NCAA Basketball is one of the Most Popluar Sports to Betting on
March Madness is right around the corner. Not is a good of time as any to learn about NCAA Basketball betting.
Key Points
- Betting NCAAB point spreads is one of the three traditional wagers on college basketball.
- Betting college basketball point spreads can be difficult given there are nearly 360 teams in over 30 different conferences.
The point spread is the great equalizer in sports betting. The point spread adjusts for the ability of each opponent in a game.
In college basketball where there are 358 NCAA Division I teams, there is a huge amount of variance among the best teams in the nation and those that are not among the best.
Betting NCAAB point spreads is one of the three traditional wagers on college basketball. It takes some skill and some effort to have success. That all starts with understanding the point spread bet.
NCAA Point Spread Example
In a game between Michigan and Michigan State, the Spartans are favored to win. In the example below, MSU is favored to win by 7.5 points.
Michigan +7.5 (-110)
Michigan State -7.5 (-110)
The line here is 7.5 points. The odds, or juice, that you will pay the sportsbook to place the bet are -110. That means you will need to wager $1.10 to win $1.
If the Spartans win by eight or more points, a bet on MSU wins. If Michigan wins or loses by seven or fewer points, then a bet on the Wolverines wins.
Editor’s Choice: Where to Start When Choosing a Sportsbook
Betting NCAAB Point Spreads
When betting college basketball, sports bettors should be familiar with the four factors that affect teams’ abilities to win games. This is the Four Factors Model proposed by a guy named Dean Oliver.
The four categories are shooting, turnovers, rebounding, and free throws. These become extremely important come March Madness. Teams that shoot better, turn the ball over fewer times, rebound better on the offensive end, and that shoot a lot of free throws tend to win more games.
When looking at betting point spreads, you can start with these factors and include how teams have played recently and then maybe begin to look for mismatches.
It also helps to look at offensive and defensive efficiency. These are numbers based on points scored or points allowed per 100 possessions. These numbers can even things out a bit. Watch for value lines revolving around this at your sportsbook.
Mismatches Occur During Most Games
Teams that score a lot of points or hold teams to fewer points are often affected by pace. Efficiency numbers level the playing field and can help bettors find those mismatches.
One of the best things a college basketball bettor can do is to find a niche somewhere. There are so many teams (358) and conferences (32) that it is hard to handicap every single Division I basketball game. It’s also hard on oddsmakers as they set lines and odds on games.
There is also huge potential for profit with live betting. NCAAB games are known for crazy runs, with one team easily scoring double digit points consecutively.
Remember, it’s not always easy finding the information you might need on some of the lesser known conferences. While you can find all sorts of data on major conferences like the SEC, Big 12, etc.; finding quality information on the NEC or Patriot League might require too much work.
