How do you bet on college basketball

NCAA Basketball Betting - Guide to Legal Basketball Betting

College basketball is a big deal at legal sportsbooks across the US. The regular season is filled with options and brings in plenty of handle, but interest increases even more come tournament time. March Madness is one of the signature betting events of the calendar year.

Even casual fans pay attention to the dance, but there’s a lot to be said for getting involved with the rest of the NCAA basketball season. In fact, many experienced handicappers make it a focal point of their overall strategy. So is betting on college basketball fun and worth it? Here’s a look at how to do so legally in the US.

Legal college basketball odds: moneylines, spreads, and totals

There are 350+ basketball teams playing at the NCAA Division I level. There are days during the regular season that are packed with games. We’ve made staying on top of the odds much easier.

Our customizable feed brings you the latest moneyline, spread, and totals numbers from top books across the industry. From the opening tip of the regular season to the end of March Madness, it’s updated with the latest lines in an easy-to-view format.

Legal NCAA basketball betting apps

Bettors love the flexibility of being able to bet when and where they like. That’s one of the more interesting notes from the growth of legal sports betting. Sports betting apps from top books are bringing in lots of action in approved states. Here’s a look at top options for legally and safely betting on NCAA basketball via your mobile device.

DraftKings Sportsbook

A recognized leader in daily fantasy sports, DraftKings has been working toward the same position in sports betting. The company has been hitting the right notes in a lot of spots and is a preferred destination for many users in available states. NCAAB bettors will find odds and lines that stack up with the competition and special betting pools for March Madness.

The DraftKings Sportsbook app is available in the following states: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY

FanDuel Sportsbook

The busy NCAA basketball season can be tough to stay on top of, but FanDuel makes it a bit easier with a super clean layout. It lists all of the upcoming games in clear-cut fashion, and you can sort through them with ease on the app. FanDuel has also become known as a place to go for its same-game parlay feature for basketball and other sports.

The FanDuel app is available in the following states: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM comes our way from MGM Resorts International and Entain. The company has been expanding its reach and brings a solid mobile offering to the table. Odds and lines stack up well in relation to competitors, and there are plenty of sports and bets available.

The BetMGM Sportsbook app is available in the following states: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MS, NJ, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY

PointsBet Sportsbook

This Australia-based company made its US debut in 2019 with a launch in New Jersey. Since then, PointsBet has rapidly gone from an unknown to a company poised to become a player in the legal sports betting scene. PointsBet has a range of innovative features, including PointsBetting and “quick parlay.”

The PointsBet Sportsbook app is available in the following states: CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, VA & WV

BetRivers Sportsbook

A member of the Rush Street Interactive family, BetRivers has also been expanding its reach in a steady fashion. The app has been well-received by bettors. The layout is clean and user-friendly, and there are also plenty of features available. Bettors will find a range of options to explore for each game on the docket.

The BetRivers online sportsbook app is available in the following states: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, VA & WV

Understanding how bonus offers work

The legal sports betting marketplace is competitive, and sportsbooks lean on bonus offers as a means of attracting business. The actual bonus offers and amounts will vary by operator, but here are some of the most common ones you’ll see.

• Deposit bonus: After creating your account, you can have the sportsbook match your first deposit. The match will be for a certain percentage up to a set amount. You’ll have to play through the matched funds at the book.
• Free bet: Once you’ve completed the registration process, there are some books that will give you free bets in the form of site credits. The funds aren’t withdrawable and might have an expiration date attached or other terms to consider.
• Risk-free bet: This popular incentive lets you place your first wager in risk-free fashion after an initial deposit. If the wager loses, you’ll be refunded up to a maximum amount in site credits. The credits are not withdrawable, and you’ll need to play them through.

After you’ve signed up and created an account with a legal shop, you can expect to see ongoing promotional offers. Examples may include a special odds boost for an NCAA basketball game or parlay insurance for a March Madness wager.

State-by-state NCAAB betting rules

Individual states set their own sports betting rules and regulations. We’ve seen plenty of similarities in legal states, but also a few variances. One particular sticking point has been with wagering on college sports. Here’s a look at the key details for the current legal states and any restrictions attached to NCAAB betting.

