College Basketball Betting Sites
The NCAAB is, like many US sports betting markets, extremely popular on NCAAB betting sites, especially as it’s one of the collegiates sports. College sports attract a unique crowd, as the teams are more relatable for those living in the area than major league sports like the NFL and the NBA. If you’re interested in NCAA football odds, check out our NCAA football predictions page for expert picks against the spread. We’ve got all the latest NCAA football odds, helping you with online college basketball betting on NCAAB throughout the long season.
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We’re covering all the important topics about college basketball betting — the best NCAA basketball betting sites, NCAA gambling rules, and of course, and wagering advice! By the end of this guide, you’ll be well on your way to winning at NCAAB betting.
The odds for the NCAAB title are here:
| 2024/25 NCAAB Championship |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn Tigers | +775 | +750 | +750 |
| Duke Blue Devils | +900 | +1000 | +900 |
| Gonzaga Bulldogs | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Tennessee Volunteers | +1600 | +1700 | +1600 |
| Houston Cougars | +2100 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Kentucky Wildcats | +2200 | +2200 | +2200 |
| Kansas Jayhawks | +2200 | +2300 | +2200 |
| Iowa State | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Connecticut Huskies | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Florida Gators | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Marquette Golden Eagles | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Baylor Bears | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Michigan State Spartans | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
Last updated on: January 13, 2025
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There’s just something pure about college basketball that separates it from the NBA Perhaps it’s the youth of the players. Or the frenzied crowds of students and alumni. Perhaps, it’s the inter-school rivalries. Whatever it is, NCAA hoops on sites like Bovada are extremely worthwhile for both watching and gambling during the college basketball season. It’s the NCAA basketball betting that we’ll be focusing on throughout this article.
Key Dates of the 2024/25 NCAAB Season
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First Official Practice | October 2, 2024 |
| First Games | November 6, 2024 |
| Conference Play Begins | Late December 2024 |
| Selection Sunday | March 16, 2025 |
| First Four | March 18-19, 2025 |
| First Round (Round of 64) | March 20-21, 2025 |
| Second Round (Round of 32) | March 22-23, 2025 |
| Sweet 16 | March 27-28, 2025 |
| Elite Eight | March 29-30, 2025 |
| Final Four | April 5, 2025 |
| Championship Game | April 7, 2025 |
Best NCAAB Bets, January 2025
- BetUS favors the Connecticut Huskies to repeat as national champions, offering odds of +3000.
- Bovada places the Arizona Wildcats with the second-lowest title odds at +1200.
- MyBookie identifies Duke (+1400) and Houston (+1600) among the top contenders.
- Before the season starts, the Kansas Jayhawks are already considered favorites, with odds of +2200.
- BetUS gives the formidable Alabama Crimson Tide +2000 odds to win the 2024/25 Championship.
Best online sportsbooks for NCAAB betting
Users can make NCAA selections online at these sportsbooks. Below, you’ll find a listing of some of the best US online bookmakers. These sites offer great betting odds and bonuses, so visit our review pages before placing bets.
Xbet
Xbet is a popular sportsbook offering various types of wagers. Whether you're interested in college basketball (NCAAB) odds, NFL football picks, MLB baseball predictions, NHL hockey scores, NBA basketball odds, UFC fight night results, NASCAR racing odds, golf handicap tips, MMA fights, boxing matches, soccer games, tennis matches, WWE wrestling events, or just about any sporting event imaginable, you'll find everything you need right here. With so much action happening daily, you will be able to find something to bet on. In terms of NCAAB specifically, Xbet covers all the odds and betting lines throughout the long season through to March Madness and the Finals.
BetUS
BetUS has been operating since 1994, providing quality sports betting lines and oddsmakers for nearly two decades. We found their customer service to be excellent, so if you ever run into an issue with your account or wagers, feel free to contact their team directly. They offer multiple deposit options, including Bitcoin, PayPal, and Visa/MasterCard. Overall, we had a good experience with them, and we would highly recommend them for bettors seeking a comprehensive betting platform for NCAAB sports book betting.
Bovada
Bovada is among the top online NCAAB sportsbooks worldwide, offering an extensive array of sports betting products, from live betting to fixed odds betting, parlay bets, and much more. Their expert staff can assist you with any questions regarding college basketball, whether you're interested in handicapping or just finding out the latest score. It offers daily picks on the best games, so you'll know exactly how they play before you bet. You can feel confident knowing that your money is safe with Bovada because it’s earned the reputation of being one of the safest sportsbooks.
