Conference final between Kansas and Iowa State. Or perhaps you prefer to stick to March Madness, such as which teams will qualify for the final four? You can even bet on more obscure early-season tournaments, such as the Emerald Coast Classic.
The bigger the tournament, the more likely you are to find odds and lines. Most sportsbooks for college basketball betting will allow you to bet on every March Madness game. But some sites also have lines for the smaller early-and-mid-season tournaments.
Choose What Kind Of Wager You Wish To Make
Do you want to stick to the standard moneylines, totals, and spreads? Perhaps you prefer to make props and futures? Some sportsbooks will offer more varied wagers than others. The types of bets you wish to make will also depend on your basketball betting strategy.
It is then up to you to find a sportsbook with the odds and lines you want. Our top recommended college basketball betting sites are a great place to start. Then you can sign-up and deposit your cash.
Place Your Bets
Select the lines you want to wager on and choose how much money to bet. You can organize your bets or combine them into a parlay using the bet slip. Some NCAAB sportsbooks also have live bet features, where you can bet on an ongoing game. Here you will see the odds and lines change as the game develops. You can find some very favorable lines if you keep a close watch.
Once you’ve placed your bets, you simply wait for the game to finish. You’ll automatically receive any winning funds to your account. It is then up to you if you want to use your winnings to place more wagers, or cash out. Remember to keep an eye on your betting budget, and never exceed it.
Best Betting Site for College Basketball
Expert College Basketball Betting Strategy
The chances are high that one of the main reasons you found your way here today was to learn how to win money betting on college basketball. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. As mentioned, we have an expert team of NCAAB bettors and industry insiders who are overflowing with knowledge of how to get an edge.
Ready to see what they have to say? Click below to check out our college basketball betting strategy hub now! If you’re looking for March Madness-specific tips, scroll down to the next section.
March Madness Betting Strategy – Brackets and Traditional Bets
March Madness is one of the most exciting events not just on the basketball calendar, but on any sporting calendar! With 67 games played in a little over two weeks, there are loads of opportunities for betting on college basketball.
Visit our March Madness resources to help prepare you for this fast and furious betting action.
Here’s a few March Madness statistics and tips to give you a taste:
- A #5 seed has NEVER won the NCAAB tournament.
- 42.10% of 1-loss regular season teams went on to make the Final Four.
- You should pick 1-2 upsets every year for #5 vs #12, #6 vs #11, and #7 vs #10 based on historical tournament performances.
How Popular is College Basketball?
Here is a rundown of the popularity of college basketball in 2023.
Level of Interest in Basketball in the United States as of May 2022
2,210 people aged 18 and older were asked to share their level of interest in basketball. The three choices were “casual fan”, “avid fan”, or “not a fan” at all. Here are the results:
Not a Fan: 53%
Casual Fan: 30%
Avid Fan: 17%
What’s the Most Popular College Basketball Team?
As for NCAAB popularity by team, here are the top 30 based on average Division I attendance in the 2021-2022 season:
TEAM | AVERAGE # OF FANS IN 2022 |
---|---|
Syracuse | 20,017 |
Kentucky | 19,338 |
Arkansas | 19,022 |
North Carolina | 18,536 |
Tennessee | 18,202 |
Creighton | 16,611 |
Wisconsin | 16,505 |
Kansas | 16,253 |
Indiana | 15,845 |
Nebraska | 15,283 |
Purdue | 14,808 |
Michigan State | 14,797 |
Illinois | 14,690 |
Memphis | 14,063 |
Texas Tech | 13,973 |
BYU | 13,855 |
Marquette | 13,495 |
Arizona | 13,414 |
Dayton | 13,407 |
Ohio State | 13,276 |
Louisville | 13,242 |
Maryland | 13,052 |
Iowa State | 12,866 |
Virginia | 12,793 |
Texas | 12,398 |
NC State | 12,186 |
Iowa | 12,105 |
Michigan | 11,953 |
West Virginia | 11,535 |
San Diego State | 11,331 |
How to Find the Right College Basketball Betting Site
Here are a few quick tips to help you find the right NCAAB betting sites:
- Utilize multiple college basketball betting sites to shop lines on every bet. If you don’t do this, you’re leaving money on the table.
- Ensure the college basketball betting site offers action on the games you want to bet on. If you’re betting on mainstream D1 schools, this won’t be an issue. But if you’re betting on smaller and more obscure conferences, check each site when there’s an upcoming game.
- Take advantage of bonuses. Seriously, you’re missing out if you’re not cashing in on bonuses. This can massively increase the real money value of your wagers and winnings, over the money you’ve deposited.
Top 4 College Basketball Betting Sites
- BetUS – 100% bonus up to $2,500 (150% up to $3,750 for crypto)
- BetOnline – 50% bonus up to $1,000 (100% up to $1,000 for crypto)
- Everygame – 100% bonus up to $750
- Sportsbetting.ag – 50% bonus up to $1,000 (100% up to $1,000 for crypto)
FAQs on Online Basketball Betting
Most of our top NCAAB sportsbooks accept players from most, if not all, US states. As always, you should check the laws in your jurisdiction before engaging in gambling activities.
Yes! Doing your research, utilizing smart betting strategy, and plain old luck, can all increase your chances of making money.
Of course, there is no such thing as a guaranteed win in basketball betting. If there was, it wouldn’t be gambling! You should always work on the assumption that you might lose everything you bet.
The popularity of college basketball has had a few small peaks and troughs over the last ten years, but is fairly consistent. Currently , college basketball popularity is heading towards another one of those peaks! Two of the three most-watched NCAAB games of all time took place in the 2022 March Madness tournament.
The easiest college basketball bet to make is a moneyline bet. All you have to do is pick out which team you think will win an upcoming game. If you get it right, you win your bet. After that, spreads and totals give the best odds.
Just as with any sports betting, you should always have a proper NCAAB betting strategy. We have lots of resources to help you build a winning betting strategy.
Yes, you can place parlays across multiple bets to add more spice to NCAA basketball betting. Parlays are much harder to win but can result in massive returns.
This depends on your personal preference. That said, prop bets are some of the most fun and varied wagers. This is a great option if you’re looking for something unique beyond predicting a game’s final outcome.
This all depends on the odds and type of bet, as well as how much you bet. Generally, the bigger the payout, the harder the bet is to win. Seeking college basketball betting returns can include:
- Betting big underdogs on the moneyline
- Placing a futures bet on a team to win a tournament such as March Madness
- Placing a bracket bet in a big contestant pool