Point spreads have a second set of odds alongside them, indicating the cost of placing the bet, also known as the vig or the juice. The Spartans would need to win by more than 2.5 points to cover their spread, while the Bulldogs need to lose by fewer than 2.5 points or win the game outright to cover their spread. In the example below, the Spartans are the point spread favorites at -2.5 versus the Bulldogs at +2.5. Underdogs have positive values for their spreads and can either win outright or lose by less than that spread for the bets to win. Point spread favorites have negative values assigned to them, and they must win the game by more than the spread for the bet to win. Oddsmakers analyze both teams in a matchup and consider their strengths, weaknesses, and other factors such as injuries and create a point spread for the game.

Many college basketball bettors look for point spreads because they level the difference in skill between the two teams, which can be pretty extreme in the NCAA. Point spread: Evening the odds between two teams On the flip side, betting $100 on the underdog Michigan Wolverines at +125 would result in a $125 net return.

In the example below, oddsmakers favor the Michigan State Spartans on the moneyline at -145, meaning you would have to wager $145 to win $100. You can use our odds converter and moneyline calculator to see a team’s implied probability based on their odds. American odds show one team set as the favorite (indicated by a negative value) and one team designated as the underdog (positive value). Sportsbooks most often display moneyline odds in hundreds (American odds). The moneyline odds will reflect those chances of victory. NCAA basketball teams are not always evenly matched, and some schools will be far superior to others. Oddsmakers create moneyline odds for games based on each team’s implied probability of winning.

The moneyline is a basic betting market in college basketball that allows bettors to decide which team they think will win the game outright. Moneylines: Pick the winner of an NCAA basketball game Bettors wager on whether the final score will go Over or Under that expected tally. College basketball Over/Under totals are the estimated total number of points scored by both teams in a game.

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