Sports betting is now legal in Illinois. Whether you’re a fan of college basketball with its March Madness or numerous NBA games, there are ample opportunities for you to place your bets if you love basketball.

On the surface, the two sports may appear identical. But a more in-depth look unveils unique subtleties of each that should be considered before placing bets. Let’s start by examining the similarities between the amateur and professional versions of the game.

Similarities between college basketball and NBA betting

The primary factors that influence NBA and NCAA basketball betting are identical. The main draws for both are moneyline, point spread, and totals bets, which function in the same way. However, you might observe that the odds and lines can vary significantly. We’ll examine this in more detail soon. For the moment, it’s worth noting that NBA matches are usually high-scoring.

All the basics, including the types of bets, remain the same in this fast-paced five-on-five game. Both teams will encounter numerous fouls and three-pointers.

Key differences between NCAA basketball vs. NBA betting

In college basketball matchups, the talent gap may frequently be much larger compared to NBA games. During the regular season, powerhouse programs may compete against smaller schools, possibly leading to significant mismatches on paper.

There are clear talent differences between the top and bottom teams in the NBA. However, all teams are professional and unpredicted wins can occur at any moment. It’s important to remember that while college basketball games have two halves, NBA games are divided into four quarters.

How does the college basketball schedule work?

The NCAA regular season usually kicks off in November. The initial two months consist of several mini tournaments and interconference games. When the calendar rolls past New Year’s, conference play becomes dominant.

Over 350 schools are distributed among 32 conferences, leading to a multitude of regular-season games. While there are many instances where stronger schools face weaker opponents, there is also a balanced blend of competitive matches. Throughout January and February, conference rankings become clearer, although some interconference matches are interspersed.

Once the regular season ends, conference tournaments are held with an additional reward for the victor. The team that wins the tournament automatically qualifies for March Madness, one of the most popular betting events of the year.

An additional 36 clubs are granted at-large berths, bringing the total to 68 teams. The tournament kicks off with the First Four, essentially a preliminary round where the four victorious teams move forward. The tournament then proceeds with 64 teams, evenly distributed among four brackets.

This is a single-elimination format where winners progress to the next stage. The penultimate stage is referred to as the Final Four, which is then followed by the national championship game. While betting activity is pretty robust for top games during the regular season, it escalates dramatically during March Madness betting. As such, acquiring the skill to accurately forecast March Madness upsets can be quite beneficial.

How does the NBA schedule work?

The National Basketball Association (NBA) consists of 30 teams divided into two conferences: the Eastern and Western. Each conference is further divided into three divisions. The regular season usually starts in early November and concludes in April.

The highlights include the yearly Christmas Day events and the all-star game. Every club participates in an even 82-game schedule. Once the regular season concludes, the top eight teams from each conference progress to the NBA playoffs.

In every playoff round, teams engage in a string of games, and the victors of these matchups move forward to the subsequent round. The NBA Finals will feature the champions of each conference clashing against each other.

The most high-profile games of the season, such as those featured on national TV and matches between powerhouses, attract the most betting activity. However, all games receive a fair amount of action. During the playoffs, each game is subject to a great deal of wagering.

Plenty of potential mismatches may occur throughout the season, however, the point spread and possibility of upsets also make these games intriguing.

Online betting rules for NCAAB vs. NBA games

Firstly, it’s important to be aware of a particular aspect of the Illinois sports betting law. Online bets cannot be placed on college programs based within Illinois. This implies that you cannot bet on Illinois, Northwestern, DePaul, Loyola Chicago, or any other local school.

HB 3136 has now legalized in-person betting on IL college teams at retail sportsbooks. However, betting on a mobile device remains illegal.

Given that over 350 teams participate at the Division I level, you will not be short of options. There are no limitations on betting on NBA games.

Nonetheless, every sportsbook operates under a specific set of house rules. Here are a few important aspects to note:

• A wager is deemed active when the game begins. Should the game be delayed before it starts, the bet might stay in line if the delay is minor. However, if the game is entirely cancelled, all bets are nullified and the money is refunded to the bettors.
• The resolution of game results, player propositions, live bets, and other stakes rely on official league statistics and data.
• When the spread and total bets match the number predetermined by sportsbooks at the time of the wager, the bet is considered a “push” and users are refunded their amounts.

Most of the necessary information has been provided. However, keep in mind that different situations may occur and their handling may differ according to the operator. To circumvent any unexpected issues, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the operator’s rules. In some cases, there might be a specific section for this, while in others, a thorough look through the help section will guide you to the appropriate information.

Odds comparison for NCAA basketball vs. the NBA

Throughout the regular season, numerous basketball games are available for betting daily. Interest increases significantly during March Madness and the NBA postseason. All competitions available on online sportsbooks and betting apps come with attached odds.

College basketball teams do not play as frequently as professional basketball teams. A college team might only have two games a week, whereas a professional team could play up to four times in the same period.

Lines for college games may be released well ahead of time, whereas for NBA games, they are typically released the night before or on the day of the game. Regardless, you can anticipate fluctuations from the initial release until the start of the game in both scenarios.

This occurs directly due to the influx of betting activity. If it’s apparent that public money predominantly favors one side, the oddsmakers will adjust the betting lines in an attempt to create equilibrium.

Shopping for lines is crucial in both sports. It means comparing the odds at various operators to get the best deal. For instance, the spread at FanDuel Sportsbook might be slightly different than that at BetRivers Sportsbook. Though this difference might seem insignificant, it could have a significant impact on your outcomes.