BetOnline
BetOnline is one of the more prominent bookmakers in North America, providing an array of odds, prices, lines, features, and much more for making an NCAAB bet online. Their focus is primarily within the United States, so if you're interested in NCAAB, they should be your top choice. Regarding NCAAB betting, BetOnline offers many options, including single-game and season wagers. You can also place various bets, such as totals, futures, props, parlays, and teasers.
MyBookie
As the leading online NCAA betting sportsbook for college hoops fans across North America, MyBookies offers a wide range of sports betting products and services. They've got what you need to place smart NBA picks from single bets to season-long lines. Whether you're starting out or an experienced pro, check out our NCAAB tips and strategies for winning money online.
Best College Basketball Betting Sites
There are more than 350 schools with a Division I basketball program across the entire country. To the benefit of bettors, a byproduct of that is thousands upon thousands of wagering opportunities during the season. It’s why so many online sportsbooks have tried to capitalize, all trying to become the best college basketball betting sites.
We’ll be the judge of that, however. After trying out hundreds of online bookmakers, we know which really are the most elite for NCAA bets. Here are our top three recommendations:
NCAAB at Bovada
Selection, selection, selection — it’s perhaps the biggest deciding factor when picking a sportsbook. It’s also where Bovada excels at, especially when it comes to offering NCAA basketball best bets.
At this site, you’ll find the full gamut of NCAA betting — spreads, moneylines, over/unders, props, futures, and then some (more on these bet types later on in the guide). And that applies to just about every D1 hoops game. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a D1 matchup that’s not up for gambling on Bovada.
One more thing to note about Bovada: they’re incredibly quick to get NCAA odds up on-site. As soon as one game ends, you’ll find a betting line for the two involved teams probably the next day. That combo of speed and selection makes Bovada one of the top spots to find an NCAA bet.
BetOnline’s lines for NCAAB
Like Bovada, BetOnline is no slouch when it comes to having the NCAA best bets. Every college program — from the prestigious blue bloods such as Duke to the unknowns like Pacific University — has a home at BetOnline.
However, where BetOnline really sets itself apart from other bookmakers is its sign-up bonus. While almost every sportsbook offers a welcome deal for newcomers, few promos are as lucrative as BetOnline’s. When maxed out, the bonus could be worth as much as $1000 in free play.
But wait, there’s more. Around early March, right before NCAA Tournament betting begins, BetOnline — as well as many competitors — are known to offer a “special” March Madness welcome bonus that eclipses its regular deal. So if there’s ever a time to sign up to a betting site and reap the rewards, it’s right before the championship tourney tips off.
Betting on NCAAB at MyBookie
If you haven’t gotten the memo by now, there’s an abundance of college basketball bets during the season. Therefore, a sportsbook with a loyalty program would suit bettors that are in it for the long haul. MyBookie fits that bill.
MyBookie has a unique program to reward loyal customers with additional funds and extras! With rankings ranging from Elite at the lowest all the way through to Platinum Elite level, there is a lot to achieve if you stick with this provider!
But better yet, MyBookie loyalty points can also be traded in for cashback. What you do with that cash, whether withdraw as winnings or re-use in the sportsbook, is entirely up to the bettor. Either way, at MyBookie, you’ll literally get paid to do college basketball gambling.
Comparison of NCAAB Bonuses Among Sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | NCAAB-Specific Promos | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada | 50% match bonus up to $250 | Odds boost during tournaments | Easy cryptocurrency deposits |
| BetOnline | 50% match bonus up to $1,000 | Bracket challenges | Early betting lines |
| MyBookie | 50% match bonus up to $1,000 | March Madness-specific promos | Customizable betting slips |
| Xbet | 50% match bonus up to $500 | Parlay insurance | Simple and user-friendly design |
Visit our dedicated page, if you’re looking for actual NCAA basketball odds. In the table below, you’ll find the top bookies that also offer up-to-the-minute betting lines for upcoming NCAA games. Moreover, we’ve even included past scores so you can see if a team is trending up or down.
How To Bet On College Basketball
At first glance, NCAA betting rules may seem complicated. But once you actually get into it, you’ll realize that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Don’t believe us? Welp, we’re about to show you how to bet on college basketball:
NCAAB Moneyline
College basketball bets don’t get much simpler than moneyline — just pick which team will win straight up. Essentially, it’s a 50-50 shot.
