• Spread In Basketball Betting Against
• Sports Spread Betting Explained

Understanding the different types of betting options is crucial when you’re getting a start as a first-time sports bettor.

The Point Spread: Betting the spread

Get the latest College Basketball odds, point spreads, money lines and over/unders for popular sportsbooks and view SportsLine's expert analysis of each upcoming game. The point spread is the great equalizer, giving every team an equal chance to cash a bet for you. It’s impossible to separate sports betting in America and the point spread. They will forever be linked. Point spreads are most commonly associated with higher-scoring sports like basketball and football, but can be used in any sport.

For those new to sports betting, the point spread is the simplest, most straightforward approach to placing wagers.

Sports books set a predetermined margin of points on a game and a team must win – or not lose – by that set number. That’s why you’ll often hear people say the team won, but they “didn’t cover the spread” so their bet still came up short.

It’s not a matter of a team winning or losing like in a moneyline bet.

For a favorite: The favorite must win by more than the point spread.For an underdog: The underdog must outright win OR lose by fewer than the point spread.

Sports books aren’t in the business of predicting who will win or lose games. Their goal is setting a pre-game point spread with the intention to generate an equal amount of betting action/volume on both sides of the ledger – as much total money being bet on the favorite as on the underdog.

The vast majority of point spread wagers are made on football and basketball because of the proliferation of points that are scored in comparison to sports like baseball and hockey, where 1-0 or 2-1 games aren’t that out of the question or out of the norm. There’s one every night.

For example, the New England Patriots are playing the New York Jets and New England is a 9½-point favorite. Bettors typically have to spend $110 or so to win $100 with sports books, known as “the house edge/advantage.” With a point spread bet, simply having a team win the game isn’t the key. The critical factor to betting a point spread is how much a team wins or loses by. If a wager is placed on New England – “laying” the 9½ points – the Patriots need to win the game by 10 or more points for that bet to pay off. If New England wins 28-20, those betting on the Jets plus 9½ points (points added to their final total) win the bet.

The same general rules apply for basketball and are quite easy to follow because of the inherent simplicity of the bet. When it comes to betting sports like baseball and hockey, the standard bets are made on the “money line” – an established number for both teams to win the game outright.

What makes point spread bets attractive are the fluid nature of each game – it’s a reality show that, when done right, is inexplicable. Games change on one play and momentum is a thing. But, when it comes to point spread betting, you know where you stand at every moment.

For those just starting out, the simplest form of gambling is betting the spread because it’s the easiest to explain and understand, which explains why it is the most popular form of sports wagering.

The best free college basketball picks as well as parlays for all of today's games. All of our expert NCAA basketball predictions are against the spread. (ATS) This page will be updated several times though out the day so please bookmark this page and check back daily.

San Jose State Spartans vs San Diego State Aztecs Prediction, 2/8/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 2/7/2021

The San Jose State Spartans are set to meet the San Diego State Aztecs at Viejas Arena on Monday, February 8, 2021. San Jose State opens this contest as 26-point dogs. The O/U is set at 145.5. This games report has current odds, betting trends, and free picks against the spread.

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Kansas Jayhawks Prediction, 2/8/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Tony Sink - 2/7/2021

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are set to take on the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, February 8, 2021. Kansas opens this game as 5-point favorites. The total is set at 140. This matchup report includes odds, betting trends and a free pick against the spread.

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction, 2/8/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 2/7/2021

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are set to go head to head with the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena on Monday, February 8, 2021. The line on this matchup has Minnesota as 11.5-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 148. This matchup report has Vegas lines and an expert NCAA basketball pick for your daily winner.

Oregon State Beavers vs Colorado Buffaloes Prediction, 2/8/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 2/7/2021

The Oregon State Beavers are on the docket to meet the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center on Monday, February 8, 2021. Oregon State opens this game as 12-point underdogs. The total is set at 136.5. This report includes betting odds and our expert college basketball picks for todays game.

Air Force Falcons vs UNLV Runnin' Rebels Prediction, 2/8/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Tony Sink - 2/7/2021

The Air Force Falcons are on the docket to go head to head with the UNLV Runnin' Rebels at Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, February 8, 2021. The spread on this game has UNLV as 13-point favorites. The total opens at 130. This Matchup report includes Vegas odds and a free basketball pick for tonight.

Miami Hurricanes vs North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction, 2/8/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 2/7/2021

The Miami Hurricanes are scheduled to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean E. Smith Center on Monday, February 8, 2021. North Carolina opens this contest as 10-point favorites. The O/U is set at 141. This matchup report includes betting lines and our pick of the day for this game.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Maryland Terrapins Prediction, 2/8/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Tony Sink - 2/7/2021

The Ohio State Buckeyes are on the docket to take on the Maryland Terrapins at XFINITY Center on Monday, February 8, 2021. Maryland opens this matchup as 4-point dogs. The total has been set at 138. This report has odds and your college basketball predictions for todays game against the spread.

