Free College Basketball Picks: NCAAB Predictions & Best Bets

Free picks on all NCAAB games for March 20, 2026

Prairie View A&M Panthers logo PV @ Florida Gators logo FLA Mar 20 | 9:25 PM ET
3 Point FG
Thomas Haugh logo Thomas Haugh o1.5 3 Point FG (+122)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
Philip Wood image
Philip Wood
Author

Thomas Haugh is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers per game, and he's made at least two in 19 games this season. Prairie View A&M ranks 155th in opponent 3-point field goal percentage.

Total
Prairie View A&M Panthers logo Florida Gators logo u155.0 (-116)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
Philip Wood image
Philip Wood
Author

Florida is averaging 86.8 points per game, but I expect the Gators to stop playing key players as soon as this game gets out of hand to prep for the Round of 32. Prairie View A&M ranks 311th in adjusted offensive rating according to KenPom.

Spread
Prairie View A&M Panthers logo PV +35.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
Philip Wood image
Philip Wood
Author

Prairie View A&M is 22-9 against the spread this season, the fourth-best mark in the country. Florida has won just two games by more than 35 points.

California Baptist Lancers logo CBU @ Kansas Jayhawks logo KU Mar 20 | 9:45 PM ET
Total
California Baptist Lancers logo Kansas Jayhawks logo u137.5 (-105)
Best Odds
Pick made: 4 days ago
Philip Wood image
Philip Wood
Author

Both Kansas and Cal Baptist rank in the top 50 in defensive efficiency, and they both rank 164th or worse in adjusted tempo according to KenPom. Cal Baptist is shooting just 43.2% from the field (267th), and the Lancers should struggle against the third-best shooting defense in the country.

Spread
California Baptist Lancers logo CBU +14.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 4 days ago
Philip Wood image
Philip Wood
Author

Cal Baptist ranks 265th in adjusted tempo according to KenPom, so the Lancers will be able to slow this game down and use their top-50 defense to prevent Kansas from getting comfortable offensively.

Assists
Darryn Peterson logo Darryn Peterson u1.5 Assists (-115)
Best Odds
Pick made: 4 days ago
Philip Wood image
Philip Wood
Author

Cal Baptist is allowing the 14th-fewest assists per game, and Peterson is averaging just 1.7 per contest. He has fewer than two assists in 14 of his 22 games this year.

Furman Paladins logo FUR @ UConn Huskies logo CONN Mar 20 | 10:00 PM ET
Total
Furman Paladins logo UConn Huskies logo u136.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 3 days ago
Philip Wood image
Philip Wood
Author

UConn has held seven consecutive opponents to 72 or fewer points, ranks 11th in adjusted defensive rating from KenPom, and is allowing just 65.1 points per game.

But the offense has also scored 73 or fewer in six of its last seven games.

Spread
Furman Paladins logo FUR +20.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 3 days ago
Philip Wood image
Philip Wood
Author

UConn is 3-2 in its last five games, with only one win by more than 16 points.

While Furman will struggle against one of the best defenses in the country, I worry about UConn's offense, which has scored 73 or fewer in six of seven games.

Assists
SD Silas Demary Jr. o6.5 Assists (+102)
Best Odds
Pick made: 3 days ago
Philip Wood image
Philip Wood
Author

Demary is averaging 6.2 assists per game, and he recorded at least seven assists in three of his five games against non-power conference teams this season. 

Missouri Tigers logo MIZZ @ Miami (FL) Hurricanes logo MIA Mar 20 | 10:10 PM ET
MoneyLine
Miami (FL) Hurricanes logo MIA (-120)
Best Odds
Pick made: 1 hours ago
LJ Blut image
LJ Blut
Author

Miami Hurricanes men's basketball has the guard play and offensive versatility to overwhelm Missouri Tigers men's basketball in this matchup. Miami thrives in up-tempo games, creating efficient looks both inside and beyond the arc, while Missouri has struggled with defensive consistency against athletic backcourts.

The Hurricanes’ experience in March situations also gives them a composure edge late. If Miami controls pace and limits turnovers, they can dictate flow and force Missouri into uncomfortable half-court sets, ultimately pulling away in the second half for a statement opening-round victory.

MoneyLine
Miami (FL) Hurricanes logo MIA (-130)
Best Odds
Pick made: 2 days ago

Miami ranks 21 spots higher in KenPom and is balanced as a top-40 team both offensively and defensively. Missouri could get in trouble given its recent struggles with consistent guard play, as Miami forces 12.7 turnovers per game (76th in the nation).