NCAAB game lines explained

There are more than 350 teams playing at the Division I level of NCAA basketball. That translates into tons of games to consider throughout the season.

You’ll find odds for all games available for wagering at legal sportsbooks. Some books have a dedicated tab for college basketball, while others have an expandable basketball section. Each game’s main listing will have odds for three types of bets.

NCAAB moneyline betting

For a moneyline wager, the sole question is which team will win the game. The favorite in the matchup will have negative odds, while the numbers are positive for underdogs.

NCAAB spread betting

Oddsmakers set the point spread, which represents an estimated margin of victory. You can pick the favorite minus the points or the underdog plus the number. The side you pick has to cover the spread.

NCAAB totals betting

This bet is based on the total combined points that both teams will score in the game. Sportsbooks set a benchmark number, and you can wager whether the actual total will be over or under that number.

Odds for college basketball games will generally be out no later than the day of the contest, but you might get a look ahead in some spots the day before. For the opening round of March Madness, you’ll see odds for those games several days in advance.

After the initial release, it’s common to see movement in the odds and lines in response to betting action and new information such as injuries or suspensions. For example, a spread could shift from 3.5 to 4.5 points, while odds might adjust from -110 to -115. Some bettors like to get wagers in early, while others prefer to wait and see what develops.

When you Bet	Benefit	Downside
Initial Release	You get to place your bets based on the numbers that oddsmakers have set.	The lines can move as new information develops in advance of game time.
Before Tipoff	Market reaction has been factored in, so you’re wagering on the overall perception of the game.	The numbers can move to a level you are uncomfortable with in response to action.
During Game	Live betting lets you react in real time to what’s happening on the court.	You’ll have to stay engaged as the game plays out to find opportunities.

Sportsbooks have house rules in place for college basketball and other sports. These rules explain what goes into the placement and settlement of bets, as well as specific circumstances that could impact either. Here are some of the key points.

• All placed bets are live once the game tips off and settled at its conclusion, which includes any necessary overtime periods.
• A bet on a spread or total that lands exactly on the listed number will be a push, and sportsbooks will refund wagers.
• Bets will remain live in the event of slight delays, but cancellations and postponements will lead to voided wagers.

Futures, props and live betting odds

Beyond the above bets, there are several other popular ways to bet on college basketball. You can place futures bets on things like a team to make the Final Four. You also can wager on team and player props, and even bet in real time. Here’s a closer look at how these wagers work.

NCAAB futures betting

Futures are wagers on season-long outcomes in college basketball, such as the winner of the national title. Odds for the top options will come out in the offseason and adjust from there in response to betting action.

• National champion
• Team to make the Final Four
• Conference winners
• Over/under on team win totals
• Naismith college player of the year

The futures market can be a great tool to lean on as you prepare for an upcoming season. It gives you a glimpse at the overall market perception of how things might shake out and can help you get a read on teams to watch or shy away from.

NCAAB prop betting

A prop is a side wager that can depend on a player, team, or the game as a whole. Rules can vary by state on props for college players, so be sure to review what is legal in your area.

• How many total points will Kansas score — over/under 69.5?
• Will there be overtime — yes/no?
• Which side will hold the halftime lead — Georgetown or Creighton?

Props for college sports aren’t as plentiful as they are on the pro side, but you’ll see options to consider as long as they’re permitted in your state. Also, keep in mind that you can check other legal books to compare bets.

NCAAB live betting

Real-time betting is based on what’s happening on the court. The odds and lines move really fast here, but this has become one of the top growth areas for legal sports betting.

• How many total points in the first half — over/under 64.5?
• What will be the margin at the half-tie game/less than three points/over three points?
• Will either side hold a double-digit lead in the first half — yes/no?

Since live betting moves so quickly, it’s always a good idea to have a clear budget in place before beginning. The action on the floor can be engaging, but do not wager over your head and means.

Understanding the juice/vig

If you place a bet at a legal sportsbook and go on to win, you won’t necessarily double your money. Why is that? It’s because of the vig, which is essentially a fee the sportsbook charges for facilitating the wager.