SMU Mustangs vs East Carolina Pirates Prediction, 2/8/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Parlay's Pundit - 2/7/2021

The SMU Mustangs are on the docket to take on the East Carolina Pirates at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Monday, February 8, 2021. The spread on this matchup has SMU as 5.5-point favorites. The total is set at 140. We have included an expert college basketball pick and parlay for todays game ATS.

Gonzaga Bulldogs vs BYU Cougars Prediction, 2/8/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Parlay's Pundit - 2/7/2021

Spread In Basketball Betting Against

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are scheduled to go head to head with the BYU Cougars at Marriott Center on Monday, February 8, 2021. BYU opens this matchup as 11.5-point underdogs. The total opens at 157. We have included an expert pick and parlay for todays game against the spread.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Indiana Hoosiers Prediction, 2/7/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Tony Sink - 2/6/2021

The Iowa Hawkeyes are on the docket to go head to head with the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Sunday, February 7, 2021. Iowa opens this game as 2.5-point favorites. The over/under opens at 153. This matchup report includes odds, betting trends and a free pick against the spread.

Boise State Broncos vs Nevada Wolf Pack Prediction, 2/7/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Tony Sink - 2/6/2021

The Boise State Broncos are on the docket to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack at Lawlor Events Center on Sunday, February 7, 2021. Nevada opens this matchup as 3-point dogs. The total has been set at 144.5. This Matchup report includes Vegas odds and a free basketball pick for tonight.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs Tulane Green Wave Prediction, 2/7/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 2/6/2021

The Cincinnati Bearcats are on the docket to take on the Tulane Green Wave at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse on Sunday, February 7, 2021. Cincinnati opens this matchup as 5.5-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 135. This report includes betting odds and our expert college basketball picks for todays game.

Temple Owls vs Wichita State Shockers Prediction, 2/7/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 2/6/2021

The Temple Owls are on the docket to play the Wichita State Shockers at Charles Koch Arena on Sunday, February 7, 2021. The line on this contest has Wichita State as 8-point favorites. The O/U opens at 138.5. This matchup report includes betting lines and our pick of the day for this game.

Georgetown Hoyas vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction, 2/7/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Parlay's Pundit - 2/6/2021

The Georgetown Hoyas are on the docket to go head to head with the Villanova Wildcats at Finneran Pavilion on Sunday, February 7, 2021. The spread on this contest has Villanova as 13-point favorites. The O/U is set at 141.5. We have included an expert pick and parlay for todays game against the spread.

California Golden Bears vs Stanford Cardinal Prediction, 2/7/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 2/6/2021

The California Golden Bears are scheduled to go head to head with the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion on Sunday, February 7, 2021. The spread on this matchup has Stanford as 11.5-point favorites. The over/under opens at 132.5. This games report has current odds, betting trends, and free picks against the spread.

Creighton Bluejays vs Marquette Golden Eagles Prediction, 2/6/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Parlay's Pundit - 2/5/2021

The Creighton Bluejays are scheduled to meet the Marquette Golden Eagles at Fiserv Forum on Saturday, February 6, 2021. The line on this game has Creighton as 5-point favorites. The O/U is set at 147. We have included an expert college basketball pick and parlay for todays game ATS.

Sports Spread Betting Explained

Iowa State Cyclones vs Oklahoma Sooners Prediction, 2/6/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Parlay's Pundit - 2/5/2021

The Iowa State Cyclones are on the docket to take on the Oklahoma Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Oklahoma opens this game as 14.5-point favorites. The total opens at 141. We have included an expert college basketball pick and parlay for todays game ATS.

UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans Prediction, 2/6/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Tony Sink - 2/5/2021

The UCLA Bruins are on the docket to play the USC Trojans at Galen Center on Saturday, February 6, 2021. USC opens this game as 3.5-point favorites. The total is set at 135. This report has odds and your college basketball predictions for todays game against the spread.

Arizona Wildcats vs Colorado Buffaloes Prediction, 2/6/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 2/5/2021

The Arizona Wildcats are scheduled to meet the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center on Saturday, February 6, 2021. The line on this contest has Colorado as 5-point favorites. The O/U opens at 143. This games report has current odds, betting trends, and free picks against the spread.

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Michigan State Spartans Prediction, 2/6/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 2/5/2021

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are scheduled to go head to head with the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Michigan State opens this contest as 10-point favorites. The over/under opens at 144.5. This matchup report includes betting lines and our pick of the day for this game.

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Please note that the college basketball picks above for tonights games are not computer based predictions. All of these articles are written by our talented staff. If you have any comments or suggestions please email service@docsports.com

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