When it comes to betting on College Basketball underdogs, savvy bettors know that the key to success lies in identifying value picks that others might overlook. College basketball is full of surprises, and many underdog teams are more than capable of covering the spread or even pulling off an outright win, offering plenty of opportunities for profit.
Betting on College Basketball Underdogs: Value Picks and Strategies
Underdog Advantage: Bet Smart, Win Big with These College Basketball Picks
2024 College Basketball Season | 86th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men’s college basketball national champion
Regular season will end on March 16, 2025
Betting the College Basketball Season
College basketball games often bring surprises, and betting on college basketball underdogs can be a smart strategy.
Many underdog teams pull off wins or cover the spread, giving bettors opportunities for value.
Here’s a guide to finding good college basketball underdog picks and making smart bets.
Underdogs are often overlooked because people focus on well-known teams or higher rankings.
However, in college basketball, underdogs can keep games close or even win outright, especially in the right matchups.
Understanding how to identify these opportunities takes research and patience, but it can lead to rewarding outcomes over time.
Profit with NCAA Basketball Underdogs
Betting on college basketball underdogs may not seem like a viable path to profit. After all, as the old saying goes, the dog is the dog for a reason.
But if we take a deep dive, we soon realize why want to make college basketball underdog picks.
The process can be lucrative because college basketball odds are fantastic on dogs.
Check out why we should look for college hoops underdogs and strategies to make winning plays.
Writer’s Rundown on Betting Underdogs
Why Underdogs Can Be Profitable
Betting on underdogs is about finding teams that are underestimated.
Sportsbooks often favor teams with better records or rankings, but underdogs can still compete.
In college basketball, smaller schools or teams with good matchups often perform better than expected.
These situations create value for bettors who can spot opportunities.
Another reason underdogs can be profitable is that public betting trends often inflate the odds for favorites.
When the majority of bets come in on a popular team, sportsbooks adjust the lines to protect themselves as the NCAAB season moves along.
This adjustment can create better value for underdog bets, making it easier to find good opportunities with improved odds.
Key Factors to Look For
When picking underdogs, research is important.
Look at team matchups, playing styles, and recent performance.
For example, an underdog with a strong defense could keep the game close.
Home-court advantage is another factor.
Underdogs playing at home often perform better, especially in front of loud fans.
Another key factor is the pace of play.
Teams that slow the game down and limit possessions often create close games, even against stronger opponents.
Checking how underdogs perform against ranked teams is also useful.
Some teams thrive in high-pressure matchups, making them stronger bets in these situations.
How to Bet Smart
Start by betting smaller amounts.
College basketball underdog picks can be unpredictable, so managing your bankroll is key.
Look for underdogs with spreads of +4 to +8.
These teams often cover without needing to win outright.
Pay attention to line movement before placing your bet.
If the line moves in favor of the underdog, it might mean sharp bettors see value.
Sharp action often signals overlooked opportunities, so tracking these changes can help you find strong underdog picks.
Stay patient and wait for the right moment to place your bet.
Challenges to Watch For
While betting on college basketball underdogs can be rewarding, it’s not without risks.
Some teams labeled as underdogs may lack depth or struggle to play against faster, more physical opponents.
It’s important to avoid blindly betting on underdogs just because the odds seem favorable.
Always base your decisions on research and data.
Another challenge is understanding when an underdog’s performance might be a fluke.
A team that recently pulled off an upset might see inflated expectations in the next game.
Bettors should look at the context of previous games to ensure they’re not overestimating a team’s abilities.
Being cautious and focusing on consistent performance will help you make better bets.
College Basketball Underdog Picks: Why bet on underdogs?
Upsets happen a lot in college hoops
The annual NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament is called March Madness because of the upsets that happen every year.
Madness is a good word to describe the entire college basketball season, not just the tournament.
In college hoops, and this has been true since the beginning of basketball, the most talented team doesn’t always win.
Teams with home court advantage always have an edge in college basketball. Also, the talent level is much closer between teams on the hardcourt than it is on something like a football field.
Value lines assigned to college basketball dogs
The most significant reason to make college basketball underdog picks is score profit.
Betting underdogs on the moneyline can lead to decent payouts.
The Houston Cougars currently rank fifteenth in the nation.
One of Houston’s three losses came against the San Diego State Aztecs when they ranked sixth in the country.
The Cougs lost on their home court. The ML on SDSU in the game was massive.
If we had handicapped the game and made a case for the Aztecs, we could have made a nice profit going against the Cougars.
College Dogs Step It Up on Their Home Court
College underdogs play well on their court.
On Friday, December 6, Northwestern upset 19 Illinois 70-66 in overtime.
