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NCAA basketball betting guide for 2024

The number of athletes who compete every year in top-level sport organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association is about half a million.

College basketball is one of the most exciting sports to bet on, packed full of drama, excitement and emotion. Being hugely popular in the US and Canada, you'll also find a whole array of online NCCAA betting opportunities.

Read on to find out how betting on NCAA basketball works, the different types of wagers and how to get into live betting on NCAA basketball.

Top NCAA basketball betting sites in Canada

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Canada’s top sportsbook
1
4.5 /5
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4.3 /5
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4.2 /5
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4.0 /5
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3.8 /5
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3.9 /5
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3.9 /5
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See our 100+ reviews

An introduction to NCAA basketball

Basketball supporters who enjoy top-quality of play have a host of games to spark their interest each year.

  • NCAA Basketball - Fact 1

    NCAA basketball features 353 schools playing in 32 Division I conferences

  • NCAA Basketball - Fact 2

    There are also 24 Division II basketball conferences, with nearly 50 further conferences in Division III

  • NCAA Basketball - Fact 3

    Unlike the NBA, where matches have four quarters, NCAA games are divided into two halves of 20 minutes

  • NCAA Basketball - Fact 4

    The champion of each Division I conference qualifies for an annual tournament

  • NCAA Basketball - Fact 5

    They are joined by 36 selected teams

  • NCAA Basketball - Fact 6

    These 68 then compete in a single-elimination tournament, known as March Madness

  • NCAA Basketball - Fact 7

    It takes place over three weeks, with the Final Four usually played on the first weekend in April

How NCAA basketball odds work

Betting on NCAA basketball mirrors the way wagering takes place on the NBA and other head-to-head sports. This is a simple guide to how the odds work.

Take the example of a game between Duke and MI State. The odds, expressed as decimals, may read:

Duke
Duke
1.8
MI State
MI State
2.1

If you stake C$10 on Duke, the favourite, you get back C$18. If you put C$10 on Washington, the underdogs, your return is C$21.

You might see odds in other formats, such as fractional and moneyline (also known as American) odds.

However, most sportsbooks let you swap between systems to let you choose how you view prices. Try out our Odds Calculator to see how they compare.

NCAA basketball betting options

Game bets
  • The point spread

    The point spread

    Also known as handicap betting or simply the 'spread', this is the number set by sportsbooks to get punters to wager on both the underdog and the favourite.

    In this example, the underdog, represented by a plus sign, can lose by six points or win to cover the spread, while the favourite (shown with a minus sign), must win by at least six points.

    Eg:
    Michigan
    State
    -5.5
    1.90
    Michigan State -5.5
    Texas
    Tech
    +5.5
    1.90
    Texas Tech +5.5
  • The moneyline

    The moneyline

    One of the most popular types of bets due to the fact that it's so straightforward, this is simply betting on which team you think will win the game.

    Eg:
    Liberty
    1.70
    Liberty
    Auburn
    2.25
    Auburn
  • Total points - over or under

    Total points - over or under

    This is the number set by sportsbooks estimating what they think will be the final score of both teams combined. If you predict it'll be higher than the number set by the sportsbook, then you should go for the overs, while if you think it'll be lower, you should opt for the under.

    Eg:
    Over
    140.5
    1.90
    Under
    140.5
    1.90
  • Quarter bets

    Quarter bets

    As the name suggests, this bet is simply determining which side you think will score more points in the first quarter.

    Eg:
    Utah
    State
    1.75
    Utah State
    New Mexico
    State
    2.15
    New Mexico State
  • Prop bets

    Prop bets

    Prop bets, or proposition bets, are novel bets you can make on special events that do not relate to the overall outcome of the game. College basketball props examples could be betting on which player will score the most points, which team will get the most rebounds, or which team will score first.

    Eg:
    Mamadi Diakite to score
    the first points
    3.2
    Mamadi Diakite
Season bets
  • To win the Conference

    To win the Conference

    You may have a strong hunch that one team is sure to win its conference. You can wager on this well in advance.

    Eg:
    To win ACC:
    Duke
    5.0
    Duke
  • To reach the latter stages

    To reach the latter stages

    This bet is for you if you reckon your selection can go deep in the tournament. Semi-finalists are called the Sweet Sixteen, finalists the Elite Eight.

    Eg:
    To reach the Elite Eight:
    Yale
    26.0
    Yale
  • To win the NCAA National Championship

    To win the NCAA National Championship

    Perhaps you have a very strong fancy for the overall winner of March Madness. The earlier you put money on it, the better the odds should be.

    Eg:
    To win March Madness:
    North Carolina
    41.0
    North Carolina

Live betting on NCAA basketball

  • Nowadays you can place bets on games that are in-play
  • Odds will fluctuate depending on how the game unfolds
  • You can bet on various different markets, such as who will win the next quarter or even the overall outcome of the game
  • Bettors enjoy trying to outsmart sportsbooks as the game goes on
Live betting

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Brief NCAA basketball timeline

Basketball is invented at Springfield College, Massachusetts

1891

The NCAA, established four years earlier, takes its new name

1906

The first NCAA national championship, in track and field, is held

1921

Oregon wins the first NCAA national basketball championship

1939

The all-black Texas Western basketball team face an all-white Kentucky line-up – a landmark in the civil rights movement

1966

Members are divided into three divisions – I, II and III

1973

UCLA wins the basketball title for the 10th time in 12 years

1975

Mike Krzyzewski takes over as head coach as Duke, where he wins five national titles

1980

Christian Laettner completes his record haul of 407 points from 23 NCAA tournament games

1992

The NCAA moves to its current HQ in Indianapolis – it now awards 90 national championships each year

1997

For the first time, a total of 68 teams take part in March Madness

2011

UMBC springs the biggest shock in the event's history by beating top seed Virginia 75-54.

2018

Recent NCAA men's basketball champions

  • 2022
    Kansas
    Kansas
  • 2021
    Texas
    Texas
  • 2019
    Virginia
    Virginia
  • 2018
    Villanova
    Villanova
  • 2017
    North Carolina
    North
    Carolina
  • 2016
    Villanova
    Villanova
  • 2015
    Duke
    Duke
  • 2014
    Connecticut
    Connecticut
  • 2013
    Louisville
    Louisville
  • 2012
    Kentucky
    Kentucky

FAQs

Basketball Icon What is the NCAA?

The organization that has overall responsibility for collegiate sports in the United States. Basketball is one of the most popular sports it administers.

Star Icon What are some of the most popular NCCA basketball bets?

The point spread is a perennial favourite with NCAA basketball fans. The spread is set by the sportsbook and you must determine which side will win or lose by more than that margin.

FAQ Site Icon What are the best NCAA basketball betting sites?

Our online betting guide tells you all the areas you need to know about when choosing a site. These include important considerations such as security, licensing, range of bets and bonuses.

All of your recommended online casinos, shown further up this page, score highly on all the above.

Mobile Icon Can I bet on NCAA basketball on mobile?

You certainly can. Nearly all sportsbooks now boast user-friendly apps that allow you to bet on your device.

Live Icon What is NCAA basketball live betting?

Once the game gets under way, sportsbooks will offer you the ability to wager on the live action, as well as the overall result.

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