College Basketball Betting Sites: Where To Bet On College Basketball
With over 350 Division 1 teams in the mix, hoops at the collegiate and university level is exciting to watch and bet on. There are plenty of wagering opportunities for bettors, from a typical matchup between Duke and North Carolina, to March Madness, the annual single-elimination tournament that culminates in the national championship game.
Below you’ll find a list of the best college basketball betting sites and what to look for when you bet on college basketball. We’ll also cover odds and betting types so you’re ready to make your NCAAB bets at one of the online sportsbooks we’ve vetted, with all the reviews and info you need.
What are the Best Places to Bet on College Basketball?
Bovada Sportsbook Review
When it comes to sportsbooks geared to American bettors, Bovada offers everything you need to bet on the NFL, NBA, MLB and college sports. There’s also lines on hockey, UFC, e-sports and politics. From live betting to exclusive bonuses on certain deposit options, Bovada is the ultimate sports betting site for those looking for quick withdrawals, special promotions and different language options (English and Spanish).
BetOnline Sportsbook Review
Known for their killer welcome bonus and refer-a-friend program, BetOnline.ag is focused on the bettor. Choose from player props to $125 worth of risk-free bets when you use this sportsbook for your wagering needs. They also boast early lines and quick payouts, making them one of the most respected in the industry.
Intertops Sportsbook Review
With multiple bonuses to choose from, Intertops is your one-stop shop for betting on everything from soccer, football, baseball, tennis, basketball, esports and more. This online sportsbook gives you over 4,000 daily wagers and live scoring so you can track your bets in real time. Plus, their mobile betting site is just as easy to use as their desktop version.
SportsBetting.ag Sportsbook Review
Betting on sports is easy when you use an online sportsbook like this one. SportsBetting.ag is part of the BetOnline.ag family and it shows. With multiple betting options, live wagering and numerous sports available to bet on, this is a sportsbook not to be missed.
BetNow Sportsbook Review
Looking to bet on your favorite American sports? This is the sportsbook for you. With great action and an ample welcome bonus, BetNow has something for bettors of all walks of life. Besides their roster of sports to bet on, this online betting site is easy to use with clean graphics that look perfect on desktop and mobile.
GTBets Sportsbook Review
GTBets is the sportsbook of choice for football fans due to their NFL and college football betting lines and odds. Their easy-to-use interface makes betting a breeze. Plus, their ample sign-up bonus will match your first deposit 100% up to $500. Whether you're wagering on the NBA, baseball or horse racing, this is the online betting site you need.
BookMaker Sportsbook Review
Anyone wanting to bet on their favorite sports will love BookMaker. Whether you're an NFL aficionado looking for point spread action or an NBA fanatic looking to make a two-team teaser, this is the site for you. This sportsbook has contests, bonuses and enough to keep bettors rewarded for their sharp wagers.
What We Look for in an NCAAB Sportsbook
When it comes to making your college basketball picks, you want a sportsbook you can trust. We have vetted the best places to bet on college basketball to ensure that they are safe, secure, and provide ample odds and action on the NCAAB.
Whether it's mobile betting or wagering from your desktop, we always look for the following when we evaluate college basketball betting sites:
Depositing Real Money
Betting on sports requires capital. Whether you’re wagering $5, $50 or $500, you want to be able to fund your account using the deposit and withdrawal option of your choice. The sites we recommend allow you to use credit cards (AMEX, MasterCard, Visa), debit, e-wallets (Neteller, PayPal, Skrill), and Bitcoin.
Bonuses and Rewards
The college basketball sportsbooks on our list like to give back in the form of bonuses, sport-specific offers, and free bets. The most common reward is the Welcome Bonus which matches a certain amount of your first deposit up to a fixed amount. Sites that offer bonuses and rewards are basically adding to your bankroll. Be sure to read the terms and conditions since each sportsbook is different with regards to their betting site offers.
Customer Service
Should something go wrong, you want to get it fixed ASAP. Customer service is key when it comes to betting on sports. The NCAA basketball betting sites on our list all provide their clients with support via email, phone and live chat.
