UConn and Purdue garner most of the headlines, but the title of hottest team in college basketball actually belongs to McNeese State. Winners of 14 straight, the Cowboys have already taken down a number of notable opponents this season including VCU, Michigan, and New Orleans, whom they crushed by 37 points on Saturday. Next up is a date at home against SE Louisiana in what promises to be another lopsided blowout for Will Wade and his crew of sharpshooters.
And while McNeese State is certainly worth watching, the 'Boys are just one of 353 Division I teams that will take to the hardwood this week. We've hand-picked the best games on college basketball's jam-packed schedule and have tasked our experts with providing analysis for each matchup. Below you'll find the latest odds along with a best bet for every game we're tracking. Let the games begin!
Best bet: Under 136.5 (-110 at bet365)
The Saints are averaging a pathetic 50.3 ppg in their previous three contests, while the Broncs are putting up just 65.5 ppg in their last four. Both of these teams are terrible and their inability to make shots is a big reason. Siena is 337th in the country in effective field goal percentage (45.1%) while Rider is 342nd (44.7%). Despite also having poor defensive analytics, the Saints are actually limiting opponents to a 49.1 EFG% in conference play, the third-best number in the Metro Atlantic. When you also consider that Siena is 322nd in average length of possession on offense (18.8 seconds) and the Broncs play at a slightly below-average pace themselves, the Under is the play.
Best bet: Princeton +3.5 (-110 at Betway)
Along with Cornell, these teams are the cream of the crop in the Ivy League, but the Tigers were better during the non-conference part of their schedule. The Tigers are coming off a road loss against Cornell and should be locked in against their rival Bulldogs. Princeton is a Top 15 team nationally in turnover rate, fouls per defensive play, and free throw percentage. They're also 10th in the country in two-point percentage (57.9%) and the fact that number sits at an impressive 56.8% even on the road indicates that they should have offensive success here. With how slow these teams play and how close they are in many metrics this should be a tight game so I'll lean towards a Princeton side that has better guard play and shot-makers, and is catching points.
Best bet: Bruce Thornton Over 3.5 assists (-115 at bet365)
Thornton is averaging 4.3 assists per game and has dropped 4+ dimes in seven of his last nine contests. Ohio State has struggled defensively but they've been solid on offense and should be able to score against an Iowa side that is 296th in points allowed per game (77.2) and 298th in assists allowed per game (14.5). The Buckeyes also typically play at a slow pace but they'll be pulled into a higher-possession game in this contest since the Hawkeyes are 14th in the country in adjusted tempo.
Best bet: Pierre Brooks II Over 15.5 points + assists (+105 at 888)
Butler Bulldogs guard Pierre Brooks II is draining a career-high 42% from beyond the arc this season on 6.3 triple attempts per contest. He is shooting a career-best 47% from inside the arc and 73% from the charity stripe. Brooks has always been a scorer, but this season he has seen his career points per game average soar 10 points to 16.6 per night, which increases to 17.9 ppg when wearing the visitor’s jersey. Additionally, Brooks is a capable passer and playmaker. He’s averaging 1.1 dimes per tilt, but he’s had eight multiple-assist games, which makes his Over 15.5 points +assists prop very enticing.
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Where can I bet on college basketball?
You can bet on college basketball odds at every online sportsbook and casino. The best sites offer NCAA basketball point spreads, Over/Under totals, derivative bets, NCAAB futures and even prop plays as well. Check out our list of the best U.S. betting sites and sportsbooks in 2023 to find a location in your region.
Strategies for betting on college basketball
Betting on college basketball games can be exciting, but it's important to approach it with a strategic mindset. Here are some helpful tips to consider before laying down a wager:
Research teams and players: The college basketball landscape is always changing. Stay up to date on team rosters, NCAAB player injuries, and coaching changes to make the most informed decision possible.
Analyze team statistics: Review NCAAB team statistics such as points per game, field goal percentage, 3-point shooting, and defensive efficiency. Knowing is half the battle, especially when it comes to outwitting oddsmakers.
Study historical performance: Examine head-to-head matchups, recent game results, and trends between the teams. Some teams may have historical dominance over others. Just remember that not all trends are created equal. Try to rely on more recent data that takes into account the team's current personnel and playing style.
Home court advantage: Consider the impact of home-court advantage. Teams tend to perform better when playing in front of their home crowd, especially in places like Duke's jam-packed Cameron Indoor Stadium, where the frenzied fans are practically on top of the court.
Practice bankroll management: Set a budget for your betting activities and stick to it. Bankroll management is crucial for long-term success.
Shop for the best odds: Compare NCAAB odds from multiple sportsbooks to find the best value for your bets. Even a slight difference in odds can make a significant impact on your profits, particularly if you're placing larger wagers.
Play the long game: Betting on college basketball is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't get discouraged by short-term losses, and avoid chasing those losses with bigger bets.
AP Top 25 Rankings
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  UConn |
18-2 | 1,559 |
| 2 |  Purdue |
19-2 | 1,517 |
| 3 |  North Carolina |
17-3 | 1,441 |
| 4 |  Houston |
18-2 | 1,396 |
| 5 |  Tennessee |
15-4 | 1,328 |
| 6 |  Wisconsin |
16-4 | 1,135 |
| 7 |  Duke |
15-4 | 1,066 |
| 8 |  Kansas |
16-4 | 1,051 |
| 9 |  Marquette |
15-5 | 1,025 |
| 10 |  Kentucky |
15-4 | 1,018 |
| 11 |  Arizona |
15-5 | 915 |
| 12 |  Iowa State |
16-4 | 869 |
| 13 |  Creighton |
16-5 | 741 |
| 14 |  Illinois |
15-5 | 717 |
| 15 |  Texas Tech |
16-3 | 713 |
| 16 |  Auburn |
16-4 | 631 |
| 17 |  Utah State |
18-2 | 596 |
| 18 |  Baylor |
14-5 | 404 |
| 19 |  New Mexico |
18-3 | 387 |
| 20 |  Florida Atlantic |
17-4 | 321 |
| 21 |  Dayton |
16-3 | 294 |
| 22 |  BYU |
15-5 | 283 |
| 23 |  Oklahoma |
15-5 | 247 |
| 24 |  Alabama |
14-6 | 240 |
| 25 |  TCU |
15-5 | 215 |
Team rankings as of January 30, 2024.
Biggest riser: Iowa State moved up 11 spots to No. 12 after taking down mighty Kansas on Saturday. Tre King led the way with 21 points and nine boards and the Cyclones shot a season-best 46.7% from beyond the arc to seal the win.
Biggest faller: Oklahoma plummeted 12 spots to No. 23 following back-to-back losses to Texas and Texas Tech. The Sooners are now just 15-5 and in eighth place in the hyper competitive Big 12.
The Associated Press (AP) Top 25 rankings are determined by a panel of approximately 65 sportswriters and broadcasters from various media outlets across the U.S.
Each voter is asked to submit a list of their Top 25 college basketball teams. They rank these teams based on their assessment of their performance, including wins, losses, and overall team strength. The rankings are submitted on a weekly basis during the college basketball season.
Once all the individual ballots are submitted, the AP compiles the rankings by assigning points to each team based on their position in the voters' lists. A team that is ranked first on a ballot receives 25 points, a team ranked second receives 24 points, and so on. The points are then tallied to determine the overall rankings.
The AP Top 25 rankings are released every Monday at noon during the college basketball season.
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 including on select sportsbook apps.