Often called vigorish or juice, the amount you are being charged will vary with the odds. Spread and total bets start with a baseline of -110 at most shops and then fluctuate from there in response to betting action.

If we assume the odds standstill at -110, a winning $100 bet at those odds returns a profit of $90.90. The difference between that and a full 100% percent profit is $9.10, or 9.1%, which is the amount being charged as vig.

There are plenty of online handicapping calculators that can help you figure the vig on your wagers. This is an area that newer sports bettors often overlook, but it’s one that you need to understand as it has a direct impact on your potential winnings.

Offshore sites and illegal betting

Offshore sites are still alive in spite of the incredible growth of legal US sports betting. That doesn’t mean that they’re an option worth pursuing.

If you play at offshore sites, you’re taking unnecessary risks with your funds that you don’t have to deal with at legal sportsbooks, all of which have strict protections in place for consumers.

State gambling authorities oversee the legal books, while there is no such eye in the sky for offshore sites. If a problem arises at a legal shop, you have a clear path toward resolution and customer service from the sportsbook to lean on. That’s not the case when playing at offshore sites.

You might find bets that aren’t available in the US at offshore sites, such as additional college basketball props or wagers on amateur players that are prohibited at legal sites due to state law. Take your business to legal operators and benefit from the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your funds will be safe.

How the college basketball season works

The regular season for college basketball typically gets underway in November. The early part of the schedule is reserved for various tournaments and non-conference affairs. When the calendar flips to January, conference play gets into full swing.

There are 32 conferences across the Division I landscape with 350+ schools competing. At the conclusion of the regular season, conferences hold tournaments to crown a champion. Beyond bragging rights, the winners of the tourneys also receive an automatic bid to March Madness.

Similar to college football, there’s a clear hierarchy to NCAA basketball. There are the top conferences that are filled with large schools, followed by those at the mid-major level, and also a large group of smaller programs.

As for the games, teams can play in the range of 25 to 35 games during the regular season. While there are games every day during the season, individual teams will play an average of two times per week.

Betting on March Madness

Once the conference tournaments are in the books, it’s time for one of the biggest betting events of the year. The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, commonly referred to as March Madness, brings in tons of volume for sportsbooks.

The 32 winners of the conference tournaments qualify, while a selection committee picks 36 at-large teams. The tournament begins with a play-in round that has come to be known as the First Four. Afterward, it’s 64 teams in a single-elimination tourney to crown a champ. You can bet on March Madness in a number of ways:

• National championship winner
• Teams to make the Final Four
• Bracket winners
• Most Outstanding Player of the tournament
• Wager on each individual game

The first round of the tournament is pretty hectic, with 32 games spread across two days. The second round remains busy with 16 games over two days, but things slow down a little afterward. By this point, it’s the Sweet Sixteen — eight games — followed by the Elite Eight — four games.

The winners from that round advance to the Final Four. The two winners go on to battle for the national championship.

Latest NCAAB betting news

There are frequent developments with legal sports betting, many of which pertain to college basketball. If there’s a major piece of information that you need to know, you’ll find it here, where we collect the current top NCAAB betting news.

College basketball’s shift to legal sports betting

The NCAA has long opposed sports betting legalization, but the situation has changed dramatically in recent years. The US Supreme Court cleared the way for individual states to legalize sports betting in May 2018, and many have done just that. Legal sports betting is available in a number of states, with more to follow.

College basketball has suffered betting scandals through the years. The association is still holding out hope that federal standards will emerge. At the school level, however, stances on gambling have begun to shift to further point out that this is a case that’s far from closed.

League/team partnerships

Just a few years ago, it would’ve been unheard of for a sports league or team to have a marketing arrangement with a gambling company. In recent times, it has actually become common, at least at the pro level. The NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB all have deals in place with sports betting companies, and teams have been permitted to do so as well.

There have been several high-profile deals as a result. We don’t expect the trend to carry over into college basketball, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been any deals. William Hill has deals in place with UNLV and the University of Nevada-Reno.

In 2020, PointsBet entered into a marketing arrangement with the University of Colorado. In 2021, LSU and Caesars Sportsbook entered a similar deal.