However, the payout is rarely 50-50. Typically, bookies set one team as the betting favorite and the other as an underdog. The distinction can be spotted by the value of the line. Positive odds and that’s you’re underdog, whereas the favorite has negative lines attached.
Say North Carolina and Kentucky were squaring off. If the Tar Heels were -150 to win, they’re favored, and a $150 wager on them pays out $100 exactly. On the flip side, the Jayhawks might be +130 underdogs. If you were to bet $100 on them, you’ll earn back a $130 profit if they prevail.
College Basketball Game Spread
This college basketball bet adds a point-spread “handicap” to both the underdog and the favorite. This spread will always be the same exact number and is meant to balance out the game.
Let’s use the Tar Heels and Wildcats as an example once again. On the spread, North Carolina could be -3.5, whereas Kentucky is +3.5. Therefore, UNC covers only if it wins by four or more points. Whereas Kentucky has a little more cushion. They cover with an outright victory or a loss by three points or less.
Over/Under in the NCAAB
One of NCAAB best bets is without question the over/under. Nevermind who wins and by how many points. This wager is concerned solely with the number of points both teams combine for. Bookies pre-set a total and bettors simply choose “over” or “under” that scoring sum.
College Basketball Props
This wager is focused on specific outcomes within a game. Think of props as “side bets” outside of who will win, by how many points, and so on.
Props will vary from sportsbook to sportsbook. But some of the best college basketball bets of the day will be found in the prop section. Examples include which team will score the first bucket of the game or which player will knock down the most three-pointers, among many others.
NCAA Basketball Futures
Futures are favorites of the Vegas betting NCAA basketball scene. These are long-term plays and typically revolve around which team will win (insert any championship up for grabs here) or individual award recipients.
NCAA Basketball Live Betting
With the emergence of mobile apps and mobile betting, there is a wealth of great options for players interested in live wagering. Moreover, these mobile apps make accessing the markets quicker and easier than ever before. You'll also find mobile-specific offers, for those players that are desktop dedicated, this is something to consider.
Historical Facts and Figures About the NCAAB Season
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First NCAA Tournament | Held in 1939, won by Oregon |
| Most Championships by a Team | UCLA, with 11 titles |
| Largest Winning Margin in a Game | Loyola-Chicago defeated Tennessee Tech by 69 points in 1963 |
| Most Points in a Tournament Game | Austin Carr (Notre Dame) scored 61 points vs. Ohio in 1970 |
| Most Wins by a Coach | Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), with 1,202 career wins |
| Biggest Upset in History | UMBC (No. 16 seed) defeated Virginia (No. 1 seed) in the 2018 tournament |
College Basketball Betting Events
Between November and March, there are NCAA basketball bets to be had nonstop. That’s when the collegiate season runs and given how many teams there are around the country, it’s a jam-packed slate. Still, there are a few events, in particular, you should circle on your calendar well ahead of time:
- Start-of-the-season tournaments: Usually held in exotic locations (e.g. the Virgin Islands or Maui), these tournaments start off the hoop season with a bang. These tourneys mix and match all conferences so it’s a great appetizer for what’s to come in March.
- Conference tournaments: At the conclusion of the regular season in March, every conference (all 32 of them) hosts a tournament to crown its respective champion. This makes for a mini-March Madness and a lot of NCAA bracket betting.
- NCAA March Madness: Does this even require an explanation? It’s a 68-team single-elimination tournament for the national title and it’s pure chaos — in all the most fun ways. With the whole country watching, the best college basketball bets seem to happen during the NCAA Tournament.
College Basketball Betting Tips
Before we let you go, we had to share some NCAA college basketball betting tips. This should be the backbone of your college basketball betting system:
Pick And Choose Your Battles
Look, betting college basketball is hard enough as it is. But it’s even harder when you have money on anything and everything offered at the sportsbook.
It’s not remotely possible to keep up with everything in college basketball. There’s too many teams. Too many coach and player habits to pick up on. Too much injury reports to stay on top of. We could go on and on.
Instead, if you want to win at online college basketball betting, you’ll need to find a niche. This could be a certain conference (e.g. the Pac-12 or SEC) or a region of the country. Once you’ve picked a niche, become a master on it.
Essentially, you’re looking to develop specialized knowledge about this niche and the subset of teams in it. If you’re only tracking 10 or so programs regularly, you’ll be more in tune with these teams than the everyday bettor. Being so plugged in will allow you to spot mismatches to exploit whilst making NCAA basketball betting predictions.
