NCAAB College Basketball Odds
NCAAB score odds have been gaining traction in the US lately. Since the league first rose to prominence in the early 40s, it has become one of America's favorite professional sports competitions, with more viewership than even the NBA in certain parts of the country.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) organizes the competition, and the NCAAB acronym refers to its basketball operations. Every winter, the best college basketball players from 351 schools nationwide compete for glory and a chance to participate in the prestigious NCAA March Madness.
You can follow all the action here at Sportzino — the leading sweepstakes sportsbook in the US. We offer the best NCAAB pre-match and live odds, from minor conference contests to grand championship showdowns.
What Are College Basketball Odds?
Understanding the odds is your first step towards making informed decisions if you want to predict the outcomes of college basketball events. The NCAAB odds serve two primary purposes:
- To indicate the probability of a specific event occurring,
- To show the potential prize for a successful pick.
How to Read College Basketball Odds?
Reading NCAAB odds is the same as interpreting WNBA odds and lines on other games. For starters, there are three main formats for displaying these numbers:
- American,
- Decimal,
- Fractional.
While they are presented in various forms, they pass the same message. Let’s explain each one in detail to give you a better idea of how they work:
American Odds
Also known as moneyline odds, these are the most common format in the United States. Hence, they are the default odd format we use at Sportzino. They're represented by positive (+) or negative (-) numbers and revolve around a 100-coin pick.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Positive odds (e.g., +150) indicate the favorite team and show the potential number of coins you can win when you play 100 coins.
- Negative odds (e.g., -200) are attached to the underdog, showing how many coins you need to play to win 100.
For instance, in a game where the favorite has odds of -185 means that if you play 185 on this team will get you an extra 100. On the other hand, if the underdog has odds of +185, it means you win 185 if you use 100 coins and the pick wins.
Decimal Odds
The decimal odds represent the total amount you get, including the number of coins you used for the pick. They are always positive, so you won’t find decimal odds with a minus sign in front.
It follows the formula: Total returns = The number of coins used to play × Decimal Odds.
So, imagine the North Carolina Tar Heels have odds of 1.98, and you play 50 coins. If the pick wins, you get back 99 coins.
Fractional Odds
These numbers are represented in a fractional format, hence their name. The numerator represents the amount you stand to win, while the denominator denotes how many coins you use to get your returns. They follow the formula:
Profit = (Numerator / Denominator) × The number of coins played.
To further illustrate, consider a game in which the Kansas Jayhawks have odds of 3/2. If you play 100 coins, you get 150; playing 200 coins gets you 300.
Different Types of NCAAB Odds
The NCAAB is widely regarded as one of the most competitive sports competitions in the US. Even the March Madness tournament has witnessed some fantastic underdog stories in recent years, with outright favorites crashing out in the first round in some cases.
The large number and raw passion of teams have made the league perfect for players who enjoy action-filled events. If you're one of them, Sportzino is the place to be because we provide various markets for NCAAB.
Here are some of the more common NCAAB markets available at Sportzino:
Moneyline
If you’re searching for the easiest way to cover college basketball odds, look no further. For this market, you simply pick who you believe will triumph in the game. The underdogs receive positive odds, while the favorites get negative odds.
For example, consider a game where the North Carolina Tar Heels have odds of +185, and the Kansas Jayhawks are at -210. You only need to select which of the two will win the game. Their odds tell you the stronger team and also indicate how many coins you will win if your pick is accurate.
Point Spread
The point spread is another common market, one that you’ll find even when you check out our NBA odds. It was introduced to level the playing field between favorites and underdogs. It's not just the winner of the game that matters; the margin of victory also plays a role. Your team could win, but your selection fails if they don't score enough points to cover the spread.
Take the game between the Boston College Eagles -8.5 (-110) and the Citadel Bulldogs +8.5 (-110) as an example. In this case, you have two options:
- If you pick the Boston College Eagles, the team must win by at least 9 points for your selection to be successful.
- If you opt for the Citadel Bulldogs, the team must not lose by more than 4 points, or they win the game outright.
Totals
Totals are all about guessing if the number of points in an NCAAB game will be more or less than a particular number. Our sportsbook sets the number, and then you make your pick . For instance, if the set total is 151 points, you then choose “over” if you think the points will exceed the number. Alternatively, you select “under” if you think the total points scored will be lower than 151.
Half-time (First Half or Second Half)
A typical NCAAB game is split into two halves of 20 minutes each. You get the same three main markets for these games — spreads, totals, and moneylines. This means you can choose who will win each half, whether the total score will be an even or odd number, or guess the winning margins for each half.
Propositions
Another common option you'll find, even for NCAAB women odds, is the proposition market. These go beyond the regular options, where your selection revolves around the game outcome. Instead, they focus on specific events and performances within the game that sometimes don't impact the final score.
Propositions in college football generally fall into two categories: Game/Team Props or Player Props. Game props involve events related to the overall game or team performances. Examples include the first team to score, total team points, and the team to score last. Player props center on individual statistical performances. Examples are picking the first player to score or selecting the number of assists of a specific player.
Futures
At Sportzino, we provide college basketball lines long before the season begins. Such options are often long-term, meaning you get your award after the tournament ends. Events that fall in this category include:
- NCAAB Championship winner
- Conference Champion
- Teams to reach the Final Four
- Player awards
Bracket Strategies
Predicting NCAAB games can be both exciting and highly rewarding with the right information. Do you want to become an expert NCAAB tipster? Here are some vital tips to consider before selecting your college basketball odds.
- Stick to the teams you know: With over 300 programs participating yearly, many options are available. Nevertheless, you'll do yourself a massive favor by only covering odds of matches of the teams you're familiar with.
- Analyze team form: Knowing how a team has performed over the last few games can help you judge their upcoming performances. It's common for NCAAB teams to go through winning or losing streaks, so before you predict that game tonight or later this week, gather all the info you can get. Follow up on stats like H2H and player strengths, and try to read some NCAAB expert picks.
- Don't let emotions get in the way: This might be hard, given that basketball, especially college basketball, holds a special meaning to many. However, always put stats over feelings when checking the spreads today or looking for a great odds line to drop your daily picks.
How to Find the Best NCAA Basketball Odds?
Now that you know everything about one of America's most prestigious sports competitions, you can start making free selections on college basketball odds today. Simply tap the sign-up button at the top of this page to kickstart the registration process. We offer three options for creating an account so you can choose the one that suits you best.
As a new member of the Sportzino family, you receive a generous welcome package of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. This gives you more than enough to start making picks. We have the best college basketball odds, so you’ll surely get good returns if your selection win. You can also check out our Euroleague odds and the lines we offer for other sports.
FAQ
What are college basketball odds?
These numbers show the possibility of an event occurring and your potential win if your pick is correct. At Sportzino, we represent these odds in the American format, making them easy to understand.
How can I make accurate college basketball selections?
To make accurate selections, study team and player statistics. Consider factors like injuries, rest, and home/away performance, and analyze historical head-to-head records. Sportzino also offers up-to-date statistics on these teams that you can use when researching.
What strategies can I use for odds on college basketball?
Ensure you understand the team’s winning chances before making picks. We also recommend taking advantage of bonuses so that you have enough coins to select game outcomes.
Are college basketball odds and lines available for every game?
At Sportzino, you'll find college basketball lines for various games, including major conferences and tournaments. However, availability varies depending on the specific matchup and time of season.