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College Basketball Odds & Lines

Betting on College Basketball Odds

For those looking to break into betting on college hoops, stick around. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to get started betting on College Basketball with pro tips to put you on the right path.

With hundreds of teams and thousands of games each year to monitor, betting on College Basketball lines is no easy task. But, with a little help, you will be profiting in no time.

How to bet on College Basketball Odds

College Basketball is one of the most heavily bet sports in the United States. Recent reports suggest that 40+ million people bet more than $3 billion on the College Basketball Tournament last season alone.

That is roughly three times more activity than the Super Bowl saw in February.

To be fair, March Madness is a month of the best college basketball in the world, while the Super Bowl is one four-hour event.

With 32 conferences and 350 teams, College Basketball is a different beast than any other sport. Heck, that is just Division 1 (NCAA D-1) ball. Taking into account DII and DIII, there are over 1,000 schools in the College Basketball that play basketball.

The guide that follows is designed to make the jump to College Basketball Odds easy for new bettors. We won’t be getting much into DII or DIII, but there is more than enough in Division I to work with.

Ahead we will cover how to read basketball odds, popular bet types, and some strategies that will help navigate a full season of College Basketball and of course March Madness betting.

Reading College Basketball Odds

The first step in learning how to bet on any sport is getting accustomed to reading odds and betting lines. Without the proper guidance, the above odds board probably looks like a mess. Luckily this guide will make reading odds second nature to you in no time.

For the start of this section, we will focus on the American (aka Moneyline) format for odds. This is the default for BetUS and what you will see the most in the United States.

Let’s create a hypothetical College Basketball game between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Baylor Bears to get us started. The Moneyline odds for any basketball game listed above will look like this:

Gonzaga Bulldogs -150

Baylor Bears +120

While this does not seem like a lot of information, these lines provide us with all we need to know. The first thing to note is that the home team is always listed second. In this case, Baylor is the home team with Gonzaga on the road.

The next thing to take note of is the plus (+) and minus (-) sign in front of each team. These symbols tell us which team is the favorite and which is the underdog. A plus sign in front of a team means they are underdogs while a minus symbol represents the betting favorite.

When a game is expected to be close, both teams can be listed as favorites or underdogs. Sometimes, the odds for both teams are the same. For example, if both teams are listed as +100, this is called a Pick ‘em. When you see odds like this, it means the game is expected to be a near-deadlock.

So, what about the numbers that follow those symbols? For favorites, the number represents the amount of money you would have to wager to win $100. In the above example, Gonzaga is (-150) to win the game.

That means, to win $100, you would have to risk $150. On the other hand, when betting on underdogs, the number represents the payout on a $100 wager. So, a $100 bet on the Bears would pay $120. In both instances, winning bets get back their initial stake along with the amount won.

That covers the American style of odds, but there are two additional formats you are likely to encounter. So, let’s get familiar with Fractional odds (aka “British” odds), and decimal odds (aka “European” odds).

Here is an example of the same game listed with fractional odds:

Gonzaga Bulldogs 4/6

Baylor Bears 6/5

While fractions annoy most people, understanding this format is a breeze once you see what is happening. A basic example would be a game with odds at 2/1 (2-1) odds for one team. This means that the bet will pay out $2 for every $1 wagered. In essence, doubling your initial stake.

So, in our hypothetical game, a bet on the Bulldogs would pay out $4 for every $6 wagered. Anytime the first number is less than the second, the team is a favorite. The Bears, meanwhile, will pay out $6 for every $5 wagered as underdogs.

Finally, let’s take a look at the same game listed with decimal odds:

Gonzaga Bulldogs 1.67

Baylor Bears 2.20

There is one major difference between the odds in this format and the previous two. While fractional and Moneyline odds represent the profit from a winning bet, decimal odds represent the total return. This means that decimal odds take into account your stake, while the others do not.

For example, a $1 wager on the Bulldogs would return $1.67 total. That breaks down to $0.67 for winning the bet and your $1 stake returned. Similarly, a $1 bet on Baylor will return $2.20 total or $1.20 for winning the bet, and the $1 you risked.

Decimal odds are preferred by many over fractional odds because they are easier to decipher and the line moves occur in smaller increments.

College Basketball Moneyline Betting

Moneyline (ML) betting is the most straightforward wager you can make on sports. Also known as straight-up (SU) or outright betting, the only thing you need to do here is to pick a winner.

This is the best place to start for new sports bettors. The format is the same as the money line odds listed above with a typical game looking like this:

North Carolina Tar Heels +125

Kansas Jayhawks -150

In this example, the Jayhawks (-150) are solid favorites against the visiting Tar Heels (+125). We know this because Kansas is listed as the second team and has a minus (-) in front of their odds.

To win $100 in Kansas, you would need to risk $150. But, to win $150 on the underdog Tar Heels, you would need to bet just $120.

College Basketball Point Spread Betting

While Moneyline betting is the easiest to understand, betting against the spread (ATS) is by far the most popular. This is because ATS betting is designed to handicap the favorites and move the odds closer to even.