On the pro side, things have evolved rapidly in the sports betting sponsorship realm, but the NCAA is expected to continue its stance of keeping sports betting at more of a distance. Individual schools in legal states might see things differently, so it will be interesting to see what develops on this front in the future.

College Basketball Betting Tips & Strategies

With hundreds of teams to bet on, learning how to bet on college basketball can be extremely exciting but daunting for beginners.  

College basketball betting lines explained

There are many ways to wager on college basketball. The most popular forms of NCAA betting are the moneyline, point spread, and Over/Under totals.

Moneyline

With college basketball moneylines, bettors pick the winner of the game. Each team has odds indicating their likelihood of winning the game outright, and bettors choose accordingly. 

Point spread

NCAA basketball point spreads are a way to level the field of competition between two mismatched teams by setting a handicap in point differential. One team is the favorite – and has to win by more than the spread – while the other will be pegged as an underdog – having to win outright or lose by less than the spread.

Over/Under

College basketball Over/Under totals are the estimated total number of points scored by both teams in a game. Bettors wager on whether the final score will go Over or Under that expected tally.

Moneylines: Pick the winner of an NCAA basketball game

The moneyline is a basic betting market in college basketball that allows bettors to decide which team they think will win the game outright.

Oddsmakers create moneyline odds for games based on each team’s implied probability of winning. NCAA basketball teams are not always evenly matched, and some schools will be far superior to others. The moneyline odds will reflect those chances of victory. 

Sportsbooks most often display moneyline odds in hundreds (American odds). American odds show one team set as the favorite (indicated by a negative value) and one team designated as the underdog (positive value).

You can use our odds converter and moneyline calculator to see a team’s implied probability based on their odds.

In the example below, oddsmakers favor the Michigan State Spartans on the moneyline at -145, meaning you would have to wager $145 to win $100. On the flip side, betting $100 on the underdog Butler Bulldogs at +125 would result in a $125 net return. 

Point spread: Evening the odds between two teams

Many college basketball bettors look for point spreads because they level the difference in skill between the two teams, which can be pretty extreme in the NCAA.  

Oddsmakers analyze both teams in a matchup and consider their strengths, weaknesses, and other factors such as injuries and create a point spread for the game.

Point spread favorites have negative values assigned to them, and they must win the game by more than the spread for the bet to win. 

Underdogs have positive values for their spreads and can either win outright or lose by less than that spread for the bets to win.

In the example below, the Spartans are the point spread favorites at -2.5 versus the Bulldogs at +2.5. The Spartans would need to win by more than 2.5 points to cover their spread, while the Bulldogs need to lose by fewer than 2.5 points or win the game outright to cover their spread.

Point spreads have a second set of odds alongside them, indicating the cost of placing the bet, also known as the vig or the juice. Most point spreads have a vig of -110; to win $100, you need to risk $110. Vigs can be adjusted depending on betting action and can vary from book to book.

Over/Under: Betting on college basketball point totals

Game totals, also known as Over/Unders, are popular among basketball bettors.

Sportsbooks examine college basketball matchups, looking at both offense and defense, and assign a total representing the total-combined points between both teams for the game. Bettors then wager on whether the result will go Over or Under that total.

In the example below, a sportsbook has assigned a 131.5 total for Michigan State and Butler. Bettors would have to decide if the game would go Over or Under 131.5 combined points. Since a game can’t end in a half-point, this bet has no possibility of pushing. 

Michigan State Spartans Vs. Butler Bulldogs	Odds
131. 5o	-110
131.5u	-110

As with point spreads, Over/Unders also have a vig, generally set at -110. 

Parlays: Combine NCAA basketball bets for bigger payouts

Parlays are a betting method where bettors tie two or more bets together to boost the odds for a chance at a higher payout.

The more wagers bettors add to parlays, the bigger the potential payout and the bigger the risk because all bets in the parlay have to win for the entire parlay to cash out at all.

Each bet added to a parlay is known as a “leg.” Sportsbooks will allow anywhere from 2-12 games in a basketball parlay. 

The bettor has picked Butler at +125 as a moneyline underdog against Michigan State in the example below. They also took the heavy favorite Florida State at -2,800. 

