Our recommended college basketball sites have everything a sports fan could possibly want, including the best betting bonuses, quick and easy banking methods and in-play wagering opportunities. But just how does college basketball work, and what are some of the markets you should look out for? This page should answer all your questions, so settle in and let us talk you through everything you need to know about placing college basketball bets online.
How We Review an College Basketball Betting Site
We spend a lot of time reviewing online college sports betting sites, so we know which features make a great sportsbook. Here’s what to expect from top college basketball betting sites.
- Licensed and regulated – There’s no way around it: college betting sites must hold a license from the relevant state gaming authority. As far as we’re concerned, this is non-negotiable.
- Competitive odds – The best sites give bettors the best prices for their bets. That’s why we give extra credit to sportsbooks that offer competitive odds so you don’t have to worry about missing out.
- Variety of betting markets – Bettors want different ways to wager on basketball, and top college betting sites rise to the challenge with the choice of basketball markets. Not only this but offering a range of sports is important for during the off season or just when you fancy a change.
- Easy deposits and withdrawals – Banking should be a breeze at online sportsbooks. The best sites offer a range of safe options for depositing and/or withdrawing your funds, including debit and credit cards, PayPal, and prepaid Play+ cards.
- Fast payouts – Bettors rarely enjoy waiting around to receive their winnings. Accordingly, top college betting sites are quick to approve and process withdrawal requests.
- Loyalty programs – Sportsbook loyalty programs are a great perk, letting players rack up points as they make real money bets. These can then be redeemed for bonuses and even earn you faster withdrawals and other features at some sites.
- Bonuses and promotions – Top sportsbooks add value with free bets and deposit match bonuses for newbies, not to mention ongoing promotions like parlay insurance and odds boosts for regulars.
- Additional features – Leading college betting sites don’t stop at the basics. Top sites often have sought-after features like parlay builders, cash out options, and live betting.
Types of College Basketball Bets
Types of College Basketball Bets
The best college basketball betting sites offer plenty of ways to wager, which is understandable given the sport’s popularity with bettors – especially during peak periods such as March Madness. Here are some of the popular markets to put money on.
Moneylines
College basketball games never end in a tie, making it the perfect sport for moneyline bets. All you have to do is back a team to win. For example, you might bet that the Virginia Tech Hokies will beat the Pittsburgh Panthers in their Atlantic Coast Conference clash.
Point Spreads
This market levels things up between teams with a clear gulf in strength. The favorites are given a points handicap to overcome, or you can bet on the underdogs to either win outright or lose within an allowable deficit. Point spreads can be particularly interesting during March Madness when top-seeded teams take on ostensibly weaker opponents who could cause an upset.
Let’s look at an example:
New Mexico State Aggies (+6) +100
UConn Huskies (-6) +100
Here you could get evens on the UConn Huskies to beat New Mexico State Aggies by at least 6 points. Alternatively, back New Mexico and hope they lose by less than 6 points.
Totals
Also known as over/under bets, these markets are all about predicting certain statistics – most notably, the overall points tally in a game. So, for a game between the Furman Paladins and Mississippi State Bulldogs, you might be able to bet whether the total tally will be over or under 137.5, say. This market is a great alternative if you’re struggling to find a winner but have a feeling that it will be a low or high scoring game.
Futures
Futures markets test your ability to predict outcomes far off in the distance. For example, you might put money on which teams you think will top their conference leaderboards, or even who’ll be crowned NCAAB champions at the end of March Madness.
Prop Bets
Proposition bets aren’t related to the game’s final score, but rather with specific details and statistics. So, you might bet on how many hoops the Maine Black Bears will land in the first half, or – if betting in-play – whether the Oregon Ducks will be the next to score during the game. There is a lot of depth to prop bet markets, but as the details you are predicting are more specific, there is a greater chance that you could lose.
Parlays
College basketball parlays see you put multiple wagers on the same betting slip. For example, you might bundle together a moneyline bet, a point spread bet, and an over/under bet bet. These become known as ‘legs’, and if they all come good, the combined odds will result in a sizable profit. But if just one leg loses, you lose the entire bet. Most betting sites offer multi-game parlays, but some also offer same game parlays.
Teasers
These are similar to parlays, but with point spreads applied to enhance your likelihood of winning. In other words, it’s a lower risk twist on parlay betting. It’s very common to include two teams in a teaser – for example, you could bet on the Kentucky Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels to win their respective games, adjusting the spread four points in your favor.
Live Betting
The start of the game doesn’t necessarily mean your basketball betting opportunities have ended. Depending on your state, you may well be able to place wagers on events as they unfold, potentially capitalizing on more lucrative odds as they’re made available. For example, if a favorite starts to falter, the odds of them winning may lengthen mid-game, giving you a better return if they do bounce back and win.
Is Betting Legal in your State?
Sports Betting by State
Click on your state in the map below to see whether it’s possible for you to bet on college basketball.
