How to Bet on NCAA Basketball Spreads

Betting against the spread when it comes to college basketball games is one of the most popular bets to make. Sportsbooks will set the point spreads based on the probability of a certain outcome occurring, and then it will be up to you to make your bets.

Here is an example of what a spread for NCAA Basketball looks like:

Gonzaga	+5.5	-110
North Carolina	-5.5	-110

NCAA Basketball Spread Example

The first thing to note is that the odds are the same for each team. A $110 bet will win you $100 if you choose the right team.

North Carolina are the favorites. Their score will be reduced by 5.5 points for the purposes of your bet being settled. They would therefore need to win the game by 6 points or more for your bet to win.

Gonzaga are the underdogs. Their score will be increased by 5.5 points before your bet is settled. Your bet can therefore win even if the team loses, as long as it loses by 5 points or less.

Sportsbooks often use a half-point to make a choice more difficult.

How to Bet on NCAA Basketball Over/Under

One of the most popular betting markets for college basketball is the Over/Under. An Over/Under bet is sometimes referred to as a total bet. That's because it deals with the total number of points scored by both teams in an NCAA Basketball game.

This is another extremely popular bet when it comes to NCAA Basketball games. Here is an example:

North Carolina Tarheels vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Over	221 Points	-110
Under	221 Points	-110

NCAA Basketball Over/Under Example

The odds are once again listed at -110, which is very standard for most sportsbooks.

Your task is to predict whether the combined score of the two teams will be Over or Under 221 points. If you believe the total will be 221 or more, you would bet Over. If you think that it will be 220 or less, you would bet Under.

Should your prediction prove to be accurate, your bet will win.

How to Bet on NCAA Basketball Moneyline

An NCAA Basketball moneyline bet is easy to understand, but it is not a commonly made bet. A moneyline bet requires you to pick the winner of a specific game, and the sportsbooks will set the lines for each team.

The payouts are usually quite different depending on which team you choose.

Gonzaga Bulldogs	+185
North Carolina Tarheels	-222

NCAA Basketball Moneyline Example

It would take a $222 bet on the North Carolina Tarheels to win $100, while a $100 bet on the Gonzaga Bulldogs will earn you $185. The payout is much better for the Bulldogs, but there is also a much smaller chance that they win, based on what the sportsbooks, in this case, UniBet, think.

How to Bet on NCAA Basketball Futures

The most common NCAA Basketball Futures bet involves predicting who will be the eventual National Champion. Online sportsbooks will set the odds for this future bet almost immediately after one season ends, and the odds will change as the season plays out.

If you plan on doing any futures betting at all, then the best time to place a bet is when there is great value in the odds. Although it isn't always the case, the earlier you make a future bet, the bigger the potential payout will be.

College basketball future bets can be hugely profitable if you land a winner, and that's one of the reasons why so many bettors gravitate towards them.