Total
Missouri Tigers logo Miami (FL) Hurricanes logo o147.0 (-116)
Best Odds
Pick made: 2 days ago

These teams combine to average more than 160 points per game and both possess better offensive units than defensive profiles, per the KenPom ratings. 

Points
Mark Mitchell logo Mark Mitchell o19.5 Points (-112)
Best Odds
Pick made: 2 days ago

Even in losing efforts, Mark Mitchell has scored 32 points in each of his last two games. Missouri's offensive attack runs, at times, exclusively through the senior, and Miami doesn't defend the two-point area well enough to stop him.

Saint Louis Billikens logo SLU @ Michigan Wolverines logo MICH Mar 21 | 12:10 PM ET
Total
Saint Louis Billikens logo Michigan Wolverines logo o161.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

In an effort to pull massive upsets over top-tier teams, coaches have opted to try and win the 3-point volume contest, in the hopes that a high-variance shooting effort tilts in their favor. Saint Louis certainly has the “stretch five” necessary to pull Michigan’s bigs away from the basket in Robbie Avila.

Points and Rebounds
RA Robbie Avila u20.5 Points and Rebounds (-125)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago

This is a difficult matchup for our guy Robbie Avila. Michigan ranks in the top 50 in rebound rates on both ends of the floor, while posting the fourth-best 2-point defensive percentage.

Total
Saint Louis Billikens logo Michigan Wolverines logo u161.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago

This will be a step up in competition for Saint Louis after having a huge schematic edge over Georgia. Michigan ranks in the 96th percentile in half-court defense.

Plus, this is a quick turnaround for two teams who played Thursday evening.

Louisville Cardinals logo LOU @ Michigan State Spartans logo MSU Mar 21 | 2:45 PM ET
Spread
Louisville Cardinals logo LOU +4.5 (-108)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago

Louisville actually has a better net rating with Mikel Brown off the floor this year. I think this spread is overrating his absence, especially when KenPom projects a 2-point game.

Assists
Ryan Conwell logo Ryan Conwell o3.5 Assists (+135)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago

Louisville guard Ryan Conwell leads the team in usage without Mikel Brown. He dished six assists in a win over South Florida in Round 1. I like this price on him doing it again, as Michigan State is 288th in assist rate allowed.

TCU Horned Frogs logo TCU @ Duke Blue Devils logo DUKE Mar 21 | 5:15 PM ET
Points
DP David Punch u15.5 Points (-120)
Best Odds
Pick made: 4 hours ago

David Punch has scored 16-plus points in three straight games. But facing the Blue Devils' No. 1 defense is an entirely different challenge, especially if their rim protector is back.

Game Prop
Duke Blue Devils logo o35.5 Team Total (-120)
Pick made: 4 hours ago

Duke's half-court offense ranks in the 97th percentile, per BBall Index. TCU's half-court defense is in the 68th percentile.

I expect a motivated Blue Devils team to storm out of the gates.

Total
TCU Horned Frogs logo Duke Blue Devils logo u140.5 (-111)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Entering the NCAA Tournament, the Horned Frogs rated as a top-15 defense from an efficiency standpoint in 13 games against top-50 opponents. They also created turnovers at a top-20 rate in those games. But how did the offense fare against that elite competition? It ranked 74th, per Bart Torvik.

Texas A&M Aggies logo TXAM @ Houston Cougars logo HOU Mar 21 | 6:10 PM ET
Spread
Texas A&M Aggies logo TXAM +11.0 (-116)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Entering the NCAA Tournament, the Aggies had only played two games with under 65 possessions. But they certainly didn’t mind Thursday’s 63-50 slugfest, and they improved to 17-2 when forcing a turnover rate of at least 16%.

3 Point FG
RG Rylan Griffen o1.5 3 Point FG (-115)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Houston allowed the second-highest 3-point rate in Big 12 play, while those opponents got more than one-third of their points from the perimeter (fifth-most). 

Texas Longhorns logo TEX @ Gonzaga Bulldogs logo GONZ Mar 21 | 7:10 PM ET
Spread
Texas Longhorns logo TEX +5.5 (-108)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Prior to its win over BYU, Texas ranked as the 64th-best team since Valentine’s Day. But this is also not the same powerful Gonzaga team we’ve seen in the past, and there is something to be said for the momentum Texas has generated from its early NCAA Tournament success.