By tying these two bets together, the bettor gets combined odds of +133 and a chance at more value on their bet on Florida State. But for this bet to pay out, both bets have to win, or the bettor will receive zero winnings.

Using our parlay calculator, you can see the potential payout for tying bets together in a parlay. 

Futures: Betting on teams' tournament hopes

Among the most popular bets in college basketball is betting who wins the National Championship, an example of a futures bet in which bettors wager on things in the near and far future. March Madness is one of the most significant betting events in sports. Many bettors have money on who they think will come out on top well before the tournament.  

NCAA Basketball Championship lines are released immediately following the conclusion of the previous year's tournament. Picking a winner means you’re banking on the team successfully making the tournament and winning six straight do-or-die games on college basketball’s biggest stage. 

In the example below, Gonzaga has the best odds to win March Madness at +700. Michigan (+1,000) and UCLA (+1,200) follow Gonzaga to round out the top three. These odds will shift around throughout the season and will be available right up until the end of March Madness. 

How to bet on March Madness

March Madness betting works just like most basketball games. However, when you mix in the high-stakes tournament format and the top programs in the NCAA, betting takes on a completely different intensity.

Sift through the sleepers, contenders, and Cinderellas and learn how to bet on March Madness.

NCAA Basketball betting tips and strategies

Now that you know what kind of bets you can make on college basketball, here are some tips to sharpen your skills and help you make smart basketball bets.

Narrow down your options

There are more than 350 Division 1 college programs taking the court this season, and there’s no way you can stay on top of them all. 

The best way to approach the season, especially in the first two months, is to focus on a few conferences you care about – whether that's a conference in your area or ones that house your alma mater. 

Slimming down your focus allows you to really dig into a select number of teams, and truly understand them on a game-to-game basis.

Size matters

Unlike college football, which only has 11 conferences and groupings, college basketball has 32 different conferences and leagues, from Power 5 groups like the ACC and Big Ten, to small mid-majors like the Northeast Conference and Patriot League.

Because there are so many teams, oddsmakers dedicate themselves to the big-name conferences which draw the most betting action, leaving them exposed when it comes to small conference lines.

That means that if you can become an expert in one of these mid-majors, you give yourself an advantage over the bookies. But keep in mind that some small conference games don’t get betting odds, so research your wagering options.

Comb through this season's college basketball teams using our NCAA basketball teams page.

Take on totals

Ask any oddsmaker or bookie and they’ll tell you the one market they fear the most is college basketball totals. On top of setting spreads for more than 300 games a week, sportsbooks will offer totals on those contests as well. 

These numbers are often attacked by sharp bettors the second they hit the board and adjust quickly, so if you can jump on the trend and get a good Over or Under number before it adjusts too far, you’re at least on the wise side of the total. Find the best totals odds by using our college basketball odds comparison tool to see odds from a huge variety of legal sportsbooks.

Find value in the futures

For the most part, the NCAA tournament futures odds look the same every season with perennial powerhouse programs like Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina near the top of the board. And even as the season plays out, those odds stay relatively unchanged from week to week.

If you can spot a March Madness sleeper beyond those college basketball blue bloods, you’ll likely get a number of 10 to 1 or higher and set yourself up for a solid payday once the tournament kicks off in mid-March.

How to make a college basketball bet

1

Our NCAA basketball scores and matchup page lists the games of the day plus upcoming games, and you can also sort by spread, total size, and line movement. 

Each game gives a snapshot of the opening odds, current odds, team records straight up and against the spread, as well as the percentage of picks calculated by our Covers Consensus.  

From there, you can dive deep into our detailed matchup pages for each game. Track line history, view the most popular spread and total picks and analyze unique betting trends for every team.

2

Making intelligent bets on NCAA basketball isn't always about betting the best team, but betting the best odds. 

Find current spreads, totals, and moneylines for many college basketball games from the top legal sportsbooks in your area using our college basketball odds comparison tool. Compare across the industry and shop for the best odds for your NCAA bets.

