College basketball holds much more weight in the US than you may think. The NCAA is a league where all the future stars are developed and from where the NBA gets its most prosperous talents.
College basketball betting has surged in popularity recently, making it more appealing to bettors than ever before. Here, we will provide the necessary details to make college basketball bets and explain how they work.
Introduction to College Basketball Betting
Betting on college basketball does not differ in its core compared to betting on any other basketball league. The bet types and markets are largely the same. You can bet on the match outcome, points totals, or individual player performances like in any other professional league.
The biggest difference is that these are college or amateur players. They are not professional athletes; they are still in high school but playing on their college teams. Both rookie, sophomore, and senior students play on the same team.
Therefore, the level of basketball is not the same as that of the NBA. But the dose of excitement is, particularly in championship games or during the NCAA tournament.
Major Events in College Basketball Betting
A few events are regarded as the most important during the college basketball season – the Conference Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. Every bettor eagerly awaits the start of these competitions and the release of college basketball lines.
NCAA Tournament
The NCAA tournament, also known as the March Madness, is the pinnacle of the college basketball season. With 64 of the best teams starting in the first one, it is a single-game elimination tournament where only one team emerges as the winner.
It takes place over three weeks in March. After the first two rounds, the teams enter the Sweet Sixteen, then the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and the Championship game to determine the winner. People can bet on individual games or place futures on which team will win or which team will advance to a certain stage of the competition.
Conference Tournaments
Conference tournaments are regional competitions played all over the US. In fact, there are 32 Conference Tournaments, the winners of which qualify directly for the NCAA tournament. The other 32 teams receive at-large bids to complete the tournament bracket.
The Conference Tournaments are also played in a single-game elimination style, meaning there are no mistakes when playing these games. Bettors should know that they can wager on individual games, players, as well as tournament winner bets.
Understanding College Basketball Betting Lines
Every college basketball betting guide will advise you to check the lines before placing a bet. Operators will release their odds well before each game, which could sometimes change. Your task is to follow them and see whether any changes happen.
Because sometimes, the given lines might not be suitable for you. For that reason, keeping a close look at the lines is paramount when betting on college basketball.
What Is the Spread in Basketball Betting?
Generally speaking, the spread is the number of points the oddsmaker gives to separate the two competing teams. You will often see something along the lines of -7.5 spread. To cover the spread, the favored team needs to win by a 7.5 margin. If they win by less, it is a losing bet.
On the other hand, the underdog can only lose by so much. If they lose the contest by more than 7.5 points, it could also mean a losing bet.
What Does Moneyline Mean in Basketball Betting?
Moneyline betting in college basketball is the most straightforward type of bet you will ever see. It does not involve any handicaps that need to be adhered to; you only need to pick the winner of the match.
Example:
If you place a moneyline bet on the home team to win in a contest between Arkansas and Oklahoma, a winning bet would be for Arkansas to win the game, no matter the points margin.
Over/Under College Basketball Betting Explained
If you are not really certain which team will win the game, you can bet on points as a viable alternative. This is what over/under betting is. Your wager involves the overall points total of the two teams going over or under a specific line.
Example:
In a game between Texas A&M University and Florida State, the line is set at 156.5 points. Your bet will be a winning one if you successfully determine whether it will go lower or above that point total.
Tips and Strategies for College Basketball Betting
The best possible college basketball betting tips involve you following the league as best as you can.
Knowing the history of the league, the teams involved, the form, and even reading all the news will help you get better at betting on college basketball.
Also, keeping a betting diary and keeping track of all of your past bets will help you stay on the budget and not allow you to wager more than you are willing to lose.
Conclusion
To summarize our college basketball betting article it provides an additional way of betting on basketball that is not the NBA. Also, if you are a college basketball fan, it will be fun for you to bet on perhaps your own college going up against bitter rivals. It does not differ compared to betting on other basketball leagues, so it will be easy to adapt.
You can find a brand that you want to bet with, create an account with them, and then look for betting opportunities that you can place.
Firstly, you need to understand the rules of the league and also follow the current and past results. Reading news surrounding players and checking out injury reports will also help.
It depends on the state. It is legal to bet on college basketball in the states where sports betting is legal.