Find Streaky Hot Team Going Into The NCAA Tournament
Ah yes, everyone and their mother want to know how to win NCAA Tournament bets. Of course, the unpredictable nature of March Madness complicates matters.
However, there is one tell-tale sign you should look out for before making NCAA bracket bets — recent performance. Whether a team is scorching hot or ice-cold entering March Madness tells you a lot about how it’ll perform under the bright NCAA Tournament lights.
We get it, it’s easy to fall in love with “one and dones” or “five-star prospects.” But that gets thrown out the window come tournament time. Ignoring baseless media hype and instead focusing on what’s transpired in recent games will set you up nicely to make NCAA betting predictions come March.
That does it for our NCAA basketball betting advice. While there are more tips, nothing beats out the first-hand experience. If you’re ready to do NCAA gambling and learn on the fly, check out the table. Anyone of these sportsbooks can get you started with NCAA sports betting.
How Do We Rank the Best NCAAB Betting Sites?
We rank the best NCAAB betting sites by evaluating their odds quality, ensuring competitive lines across spreads, totals, and moneylines. We also assess bonus value, prioritizing sites with attractive promotions and fair terms. Other factors include market variety (e.g., live betting and props), user experience (intuitive platforms with mobile support), and security and reputation to ensure safe and reliable wagering.
How to Sign Up to an NCAAB Betting Site
- Choose a Sportsbook: Select a platform with competitive odds and enticing bonuses.
- Create an Account: Register with basic details like name and email.
- Verify Your Identity: Submit a government-issued ID as required.
- Deposit Funds: Add money to your account using your preferred payment method.
- Claim Bonuses: Activate any welcome offers that are available.
- Place Bets: Navigate to the NCAAB section and start wagering!
Best NCAAB Betting Strategies
To succeed in NCAAB betting, start by analyzing team stats such as offensive and defensive efficiency, especially during conference play. Consider home-court advantage, as some teams thrive at home but struggle on the road. Additionally, live betting is a powerful tool to capitalize on momentum shifts during games. Timing futures bets—either early in the season or after key developments—can also yield value. Finally, monitor injuries or suspensions closely, as roster changes can significantly impact outcomes.
Here are a few shorter NCAAB betting tips:
For those interested in learning more about the NCAAB and earning a little actual money betting on it, we've got some excellent NCAAB betting tips for you. Not only does it make sense to share these tips, it also helps us earn some extra income. Let’s take a look:
- Bet smart: Don’t risk your money on an unknown bet. Think about what might happen if you lose. Maybe take a break before betting again. If you think you can win, then go ahead and place the bet. You might not get rich, but you could win enough to cover your losses. Whatever the outcome, be sure to take into account our NCAAB betting advice.
- Find the best promotions: Bettors should ensure they read the fine print before signing up for any betting site. Some sites may offer bonuses such as extra credit or cash back on your bets, but these can only be used once daily. Other sites offer a broad range of NCAAB betting promotions that can help you to double your money and more!
- Live betting: Live betting is a fantastic way to get involved in a sporting event as it unfolds. You can follow an individual team or player and place bets as they happen. If you feel you know something about a certain aspect of a sport, then you can predict things correctly and win money.
- Line shopping: Browse the sports betting market, find the best place available for NCAAB betting, and locate the best potential value in the odds. Through having accounts with several online bookmakers, you won't be subjected to the lines published by just one; you can select which one matches your betting needs.
- Don’t wager with emotion: Don't just bet with your heart. Consider what you're betting against and examine whether there's any value in the odds. You might find there's no reason to think that your favorite team or player has something they haven't shown before.
Betting on NCAAB Women
Betting on NCAAB Women has gained popularity as the competition continues to rise. Teams like South Carolina, UConn, and LSU consistently deliver exciting games. Common betting markets include moneylines, spreads, totals, and futures like predicting the NCAA Women’s Tournament Champion. Player props are particularly important, as individual performances often have an outsized impact on results.
Differences Between NCAAB Men and NCAAB Women
- Game Format: Women’s games have four 10-minute quarters, while men’s games feature two 20-minute halves.
- Scoring Trends: Women’s games typically have lower scores, making unders a popular bet.
- Playing Style: Women’s teams emphasize fundamentals, with fewer dunks but more precise ball movement and shooting.
- Roster Depth: Women’s teams often rely heavily on starters, making injuries or foul trouble more significant.
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