The Friday night college basketball card has fewer games the usual as schools get primed for the big weekend slate highlighted by a packed Saturday schedule. Friday night finds a handful of games from small conferences with a few bigger names schools for the TV schedule. But there are still plenty of sides, totals, and Moneylines available to help bettors pad their pockets for the weekend. So how does a handicapper assess a smaller card? By going small.
Why Use Friday Free College Basketball Picks
By going small I'm referring to two things. One is fewer games, so it's a good idea to limit your betting choices to a smaller amount than usual. You still do the handicapping homework the same way by analyzing information, assessing computer matchups, and seeing if there's enough variance in the betting odds to make it worthy of a play. The other is to take a close look at those small NCAA college basketball programs. Many are from small conferences you haven't paid much attention to, such as the Ivy League or the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC). Some schools you might not have known that they even had a basketball program. But oddsmakers put numbers on those teams the same way they evaluate the most popular teams in the nation. And that means handicappers can find the same kind of wagering advantages.
Betting Value in Friday Free College Basketball Picks
Even with a limited number of games available it's possible to identify wagering value. Small conference schools generally receive less interest from fans and bettors. This opens up excellent avenues for savvy handicappers to focus on an undervalued under-the-radar team, or a total that's not receiving much betting action but is off by 3 or more points. In addition, parlay opportunities can be exploited, such as a pair of undervalued favorites put together on one ticket for a higher payout. Little-known conferences may have small enrollment and a tiny fan base, but wagering opportunities can be the biggest on the betting board.
Wunderdog Friday Free College Basketball Picks
With a math background, I recognize when the oddsmakers have put up incorrect mathematical calculations with betting lines. I also utilize a detailed database alongside the expertise on college basketball situational handicapping factors such as road trips, let-down spots, and emotional situations. It takes years of study but mastering the world of sports betting is very possible. I've been doing so for over two decades and you can tap into that insight with my Friday free basketball picks if you want to improve your handicapping prowess.
Friday Free College Basketball Picks vs. Premium Picks
Friday Free CBB Picks Pros:
• Check if your top plays align with who the pros are on • Opens your eyes to new wagering insight and angles • Money management advice: Don't wreck your Friday bankroll on a few plays with a big Saturday on deck
Friday Free CBB Picks Cons:
• Line movement can be confusing and even shift significantly from the proposed pick • limit parlays to two teams and only when instructed by the professional service • An overreliance on wagering trends or a lack of insight into why these are the best plays
Premium Friday CBB Picks Pros:
• Getting the same plays the professional bettors are backing • High-quality picks should come with a college basketball money management wagering strategy • The best picks should have detailed reasoning with multiple angles explained
Premium Friday CBB Picks Cons:
• Excessive cost to not only pay for but then wager on • Too many picks can mean too much bankroll risk and losses • Annoying calls, texts, and offers of even more plays from salesmen
How To Win With Friday Free College Basketball Picks
Friday is a great night for betting discipline while getting ready for the big college hoops weekend. Discipline because, with fewer games on the card, it's essential to go through the same handicapping mechanics as every other day while still practicing betting discipline and money management. You don't want to go 2-10 on Friday with only 16 games on the card, for example. That's probably too many forced or moderate plays with emotion and greed pushing aside a long-term focus. Do the homework, identify the best variance with the odds, and back plays with confidence. And if you're not certain, don't be afraid to pass. Money not lost by passing is money gained on your weekly bankroll.
Friday Free College Basketball Picks Betting Strategy
Small Conferences
Small conference Friday night games can mean a lot to the home teams. They're often important conference games, rivalries, or step-up games. That's the emotional part of betting on NCAA college basketball that is so essential - and sometimes overlooked by oddsmakers. During one recent season, St. Bonaventure and VCU ended up as two of the top four teams in the Atlantic 10. The two played a Friday night battle and St. Bonnies was a 2.5-point favorite at home but won and covered easily in a 73-53 blowout. It was a key conference showdown and the home team rolled. And when they met for the rematch later in the season, VCU won on its home court in a 74-51 payback blowout.
Home Court Splits
Many college basketball teams play very well at home but wilt on the road. It's almost as if they're two different teams. Be careful of road favorites - make sure they deserve to be and make sure they play well enough on the road to be worthy of being road chalk. The reverse is true, as well. If a great team is a road dog they could be undervalued. Davidson had a recent dominant campaign in the A-10 going 12-3 straight up at home, but also 9-3 on the road. In one Friday night battle, the Wildcats were a rare underdog at Richmond, the No. 6 team in the conference. Richmond played well at home, but first-place Davidson won the game, 87-84, shooting 53.6% from the field while nailing 13-of27 3-pointers (48.1%). That season, Davidson had a winning spread record both home and away.
Line Movement on the Little Guys
With a limited amount of college basketball action on a Friday night, there is often line movement on the few marquee TV games on the card. Pay less attention to this. With only one or two TV games, a lot of casual bettors across the country will be looking for action simply because they'll be watching. It's line movement on the little guys that should catch your Friday night attention. There will be a slew of small schools from conferences that have a regional more than a national following. But when there's significant line movement on the little guys, it's a sign a few big players have zeroed on a super-soft number. And those big players not only know more than the average player, but they also wager bigger money. It's worth circling that game and taking a closer look to see if the Wise Guys are on to something. And that applies to totals even more, which is an area the pros often hit with big money which will move a college total significantly.
Friday Free College Basketball Picks Subscription
Improving your handicapping skills is an ongoing process. You can do it and get better the more you invest the time. I've been down that road and have accumulated the expertise necessary to identify the softest odds and play each game with confidence. I'm constantly examining a slew of essential factors on the court and at the betting window, assessing sides, totals, props, and Moneylines. If the wagering value isn't on the side, I'll pass and move on to the total and other numbers the oddsmakers are posting. You can jump on board to improve your handicapping knowledge with my Friday Free College Basketball Picks on a subscription service. Play alongside an established pro, read the analysis, or just make notes to learn the craft of handicapping at your own pace. The betting numbers will always be present. It's the job of the oddsmakers to post - and it's my job to find the weakest lines and the best money-making opportunities!