Assists
DF Davis Fogle u1.5 Assists (-125)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

One thing Texas has always been good at defensively is preventing ball movement and forcing isolation. Because of its ability to stop ball movement, Texas ranks 23rd in assist rate allowed.

VCU Rams logo VCU @ Illinois Fighting Illini logo ILL Mar 21 | 7:50 PM ET
Game Prop
VCU Rams logo o69.5 Team Total (-110)
Pick made: 2 hours ago

Assuming VCU's legs aren't dead, they have some advantages in this matchup. The Rams' 3-point shooting is 30th in the nation, thanks to their ability to make quick decisions on pass-outs of ball screens.

1st Half Spread
Illinois Fighting Illini logo ILL 1st Half -5.5 (-120)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

The market is being too kind to the Rams after Thursday’s historic comeback. VCU wore down UNC’s lack of guard depth with relentless pressure, but Illinois turns the ball over at the sixth-lowest rate in the country. 

Vanderbilt Commodores logo VAN @ Nebraska Cornhuskers logo NEB Mar 21 | 8:45 PM ET
3 Point FG
Tyler Nickel logo Tyler Nickel o2.5 3 Point FG (-140)
Best Odds
Pick made: 14 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Nebraska deploys a packed-in man-to-man defense that allows the lowest rim rate in the country. That means the Cornhuskers allow a high 3-point attempt rate (fourth-highest in the country to be exact). Case in point: Troy attempted 28 threes in Thursday’s loss, compared to just 18 2-pointers.

Spread
Nebraska Cornhuskers logo NEB +2.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 14 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Nebraska ranks in the 7th percentile in ball screens allowed with a 99th percentile efficiency rating, so the Commodores will have to win the majority of one-on-one matchups. Nebraska is also 23-0 when keeping opponents under a 32% offensive rebounding rate, and Vanderbilt averages a 29.9% offensive rebounding rate in SEC play.

High Point Panthers logo HP @ Arkansas Razorbacks logo ARK Mar 21 | 9:45 PM ET
Spread
High Point Panthers logo HP +11.5 (-114)
Best Odds
Pick made: 12 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

High Point had great preparation for Arkansas by playing Wisconsin, as the two teams similarly run offense through their standout backcourt duos. 

3 Point FG
RM Rob Martin o1.5 3 Point FG (-112)
Best Odds
Pick made: 12 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

In three games that High Point faced a top-100 defense this year, it averaged a preposterous 50% 3-point rate. The Panthers carved up those two top defenses (Southern Illinois and UIC) to the tune of 1.11 and 1.25 points per possession, respectively.

Recent News

College basketball picks & best bets today

Every day during the season, including weekday conference clashes and Saturday’s packed slates, the Sportsbook Review college basketball team shares its top picks and predictions across the biggest games on the board. We cover the betting markets that matter most: spreads, totals, moneylines, and player props in the top matchups across Division I.

Our picks widget above highlights our favorite bets each day, with live college basketball odds from trusted sportsbooks. Whether it’s a top-10 showdown, a heated rivalry game, or a mid-major worth streaming, you’ll find sharp insights and value plays for the matchups you’re most likely to bet - and watch.

We break down each matchup with picks on the spread, Over/Unders, and moneyline, plus player props like points, rebounds, and assists. You’ll also see parlays and same-game parlays (SGPs) for anyone chasing a bigger payday. Whether you're backing your favorite school or fading a trendy public side, we aim to help you find the right angle to bet with confidence.

Our experts use advanced stats like tempo, adjusted offensive/defensive efficiency, and 3-point shooting splits. We track injury updates, recent form, and line movement to pinpoint smart bets. And we don’t stop when the regular season ends. We ramp up during the conference tournaments and go all-in for March Madness.

Bookmark this page and come back throughout the season for the latest college basketball picks and betting advice from the team at Sportsbook Review, including women’s March Madness, the NIT, and more.

Free March Madness picks & best bets

Once the bracket is revealed and the madness begins, our experts ramp up coverage with picks and predictions for every round. From early upsets to Sweet 16 showdowns and Final Four runs, we’re on top of the March Madness odds and betting lines that matter most.

We break down every tournament matchup with predictions against the spread, totals, moneylines, and player props. You’ll also find tips on bracket pools, survivor picks, under-the-radar Cinderella teams, and how to spot betting value before the lines adjust.

Expect deeper analysis as the stakes rise and the field shrinks. Whether you’re riding a blue blood to the title or hunting long shots with big upside, we’re here to help you make smarter March Madness bets.