Odds and Betting Options
NCAAB betting sites will show their odds in American (-500), Fractional (1/5) or Decimal (1.20) style. You can choose how you want the odds displayed when you make your bets. At Odds Shark, we use American-style odds. Bettors in the U.K. tend to favor fractions and those in Europe and Australia are more inclined to use decimals.
At the sportsbooks we love, you’ll find the following ways to bet on college basketball:
Moneyline: Picking a Team to Win SU
The moneyline involves you betting on a team to win straight up (SU). Odds would look something like this:
Villanova -220
Marquette +180
If you pick the Wildcats, you would need to wager $220 to win $100. If you bet on the Golden Eagles, you would need to wager $55.56 to win $100. Because Marquette is the underdog – you can tell by the plus sign (+) – you’d be making a bigger risk but would earn a bigger profit. In this scenario, Villanova is the favorite – you can tell by the minus sign (-).
To see how much you’d win based on the odds and the amount bet, check out our Odds Calculator.
Point Spread: Choosing a Team to Cover
Spread betting in college ball works the same way as it would with the NBA. You would be picking a team that you think will perform best against the spread (ATS). Odds would look something like this:
Connecticut -5.5
Tulane +5.5
In order for the Huskies to cover the spread, they would need to win the game by six points or more. For the Green Wave to cover the spread, they would need to win the game outright or lose by five points or less.
Totals: Combined Score Betting
When betting totals, you will need to determine if the total number of points scored in the game will go OVER or UNDER the oddsmaker’s set number. If the total is set at 149 for a matchup between Kentucky and Missouri and the final score is 73-69 for the Tigers, it means the combined score is 142. If you took the UNDER, you’d win your wager.
If the final score had been 149 on the nose, it’s called a PUSH. Your money would be refunded as if your bet never happened since neither the OVER nor the UNDER won.
Props: Keeping Betting Fun
Props are bets on the occurrence or non-occurrence of milestones that may not directly relate to the outcome of the game. College basketball prop bets are available during the regular season, but they rise in popularity during March Madness. You’ll see odds for things like the number of rebounds a player will get in the game, or which team will score the last basket before halftime.
Parlays and Teasers
A parlay is comprised of multiple bets on one ticket. In order to win, all selected bets must hit. If even one of those bets loses, your whole ticket is a bust. Our Parlay Calculator will show you how much you’d win on your pooled NCAA basketball wagers based on the odds.
Teasers are bets that let you adjust the spread or totals in your favor. Most sportsbooks will let you move the spread by 4 to 6 points. These wagers are similar to parlays in the sense that all bets must hit in order for your ticket to pay.
Live Betting: Wagering After the Game Starts
In-play betting lets you bet on college basketball games while they’re unfolding in real time. Instead of simply betting on the game beforehand and yelling at the TV when the team you’re backing starts to falter, you can make your money back during the game by placing a wager on the ongoing action. You’ll probably still yell at the screen, but at least you can make some coin while doing it.
Sports Betting Tools and Handicapping Info for NCAAB Wagering
• Free Picks – Our Super Computer picks and predictions for any given college basketball game
• Futures Odds – Which squad is projected to win the championship?
• Consensus Data – Which side is the betting public heavily backing?
• Offensive and Defensive Stats
• Betting Trends – See how a team has fared in the past ATS, O/U
• Database – How a team performs historically as a favorite/underdog, on the road/at home etc.
• Standings – Including against the spread, home and away betting records
• March Madness – The ultimate online gambling extravaganza for college hoops
College Basketball Betting Sites FAQ
How do I bet on college basketball, specifically March Madness?
Odds Shark's college basketball betting experts have come up with a comprehensive betting tutorial for March Madness this year. In our expert guide you'll learn about the different types of bets you can make, how and where to make them, and some basic strategies for trying to profit when betting on the NCAAB Tournament.
What is a point spread in college basketball?
A point spread bet is a common betting method for college basketball and most major North American sports. A point spread for a game represents the expected point difference between two teams, that those teams must cover to win the bet. For example, a team favored by -7.5 points must win by eight or more points to cover and win the bet.
Can I bet legally online?
It is legal to bet on sports online, though some US states currently have restrictions on mobile gaming and sports betting within state borders. Odds Shark's experts have reviewed and compiled a list of the best college basketball betting sites above to help you determine what safe and legal wagering option is best for you.