College basketball is a joint term for basketball leagues played by amateur university and college student teams in the US. Multiple associations govern the sport and college basketball clubs, which are organised into divisions. To begin with, here are the College basketball betting sites where you can place bets on your favourites.
Popularity of March Madness Betting
NCAA is one of the organisations that regulates college basketball leagues and clubs, alongside the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
The clubs are divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III. The culmination of the College basketball Division I season is the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, also known as March Madness.
March Madness is the opportunity for fans to cheer for their favourite university teams and potentially witness new stars in the making, making their way to the NBA draft in the future.
It also gives bettors many opportunities to bet on various basketball markets, starting with the famous bracket challenge that allows everyone to fill out the brackets and predict the outcomes of all matches and stages. While this is not only for betting purposes, it can also go in that direction.
March Madness games are very dynamic and full of surprises, so the odds can be very generous on underdogs who can pull off an upset and potentially bring some big wins.
College basketball is fun for bettors because it’s not professional basketball, like the NBA, so games carry a little less weight and bring plenty of excitement to the fans and bettors.
What Makes a Good College Basketball Betting Site?
Some aspects of good college basketball and March Madness betting sites are the ones we would typically expect from all quality betting sites. Of course, there is also a focus on areas specific to March Madness betting, and we will point them out when applicable.
Betting Bonuses and Promotions
The majority of good sports betting sites offer welcome bonuses to their new customers, typically in the form of a deposit match bonus. Speaking of college basketball betting sites, a plus would be a free bet, for example, that bettors can use for college basketball or NBA betting.
A good opportunity for creating event-specific bonuses is the March Madness tournament, which has many matches and betting opportunities for punters.
Betting Odds
This part is quite simple: the best college basketball betting sites will offer odds that are above the industry average. That allows for some slightly bigger wins and makes an even bigger difference over time.
This is the most important factor for most bettors, whatever sport or event they bet on, because, ultimately, every bettor is there for the wins.
Betting Markets
Basketball bettors already know their favourite betting markets, and we expect from college basketball betting sites to offer at least the most popular ones.
You should note that some prop bets might not be available for college basketball betting in certain US states, or for college sports in general, including betting on college football.
Security and Customer Support
The US sportsbooks have security measures in place to ensure bettors who sign up with them come from a state where online sports betting is legal, and that they are over the age of 21, which is the typical legal age limit for gambling.
Customer support should always be available for any questions or requests, and 24/7 live chat is always a desirable option.
Popular Markets for College Basketball Betting
The most popular markets to bet on when betting on college basketball are the ones you’d expect when betting on any basketball competition.
Moneyline
Probably the most popular betting market for college basketball and March Madness betting is the moneyline market. It allows you to predict the match winner, and when there is a clear favourite, then the odds are typically not very high.
However, if the opponents are close when it comes to the quality of the teams, the odds can be quite tempting. Before you bet on this market, make sure to check if the outcome includes the extra time or just the regular part of the match.
Totals
Betting on the total number of points to be scored in a match is another popular basketball market. It is also known as the over/under market because bettors predict whether the total number will be over or under the set threshold.
Point Spread Betting
Point spreads are used to level the ground a bit, especially when there is a clear favourite in the match. One team (typically the underdog) is given a head start, and the favourite needs to win by that same margin to win the point spread bet.
A point spread bet is essentially a handicap bet where you bet on the point margin by which a team will win or lose.
Major College Basketball Events
College basketball events take place throughout the year, with many of them played in the postseason. You can find these tournaments on college basketball betting sites, but not all markets will be available, as we have already mentioned that prop bets might not be available when betting on underage sports teams and players.
These are some of the most popular college basketball events for betting:
- NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament (March Madness): The event that marks the culmination of the NCAA basketball season and gives us the champion of the NCAA Division I league. The winner is found among the 68 participating teams.
- National Invitation Tournament (NIT): The NIT is a postseason showcase tournament, also played in March, typically by the teams that don’t participate in the March Madness. Another NIT tournament is the NIT Season Tip-Off that takes place in November.
- Conference Tournaments: Conference tournaments, as their collective name suggests, are specific to their conferences. Winners of these tournaments are direct participants in the March Madness tournament.
- Other Postseason Tournaments: Teams that wish to extend their season for various reasons participate in other postseason tournaments, such as the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) or the College Invitational Tournament (CIT).
History of March Madness
From 1939 to 1950, only eight teams participated in the tournament, often leaving many high-ranked teams excluded from the competition. That number doubled in the 1951 edition, with 16 teams now in the main draw.
Another expansion followed in 1953, and the number of participating teams varied from 22 to 25 in the next twenty years or so. In those first decades, the NCAA tournament and National Invitation Tournament (NIT) were almost equally popular.
That changed in the 1970s, and the NCAA became the major college basketball tournament. The final expansion to 68 teams happened in 2011, and there have been some subsequent format changes to come to the tournament we have today.
Is Betting on March Madness Legal in the US?
Betting on March Madness is legal in most states where sports betting is legal, but rules for betting on college sports are different from betting on regular sporting events. While some states forbid it entirely, others impose specific rules and limitations.
In most states where it’s legal to bet on college basketball, betting on college player props is not permitted, and in some states, bettors are prohibited from wagering on teams from their state.
On the other hand, there are states where there are no restrictions on March Madness betting, and those are Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana and North Carolina.
However, these regulations change frequently, and you should check the rules in your state before placing your bet on one of the college basketball betting sites.
College Basketball Betting Apps
Most bettors prefer using their phones when betting on competitions online, and it’s an even better experience when a sportsbook has its own app, as they often give bonuses and personalised offers through these apps.
If betting apps are an important part of your betting experience as well, make sure that the operator you choose provides a mobile app you can download and enjoy placing your bets on the go. Make sure to read other bettors’ reviews of college basketball betting sites and apps first to get a better idea of what to expect.
College Basketball Betting Awaits
You don’t have to wait for March Madness to bet on your favourite college basketball team, even though it is the biggest and most exciting part of the season. Come March, make sure to visit our website and get some attractive offers for betting on March Madness.