3

Signing up for a new sportsbook is simply a few clicks away. Once you find a legal sportsbook in your area, sign up for an account and quickly deposit using various banking methods, such as credit cards and e-transfers. Most sportsbooks also offer great bonuses and sign-up promotions to new users.

4

After researching your best college basketball picks, you can place those bets at the sportsbook by selecting NCAA basketball from their menu and searching for the game or market you want to bet.  

From there, select the wager to add it to your bet card and enter the amount of money you wish to risk. After that, click submit, and you'll get a receipt or e-ticket for that bet, showing you the odds you bet and the amount you can win.

Today's college basketball odds

Here are the current college basketball odds for a selection of today's games: 

To see the odds for more of today's college basketball matchups, visit our NCAA basketball odds page.

College basketball betting contest

Want to try before you buy? Our King of Covers NCAA basketball contest is perfect for that. Make real college basketball bets for free without having to deposit at a sportsbook. Bet the spread and Over/Under totals on the 2021-22 NCAA season for the chance to win cash and prizes.              

Best basketball sportsbooks for beginners

Covers’ team of betting experts have thoroughly researched the internet’s vast collection of online sportsbooks so you don’t have to. Here are the best basketball betting sites so you can get your college basketball betting underway.

These sportsbooks are licensed and trusted sites and offer great sign-up bonuses, plenty of convenient and quick banking options, and great odds for rookie bettors.

NCAA basketball betting forum

Want to learn more about college basketball betting and meet a large, knowledgeable community? Check out Covers’ NCAA basketball betting forum to get picks, ask questions, and learn from experienced sports bettors.

College basketball betting FAQs

A: You can bet on college basketball by picking the winner of the game (moneyline), which team will cover the spread (point spread), or combined points scored in the match (Over/Under).

You pick if the favorite covers a certain winning margin or if the underdog will lose by less than that gap.

College basketball moneyline bets include overtime. Betting the second half also includes overtime.

College games tend to be shorter than NBA matches, lasting just over two hours.

Overtime in college basketball games is five minutes.

There are two halves, consisting of 20 minutes each.

You can watch college basketball on ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS, TBS, and TNT. You can also stream games online on several platforms.

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Learn How to Bet on College Basketball and Win

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Can I bet on college basketball?

For countries and states where gambling is legal, college basketball is big business, and following changes to the federal sports betting law, it is becoming more accessible in the United States.

With the season in full swing and the March madness fast approaching, here's how you can bet on college basketball.

Before delving into the different types of betting markets, the first thing to do is to find a bookmaker available in your area.

If you are in the United States then bookmakers such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet have expanded to many different states, while there will be others specifically designed for your region.

For international bettors, do your research online to find out which sports betting companies are available in your country. For countries like the UK, where betting is widely available, there is a wide range of options, so take the time to find out which operators offer the best services for college basketball.

It is important to only use bookmakers that are legally available in your country or state, because this prevents any problems related to registration and money transactions (deposits and withdrawals).

Now that you've found and registered with a bookmaker in your area, let's go through the top markets you'll want to look out for when betting on college basketball.

Starting with the easiest market to understand, the money line is when you bet on one team to win over another team. Since there are no draws in college basketball like there are in football, rugby, or any other "non-American" sport, there is always a guaranteed winner, and thus the money line market is always on.

Moneyline is a good market to play when two equal teams and bookmakers provide the same odds or when betting on an outsider with higher odds than their opponents.

For example, in a game between the state of Florida and Clemson, the bookmakers gave the state of Florida odds of -138 and Clemson -105. This means that a $100 bet on Florida is worth $173 if the Seminoles win the game ($73 in winnings plus a $100 bet). Conversely, the same $100 bet on Clemson would make a $195 profit ($95 win + $100 bet) if the Tigers win the game. Thus, for games that are expected to be close, such as Florida State vs. Clemson, the money line is an attractive betting market because a successful determination of the winner will result in good profits. As it turned out, the bookies were right to create such a close market - Florida won by just one point.

The money line is also an attractive market with underdog support, although it carries much more risk even if the potential reward is greater. For example, Chicago State is valued at +850 to beat Stephen Austin, so that same $100 bet will return a whopping $950 if the Cougars pull off a surprise win. However, backing Stephen Austin on the money line gives odds of -2500, so a $100 bet would only make a profit of $104.