Betting on March Madness futures means wagering on outcomes that will be decided later in the tournament, rather than on individual games. The most common futures market is betting on which team will win the NCAA Tournament, but you can also bet on teams to reach the Final Four, Elite Eight, or even win specific regions. These bets are available well before the tournament begins and are updated throughout the season and during March Madness itself.

For example, you might see futures odds like:

  • UConn to win the national title: +550
  • Kansas to reach the Final Four: +300
  • Alabama to win the West Region: +500

If you place a $100 bet on UConn at +550 and they win it all, you’d win $550 profit (total payout $650). These odds can shift dramatically based on a team’s performance, injuries, bracket placement, and betting action. Futures are popular for bettors who want to lock in a long-shot pick before the field is set or ride with a favorite they believe will survive the bracket.

The key to futures betting is finding value early - before sharp money shortens the odds. Bettors often look at strength of schedule, late-season momentum, tournament experience, and coaching history to spot contenders. Futures can also be part of a hedging strategy, where you bet on multiple teams at different odds to guarantee a profit once the field narrows.

Free college basketball moneyline picks

A moneyline bet is as simple as it gets - just pick the team you think will win the game. No spread involved.

Example:

TeamMoneyline odds
Kansas–160
Kentucky+140
  • A $100 bet on Kansas (–160) wins $62.50 (total payout $162.50) if they win
  • A $100 bet on Kentucky (+140) wins $140 (total payout $240) if they win

Moneyline bets are great when you’re confident a favorite will win or you see value in a live underdog.

Free college basketball Over/Under picks

Over/Under bets focus on the combined total score from both teams. It doesn’t matter who wins - just how many points are scored.

Books might set the line at 145.5, and you choose:

  • Over if you think the game will hit 146 points or more
  • Under if you expect a defensive grind

Most totals are priced around -110 odds. You can also bet first-half totals, team totals, or jump in with live Over/Unders as the game unfolds.

Free college basketball spread picks

Spread betting levels the playing field between favorites and underdogs. It’s the most popular way to bet college hoops.

For example:

  • Duke -5.5 means the Blue Devils must win by 6+ to cover
  • Miami +5.5 means the Hurricanes can win outright or lose by 5 or fewer

Spread bets are typically offered at –110 odds, and that “.5” hook means there’s no tie - your picks against the spread will either win or lose.

Free college basketball prop picks

Player props in college basketball let you focus on individual performances, which can be more predictable than betting the full game.

Popular prop bets include:

  • Player points Over/Under
  • Rebounds or assists
  • First team to 10 points
  • Race to 20 points

Example:

  • Braden Smith Over 22.5 points (-115)
  • JT Toppin to score 20+ points (+180)

Prop bets can offer better odds and more entertainment value, especially when you’re dialed into the matchups. They’re also great for building parlays or adjusting mid-game in live betting.

The odds for player props usually hover around -110, though some may vary based on betting action or player popularity. These bets are ideal if you follow specific teams or players closely, as you can identify mismatches, usage trends, or hot streaks that might not be factored into the line. Props also offer more flexibility and entertainment - especially when betting on a game that may not have value on the spread or total. And during the NCAA Tournament, when matchups tighten and stars play heavier minutes, player props can be a profitable way to target consistent performers.

How we make our college basketball picks & predictions

At Sportsbook Review, we don’t rely on hunches or hot takes. Every pick is backed by data, research, and real analysis.

We study:

  • Offensive and defensive efficiency (KenPom, Torvik, etc.)
  • Tempo, shooting splits, and turnover rates
  • Injury updates, player usage, and matchup history
  • Betting market movement and sharp action

Our experts aim to spot the edge before the market does. Whether it’s a mid-major flying under the radar or a blue blood in a bounce-back spot, we help you find value.

Why trust our college basketball experts?

Sportsbook Review has been covering sports betting for over 20 years. We’ve built a reputation for honest reviews of our best March Madness betting sites, sharp analysis, and expert picks that deliver results.

Here’s why you can count on our college hoops team:

  • Experience: We've been picking games since before one-and-dones were a thing
  • Focus: Our experts cover the teams and conferences they know inside and out
  • Transparency: We rate each pick from 1 to 5 stars so you can gauge confidence
  • Real action: We only share picks our experts would actually bet themselves

From tip-off in November to the nets getting cut down in April, we’re here to help you win your bets - and enjoy the ride.

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