This is particularly important in College Basketball because there are plenty of massive mismatches. It is not uncommon to see ML odds of -1000 or more for favorites.

This leaves very little value to be had on the ML when a $1000 bet would win you just $100. So, the spread allows us to add betting value to even the biggest of mismatches.

The way it works is by assigning a set number of points for each game known as the spread. Think of it as a head start for the underdog of (X) number of points. When you see a spread in the sportsbook, it will look something like this:

North Carolina Tar Heels +3.5 (-105)

Kansas Jayhawks -3.5 (-115)

The spread is always the same for both teams and, in this case, is set at 3.5. This is the first time we see half-points incorporated into odds. This is by design to avoid the possibility of a tie or “push.” In the above example, the Tar Heels are 3.5-point underdogs with odds of (-105).

This means a winning bet on UNC would pay out $95 for every $100 wagered. It also means that, at +3.5, the Tar Heels can win or lose, but cannot lose by more than (3) points.

If they lose by (3) or fewer points, they cover the spread as underdogs. Kansas, on the other hand, has to win the game by at least (4) points to cover their spread as favorites.

College Basketball Totals Betting

Betting on totals is a bit different from other formats as it is not contingent on who wins or loses the game.

This is because when betting totals, aka Over/Under (O/U), you are wagering on the combined points both teams score. This is a fun way to mix up the daily bets you are making and incorporate something new.

Here is an example of what the O/U odds for a college basketball game look like.

Syracuse Orange vs. St. John’s Red Storm O/U 71.5 (o-105)/-115u)

In this example, the total for this game has been set at 71.5. This means that a score of 72 or more will cash Over bets while any score of 71 or fewer would cash Under bets. Half points are used widely in college basketball totals. We also see that the Over pays out at (-105) while the Under has odds of (-115).

Totals in college basketball can tend to be all over the place with the mismatches that occur. The average scoring total of D1 men’s basketball games in 2021 was around 67.75 points PPG. But, totals can extend much higher, or lower than that.

BetUS also offers team totals for most college basketball games. The difference here is you are betting on one team’s total points and not the combined game score. You can also bet on first-quarter and first-half totals.

College Basketball Prop Betting

BetUS Sportsbook offers a ton of prop (propositional) bets for most major College Basketball games. The bigger the game, the more prop bets will be available. These bets are a great way to expand your bet types and add a ton of fun along the way.

There are two main prop bets in basketball player props and team props. As the names suggest, team props are based on the performance of an entire team while player props focus on individuals.

An example of a team prop would be the total number of rebounds the Baylor Bears have in a game, or how many fouls the Michigan Wolverines commit. In these cases, the prop bet will be set up like a betting total. An example would be:

Michigan Wolverines Total Fouls O/U 9.5 (o-110/u-110)

In this example, a bet on the Over would be a bet on the Wolverines to commit 10 or more personal fouls with odds at (-110). If they don’t reach 10 fouls, the

Under cashes at (-110).

Player props are pretty much the same but allow bettors to wager on individuals instead. It is common to see Yes/No types of bets in this category. An example of this would be:

Will Hunter Dickinson (MICH) Earn a Double-Double? Yes -150 / No +125

In this case, we are betting on whether we think Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson will get a double-double in this game. Yes is implied to be the likely choice at -150 while No would be considered the “underdog” at +125.

College Basketball Futures Betting

Futures are often considered a type of prop bet that spans entire seasons and not just a single game.

This is because, unlike other types of bets, futures allow you to bet on outcomes months down the road. The major draw of this type of betting is the high payouts that are possible.

Some common betting futures for College Basketball include conference champions, teams to make the elite eight, and who wins Coach of the Year.

While betting on the winner of the College Basketball Tournament is the most popular futures bet, there are dozens of options available each season to explore.

College Basketball 2023 - 2024 Season

The 2023-2024 NCAAB college basketball season is currently running from November 6th, 2023 to March 11th, 2024.

After the regular season, the top 64 teams will face off in an elimination-style tournament starting on March 16th and concluding on April 8th, 2024

Here are some notable events and tournaments that will take place during the season:

Asheville Championship

This tournament will take place on November 10th and 12th at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina. The participating teams are Clemson, Davidson, Maryland, and UAB.

Legends Classic

This tournament will take place on November 16th and 17th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The participating teams are Auburn, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, and St. Bonaventure.

Baha Mar Bahamas Hoops Championship

This tournament will take place on November 17th, 18th, and 19th at the Baha Mar Convention Center in Nassau, Bahamas. The participating teams are Colorado, Florida State, Richmond, and UNLV.

SEC Tournament

The SEC Tournament will take place from March 13th to March 17th at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

It is worth noting that the SEC basketball schedule will end on March 9th, 2024, before the start of the SEC Tournament.