While betting on the state of Chicago might seem tempting given the amount of money you can win, there's a reason the odds are so great - they don't expect to win!

If you want to bet money on a game as predictably one-sided as Stephen Austin vs. Chicago State, the best way to make the odds more competitive is to enter the points spread market.

Point spread is the estimated number of points with which the bookmaker expects the team to win or lose. In the case of Stephen Austin vs. Chicago State, the points difference was set at 18.5, with both teams given odds of -120 to beat the difference.

This means you are either betting that Stephen Austin will beat Chicago State by more than 18.5 points, or that Chicago State will not lose by more than 18.5 points. If you back the Lumberjacks with $100 and they win by 19 points or more, you will make a profit of $183; Similarly, if you pick the Cougars and they lose by less than 18 points, you will also win $183.

While the money line and point spread markets depend on teams winning and losing, you can end up excluding the outcome by focusing on the totals of the markets.

Totals, also called over/under, are simply bets on the total of something, most commonly in basketball, which is the total number of points in a game.

Let's take another look at Stephen Austin vs. Chicago State: the bookmakers set the total points market at 137.5, so a bettor can bet that the game will be over or under 137.5 - no matter who wins or by what margin .

Total markets may also be available in other areas of the basketball game - total points scored by an individual player, total number of three-point shots made, total points by a quarter-time difference and other similar areas where totals can be applied.

Money line, points distribution and totals are the three main college basketball betting markets when focusing on a specific game. However, for players interested in longer-term bets, the futures markets are worth checking out.

Futures markets are exactly what they say they are: they allow you to bet on what will happen in the future.

These include bets on which team will win the NCAA championship, which teams will win their conference titles, which players can be the MVP at March Madness, and more. You can check here the best March Madness markets: https://www.bovada.lv/march-madness

Futures markets are very attractive because of the longer term investment they represent for players and often higher odds.

For example, the 2022 NCAA championship futures market is currently led by the Gonzaga Bulldogs at +450 followed by the Auburn Tigers at +800. If you bet $100 on the Bulldogs and win the title, you will make a profit of $550, while the same bet on the Tigers will net you $900.

If you made such a bet now, it would keep your interest in the season well beyond one game. At least until the Bulldogs, Tigers, or whatever team you support wins a title or is relegated.

Basketball betting tips

You can figure out any sport if you want to. The main thing is desire and free time. Basketball is a dynamic discipline that is considered easy to perceive and understand. If you do not take into account football, then basketball betting is fighting for the second line in popularity among bettors. Far from everyone succeeds in this direction, so let's form the main useful tips on basketball betting. They will help to understand the category more deeply and make the game in the bookmaker more efficient.

Current trends and current trends in basketball

To be successful in any area, you need to be aware of everything related to the direction: the market, competitors, development vector, financial side and more. In basketball betting, you need to know the current patterns for today, because they can constantly change. Let's consider a number of patterns inherent in modern basketball:

• Universalism .

Basketball is progressing and changing. If earlier there was a clear section on positions, now all this is conditional. A high-quality professional player must be reliable in defense, have good possession of the ball, make accurate passes to partners and be able to accurately throw the ball into the basket. A team with versatile athletes has an advantage over its opponent.

• Effective throws .

In serious leagues and tournaments, teams try to score maximum points in each attack. There are fewer mid-range shots in modern basketball. Many people have found that it is more efficient to make a 3-point attempt, which in theory is worth more points, than to make an open middle throw. True, this trend is not typical for all teams.

• Athletics.

In basketball, not only height is important, but also physical condition. Look at American basketball. It's not just about the NBA. Take a look at student leagues. There are strong players with an athletic physique. Nobody needs thin and slow performers. Clubs are looking for tall athletes with elements of universalism, so that a person can play both in defense and in attack to be useful. Athleticism is a trend that appears as a result of the two previous patterns. The concept of athleticism in basketball is discussed in more detail in the video - “Four main components of athleticism in basketball”.