The Wildcats took on the Illini on their court.
On November 15, unranked Wisconsin routed then 9 Arizona 103-88.
The game happened in Madison on the Badgers’ court. Concentrating on backing home dogs can yield big time profit.
College Basketball Underdog Betting Strategies
Analyze the matchup
Always analyze the matchup. Consider the underdog’s true chances, which means look at the points spread and decide if the spread is fair.
If the point spread isn’t fair, if the favorite is offering an underlaid spread, then it means the dog may offer an overlay moneyline. We should always look to bet overlays.
Look at Recent Performance
How is the underdog performing leading up to the game?
Because there are so many teams in division one college basketball, it’s impossible to know how good an under the radar dog is compared to the favored team.
For example, the Badgers were 3-0 heading into their matchup with Arizona.
Nobody knew Wisconsin hadn’t beaten anybody.
But a close look at their performances showed they were good enough to take down the Wildcats.
Check Injury Reports and Consider Fatigue
A favorite can throw in a clunker due to fatigue.
I don’t mean to pick on Arizona but the Wildcats are 4-4 after 8 games because they traveled to Wisconsin and then took on Duke.
Then they played Davidson and won but had to play Oklahoma and West Virginia.
Wisconsin, Duke, Oklahoma, Davidson, and West Virginia in the span of two weeks was too much for the young Cats.
Zona lost to West Virginia and Oklahoma on their court where they were favored.
The Mountaineers and Sooners are two college basketball underdogs we could have made a case for if we had considered the fatigue strategy.
Betting on College Basketball Underdogs Final Thoughts
Betting on college basketball underdogs can be rewarding when done with research and planning.
Look for teams with favorable matchups, home-court advantage, or overlooked strengths.
Whether you’re betting against the spread or on the moneyline, underdogs can add value to your strategy.
Stay consistent, and look for the best college basketball underdog picks to improve your chances of success.
Remember to avoid chasing losses.
If an underdog bet doesn’t work out, move on and focus on the next opportunity.
Consistency and discipline are key to building long-term success in betting.
By sticking to your strategy and staying informed, you can make smarter bets and enjoy better results over time.
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^ Top^ TopIs the 2024-2025 SEC the greatest college basketball conference of all time?
— Kentucky Stan (@kentuckycatz) December 8, 2024
SEC teams are currently 123-18 🤯 pic.twitter.com/D1oZpspNkQ
Updated Top 2025 College Basketball National Championship Odds to Win
Teams | Odds |
---|---|
Auburn Tigers | +600 |
Duke Blue Devils | +610 |
Houston Cougars | +1100 |
Iowa State Cyclones | +1200 |
Tennessee Volunteers | +1375 |
Alabama Crimson Tide | +1600 |
Florida Gators | +1600 |
Gonzaga Bulldogs | +1800 |
Kentucky Wildcats | +2000 |
UConn Huskies | +2300 |
Kansas Jayhawks | +2500 |
Illinois Fighting Illini | +3000 |
Michigan Wolverines | +3400 |
Marquette Golden Eagles | +3700 |
St. John's Red Storm | +5000 |
Michigan State Spartans | +5600 |
UCLA Bruins | +5800 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders | +6000 |
Baylor Bears | +6000 |
Texas A&M Aggies | +6000 |
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Learn More on College Basketball Betting
How does it work?
Who are the top 3 favorites to win the NCAA Tournament? Let’s Find Out
Betting on college basketball underdogs can be a thrilling way to increase your potential winnings.
While underdogs are less likely to win outright, they often offer attractive odds. By carefully analyzing matchups and identifying potential upsets, you can capitalize on these opportunities.
Here are some tips for betting on college basketball underdogs:
- Analyze Team Performance:
Consider the recent performance of both teams, including their offensive and defensive strengths and weaknesses. - Home-Court Advantage:
Home-court advantage can play a significant role in college basketball games. - Injuries:
Monitor injury reports, as injuries to key players can impact a team’s performance. - Betting Strategy:
Develop a betting strategy and stick to it. Consider using a unit betting system to manage your bankroll effectively.
To place a bet on college basketball underdogs, you’ll need to sign up with an online sportsbook that offers college basketball betting.
Here’s how to get started:
- Create an account:
Sign up for a new account by providing your personal information and verifying your identity. - Deposit funds:
Fund your account using your preferred payment method, such as credit card, debit card, or e-wallet. - Find the college basketball betting section:
Navigate to the college basketball section of the sportsbook and look for the specific game you want to bet on. - Place your bet:
Choose the "Moneyline" bet type and select the underdog team.
To stay up-to-date on the latest college basketball odds, lines, and betting tips, check out our College Basketball News section.
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