Explore College Basketball Betting with BetUS

Exploring the dynamic world of college basketball betting at BetUS, you’ll find a treasure trove of opportunities to engage with various teams and conferences. Imagine the excitement as teams like the Fordham Rams, Troy Trojans, and Peter S Peacocks strive for victory. Each game brings a unique flavor, from the strategic plays of the Wisconsin Badgers to the spirited efforts of the Northern Illinois Huskies and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Betting on college basketball at BetUS is not just about picking winners; it’s about understanding the nuances of each match-up. Whether it’s a showdown in the Big East or a clash between the Western Illinois Leathernecks and the Eastern Washington Eagles, the point spreads offer insights into the perceived chances of winning. Enthusiasts can delve into stats and predictions for teams like the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns or the Indiana-based teams, all while experiencing the thrill of potential victory.

In the realm of online sportsbooks, BetUS stands out with features like the parlay calculator, a tool that allows bettors to explore different betting scenarios.

This is particularly useful when considering the outcomes of games involving teams like the South Dakota State Jackrabbits or the Dakota State Bison. The excitement doesn’t stop there: teams like the Oakland Golden Grizzlies and the Saint Peter’s Peacocks often bring unexpected twists to the game, making college basketball betting a continually engaging pastime.

As fans from regions like West Virginia or South Dakota tune in, they’re not just watching a game — they’re part of a larger community that spans the entire nation. From the historical significance of teams in the Men’s College Basketball sphere to the rising popularity of teams like the Golden Grizzlies and the Dakota State Jackrabbits, BetUS provides an inclusive and comprehensive platform for all college basketball betting needs.

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College Basketball FAQs

Yes, as long as collegiate betting is available in your state (some have bans on betting on college sports) you can bet on College Basketball odds. There are plenty of College Basketball games in a regular season for you to bet on with 350 Division I teams.
You can find Vegas odds for College Basketball right here on BetUS Sportsbook. We have a comprehensive list of odds for every game, from moneyline wagers, to point spreads, totals, and special proposition bets that you can wager on.
College Basketball odds are easy to understand and read – we recommend heading over to our How to Bet on College Basketball tab to view the betting guide for college basketball. There, we outline the top betting options available for college basketball, as well as examples, and show you how to read the odds.
The College Basketball season begins in the fall and runs until late March/early April. March Madness is the pillar event of the season, showcasing the top 64 teams in a bracket-style knockout tournament.
College Basketball is played around the United States, in every province, with 350 Division I teams. There are over 11,000 games scheduled in the league per year, in countless different venues and cities.
Yes, betting on College Basketball odds is legal, as long as college basketball betting is legal in your state. You can easily bet on College Basketball odds online at BetUS Sportsbook from your computer or smartphone, making these College Basketball odds accessible wherever you are.
You can bet on College Basketball odds from your smartphone, laptop, or tablet from the comfort of your own home on the BetUS online sportsbook. You can access the mobile site easily on your browser on any device and place your wagers, make deposits, and collect bonuses and promotions on the go.
BetUS offers a great selection of games to bet on, as well as plenty of in-game prop bets and specials you can take advantage of for any of Division I games during the regular season, as well as countless March Madness prop bets on top of the regular betting menu.
For an in-depth guide that will teach you how to bet on College Basketball odds, we recommend visiting our College Basketball betting guide tab, where you can find plenty of examples and betting options that would be available for all 11,000+ regular season games.
College Basketball odds are simple to understand, but for new bettors, we recommend learning how odds work by first determining which odds format you prefer – American, Decimal or Fractional, then heading to our How to Bet on College Basketball section to learn how to bet on the popular betting types.
We recommend honing in on a conference or picking a few teams to follow. There are 350 College Basketball teams and it would be difficult and risky to bet on every single game each week. Follow a few teams, learn more about them and their stats, and you can make better College Basketball betting decisions.
College Basketball provides a great opportunity to create some huge parlays. There are so many games being played, and on weekends, there can be upwards of 30 games in a single day. This means you can pile parlays together that could pay out huge winnings and grow your sports betting wallet for the long run.
While there are no College Basketball lines available today. Explore all Basketball lines here.

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Rolling If Bets are:

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How to Place a Rolling If Bet:

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Rolling If Bets (RIF) allow you to use the balance (amount) from existing wagers to make a new wager. As long as existing wagers have not been graded, the amount wagered can still be used to make new wagers. However, if your original wager loses, the Rolling If Bet is then cancelled. There are two options for ties (pushes); you can specify if you want the Rolling If Bet to continue in case of a tie or simply cancel the RIF.

Rolling If Bets are:

  • only allowed on straight bets, Parlays and Teasers.
  • not available with Free Plays or Futures and Props
  • only available if you have pre existing, non graded wagers
  • you can only use the funds from the amount of the pre existing wager

How to Place a Rolling If Bet:

  • Choose any straight, parlay or teaser and Place it on the Bet Slip
  • Click on the Rolling If Bet button next to the wager detail
  • In the RIF dropdown, choose a wager that you want to use for RIF
  • Click on "If Win Only" or "If Win or Push" (explained above)
  • Fill in the amount and confirm your wager (the system will not allow you a higher amount than what is available)
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