NBA and other competitions

When considering basketball as a sport that every second user bets on, the focus is primarily on the National Basketball Association. The NBA is a good example of how competitions should be organized and what level of play should be demonstrated throughout the season. The rest of the leagues and divisions are equal to the American championship. Perhaps someone does not know, but the NBA has a number of features:

• The 3-point arc is half a meter further than the FIBA ​​rules (7.25 vs. 6.75).
• In the NBA, timeouts are recorded more often: short ones of 20 seconds and long ones of 100 seconds.
• A quarter lasts not 10 minutes, as in Europe, but 12.
• The foul limit for an athlete is one more than in domestic basketball (6 instead of 5).
• The level of arbitrators overseas is much higher. They are focused on the game, they control the course of the fight, they carefully watch video replays when there is such a need.

These are the most obvious features that a bookmaker's client must know. Tune in to a FIBA ​​basketball match live and watch an NBA match later. I am sure you will add to the above list of differences.

Sources of valuable information

In sports betting, any information will be useful, since every little thing can play an important role in betting. When betting on basketball matches, we recommend that you study the match protocol and statistical indicators. Separately, it is worth paying attention to the following parameters:

• The average number of scored and missed points.

This item reveals the degree of effectiveness of both parties. This is standard information that needs to be analyzed when making a prediction for a basketball match.

• Efficiency in attack and defense.

The average number of points scored / missed by the team during one throw or possession is taken into account. Thus, it is possible to determine the quality of attack and reliability in defensive actions. This indicator is sometimes more useful than the average performance.

• Temp .

It plays an important role how long the team has the orange ball and how many shots it makes. If the pace is high, as a rule, you can see a swing: the team often throws a game projectile into the ring, but at the same time concedes a lot. A certain balance and effectiveness in defense / attack is needed.

• Sales percentage.

Another important parameter. You can throw in the basket as much as you like. The main thing is to do it accurately, having a high percentage of attempts.

These are just the main pronounced parameters that must be taken into account when betting on basketball. It is worth mentioning the structure of shots and the percentage of implementation of free kicks. Understanding the style of teams, the dynamics of the game, the individual characteristics of basketball players, statistics, tactics and decisions of the coach - all this allows you to make the right choice when analyzing the line and a particular match.

Basketball value bets

Many people wonder how to find inflated odds? Value is not easy to find. There are two possible situations here:

• Use scanners.
• Understanding value will come with experience.

In most cases, free cheese is only in a mousetrap, and for a paid subscription, as a rule, no one wants to put money on the table.

Self-searching for value is complicated by the variety of line and depth of painting. True, those who live by sports betting suggest to pay attention to Asian leagues, unpopular competitions, women's basketball and small markets. As for the last element, the capper recommends looking at the individual performance of the players. Bookmakers have little information about the lower divisions and sometimes make inaccuracies in the line.

Basketball betting tips and tricks in general

What to look for when betting on basketball matches:

• Statistics . Useful tool in basketball betting. Helps with pre-match analysis and final decision making.
• Compounds . It is important to know not only the main five, but also the possibilities of substitute players. Given the constant pauses in the game and the stoppage of time, which leads to an increase in the period when basketball players are on the floor, rotation cannot be avoided, and it must be of high quality in order not to miss a victory.
• Leaders. In important fights, they come to the fore. The role of strong performers increases when it comes to the result. Take, for example, the Golden State Warriors. Look at how the team performs when Stephen Curry is healthy and shows a stable game, and compare the results with the segment when the point guard is absent for some reason. The team loses points due to the lack of a leader.
• Infirmary . The following fact emerges from the previous paragraph - an analysis of the list of players who miss the match for various reasons: injury, disqualification, illness, family circumstances, etc.
• The NBA is not the only league in the world . Don't get hung up on the American championship. Analyze domestic basketball, the Euroleague and other equally interesting competitions.
• Choice of model or strategy . Decide on basic and advanced approaches. This can be a flat game, a catch-up strategy or live betting while watching live broadcasts of matches. Organize information, select a game model and partially automate the betting process.

Conclusion

It is unrealistic to fit all the secrets of basketball betting, as well as useful tips and tricks into one article. This is due to the fact that new trends and patterns appear, rules change, restrictions are introduced, etc.

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