NBA and College Basketball: Betting differences between Them

With basketball season now almost upon us, many of you are almost certainly starting to think about wagering on the upcoming games. Some bettors will stick to either the NBA or college basketball, but there are plenty or who want to wager on both. If you are considering betting on both, you need to be aware of the differences, which is why we are going to talk about the ins and outs of wagering on the NBA vs college basketball. Let’s get into it now so that you are ready to wager on both when the season begins.

College Basketball vs NBA Fundamentals

There are some very basic differences between the two sports that have to be understood before wagering on the NBA or college basketball, all of which can impact on the odds and how you wager. NBA games clock in at 48 minutes long, while college basketball games run for 40 minutes. The shot clock is 6 seconds longer in the college game. Given those two differences, it makes sense that you get higher scoring games in the NBA. On the flipside, with so many teams playing college ball you also get more mismatches in college basketball, which is seen in the point spreads for some games.

NBA vs College Basketball Betting Markets

While the types of wagers you can make are the same, you will see odds differences in NBA vs college basketball betting. For example, the average NBA game might have a total over 200 points on the bookies board, while a college basketball game on the same day could be sitting at O/U 135 points. If you don’t know the differences between the two sports, you might think that one or the other is over or undervalued, when they are not.

Game Pace and Scoring Differences

We cannot stress enough the importance of this factor in college basketball Vs NBA. The speed and flow of the game is very different, which has an impact on scoring overall.

Season Structure and Schedule Impact

There are way more regular season games in the NBA than in the college games, so a higher risk of injury and fatigue for the pros, which can mean that key players might be sitting out for stretches of time. Keep that in mind when looking at the odds.

NBA vs College Basketball Betting Strategies

In the NBA, there is an astonishing amount of data available for every team and every matchup. Making life a little easier for bettors. The same cannot be said about the college game, especially in a matchup between smaller schools. Perhaps skip the games where the data you need just isn’t there.

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Player and Team Analysis Differences

In the NBA, you certainly have players that are better than others, but for the most part, these are all highly skilled guys. There is a much bigger talent gap in college basketball, both at the player and team level, which is why you get much bigger mismatches in the college game.

NBA or College Basketball Betting Advantages

In terms of NBA or college basketball betting, I would suggest that outcomes are a little more predictable in the pros. That is not to say that you can accurately predict every single game, as upsets do happen, but it has more to do with the amount of data at your disposal. The odds tend to be a little better, too, as you often get big spreads in college games, which might require you to search for value in the underdogs.

Value Betting Opportunities Comparison

Given there are fewer mismatches in the NBA when compared to the college game, the moneyline odds are where you can often find value, whereas spread and total bets are perhaps offering a little more value, check how often teams cover those big spreads, as you might find a few who tend to rest their key guys in the late stages of a blowout game, allowing the underdog to do enough to cover.

Bankroll Management Considerations

As we have said multiple times, the NBA and college basketball are very different beasts, which could mean you are more proficient at wagering on one versus the other. We are not saying you shouldn’t bet on both, but you should go smaller on the sport you don’t feel quite as confident in.

Research and Information Resources

When you have 30 teams in one league compared to 130 in the other, it stands to reason that you are going to have an easier time researching the smaller league, which is, of course, the NBA. Perhaps you might consider focusing on a single conference in the college game, or looking at teams in the top 25, as much more data is available for them.

Which Basketball Level to Bet On?

Okay, you should now have a good handle on the differences in NBA vs college basketball, so which way should you go for betting There is no right or wrong answer here, as it is all about finding value odds and managing your bankroll, although we would suggest that if you are going to play both sports, be sure to spend your money wisely based on your confidence level in each.