In recent times, a growing number of sportsbooks have begun to offer options for betting on college basketball totals. Many seasoned bettors argue that predicting college basketball totals can often be simpler than determining the point spread winner. Functionally, college basketball totals betting mirrors the methodology applied in football or NBA betting, where the standard risk is $11 to win $10.
Interestingly, the limited number of sportsbooks allowing bets on college basketball totals, coupled with their imposition of small betting limits, is a subtle hint for astute bettors. It suggests that there may be a profitable edge to be found here, as typically, the tougher a sport is to prognosticate, the higher the allowed wagers.
Seasoned bettors often look up to experts like Edward Golden, the proprietor of Right Angle Sports. Golden is renowned as a maestro in college basketball totals handicapping. It’s a known phenomenon that when totals from Right Angle Sports are released, the betting line tends to shift by three to four points.
Golden emphasizes the importance of focusing on the lesser-known conferences, which often don’t garner as much attention as the major leagues. Additionally, he suggests that bettors consider leagues in geographical proximity, positing that someone living in the East might possess deeper insights into the MAAC than, say, the Big Sky Conference.
Essential Strategies for College Totals Bettors:
- Game Analysis: Aim to watch as many games as possible to understand the dynamics behind the final scores. Recognizing a team’s ability to handle defensive pressure or its weakness against a zone defense can be game-changing when betting.
- Contextual Field Goals: While field goals and percentages are informative, understanding the context is crucial. For instance, a team’s high-scoring average in the season’s early phases, attributed to playing against running teams, might suggest a potential ‘under’ bet when they clash with a defensively strong team.
- 3-Point Play: Consider the implications of three-point percentages, both for and against. Games that lean towards an ‘under’ outcome can surpass the total if a team successfully lands multiple long-range shots towards the end. Conversely, games may fall ‘under’ if a poor 3-point shooting team struggles in the final moments.
- Range Variances: While most college basketball totals fall within the 130-150 range, it’s not uncommon to encounter numbers as low as 110 or as high as 170. Trust your handicapping and don’t hesitate to bet ‘under’ on low totals or ‘over’ on high ones if it aligns with your predictions.
- Line Movements: Monitor line shifts throughout the day, especially in games that aren’t nationally televised. While line movements in high-profile games can be attributed to public sentiment, changes in games between lesser-known teams might indicate sharp bettors placing their bets.
- Best Line Practices: One of the most crucial aspects of betting on college basketball totals is securing the best line. Given the smaller betting limits on college games, sportsbooks are agile in adjusting lines. Taking the effort to place your bet at the most favorable line often translates to a few additional wins by season’s end.
In conclusion, while betting on college basketball totals presents its own set of challenges, with diligent research, observation, and strategic play, it can be both an enjoyable and profitable endeavor.