If a game is off the board or the lines haven’t been released yet, it’s possible that the book is waiting for more information. This could be due to an injury or uncertainty about playing time, for instance.

Though the odds for basketball function similarly for both NCAA and NBA, there are certain distinctions to note depending on the type of bet. Let’s delve deeper, beginning with the bet types that significantly affect NCAA and NBA betting.

NCAAB vs. NBA betting on moneylines, spreads and totals

When you browse through the game listings for college basketball and NBA games in the betting lobby, you’ll notice the same three top bet types listed. These include moneyline, point spread, and totals wagers, which draw a significant amount of betting activity.

The betting concept for both sports is identical, but there are certain distinctions to bear in mind as you analyze the games. Here is a brief overview of what you should understand.

Moneyline

In a moneyline bet, your task is simply to choose the winning team. The odds for favorites are shown as negative numbers, while underdogs are represented with positive numbers. The difference between these numbers reflects the perceived competitiveness of the matchup. For instance, a line in a college game might be displayed as follows:

North Carolina  +105

Kentucky  -120

The odds for this hypothetical game are close, but the spread could be much larger when there’s a clear favourite. Similarly in the NBA, the moneyline bet functions identically:

Miami Heat  -125

Chicago Bulls  +115

If you were to place a bet on the Heat, you would need to wager $125 to potentially win $100 back. Conversely, a $100 bet on the Bulls could yield a $115 return if all goes as planned. The moneyline is often a good place for beginners to start betting due to its straightforward nature.

Point spread

The point spread bet is crafted to maintain the excitement of the games, irrespective of the possible unevenness of the competitors. Essentially, it’s a predicted winning margin that should be considered in your wagering process. A point spread bet could appear as follows:

Kansas  -1.5 (-110)

Texas Tech  +1.5 (-110)

Betting on Kansas means you’re hoping the Jayhawks win by at least two points to cover the spread. Texas Tech, on the other hand, covers by either keeping the score difference less than two points or by outright winning. Let’s look at an example:

Utah Jazz  +4.5 (-110)

Denver Nuggets  -4.5 (-110)

The larger the spread, the greater the disparity oddsmakers perceive. Remember that spreads can shift according to betting activity, so it’s prudent to cross-check the digits in various places prior to placing a wager.

Totals

Wagering on totals is a common practice in both types of basketball games. The oddsmakers establish a baseline total, allowing bettors to choose either over or under. For instance, a line for a college game could look like this:

Over  139.5 (-110)

Under  139.5 (-110)

You could likely expect a higher total while in a pro game.

Over  202.5 (-110)

Under  202.5 (-110)

Besides the benchmark total, odds are also associated with both sides. Like any other odds, these can shift in response to betting activity, so it’s important to monitor these movements.

Prop betting for college basketball vs. the NBA

You can discover more betting opportunities by clicking on the game listing or the “more wagers” link. Once you do this, you’ll encounter a variety of prop bets which are similar to placing side bets on the game.

Some revolve around the overall game or team performance. In the NBA, there are numerous opportunities based on specific player metrics. However, the college level offers fewer options.

Additionally, remember that mobile betting on collegiate teams within Illinois is not allowed. However, all other Division I programs are open for betting, ensuring you have plenty of competition options. For team and game props, you’ll encounter situations like the following:

• Who will lead at halftime: Villanova or Georgetown?
• Do we need overtime: yes/no?
• Will the Rockets or the Lakers have more three-pointers?

Betting on player props is a common aspect in NBA betting. These bets hinge on particular achievements during the match. Here are a few examples:

• Who will score the first basket for the Bulls: Zach LaVine or another player?
• Who will accumulate more points and assists: James Harden or Russell Westbrook?
• Will Stephen Curry make over or under 3.5 three-pointers?

Live betting on NCAA basketball vs. the NBA

Live betting, also known as in-game wagering, is a rapidly expanding part of the sports betting industry. It provides the opportunity to place bets as games unfold. Despite the rapid pace, top sportsbook apps can keep up, offering quickly updated odds.

The market is fast-paced, but usually, numerous opportunities will present themselves in an average game. For instance, you’ll observe updated lines and spreads, opportunities for player prop bets, and options to place wagers on quarters and halves.

Online sportsbooks usually have a specific area for live betting. You can also access the latest live sports betting odds by selecting the “NCAAB” or “NBA” tabs. While live betting offers more opportunities for profit, it’s important to bet wisely and not get carried away by the excitement.

College basketball vs. the NBA futures market

To put it simply, the futures market allows you to possibly earn a profit from your season-long predictions. Futures bets are stakes placed on events that will happen in the future.

There are several opportunities to explore in both amateur and professional basketball. In terms of NCAA, most popular ones center around March Madness, including predictions on which teams will make it to the Final Four or secure the national championship.

In the NBA, the postseason significantly determines which team will emerge victorious in the next NBA Finals. There are similarities between the two sports as they both feature a futures market for the following:

• Team regular-season win totals
• Conference winners
• Clubs to either reach or fail to reach the postseason

Futures are also available for individual player achievements, like the College Player of the Year or the NBA MVP winner. Futures odds are released during the offseason, keeping the market active and leading to fluctuations on the odds board.

The goal is to locate your desired choices at the most affordable prices, thus it’s always recommended to compare prices by shopping around. While college basketball futures like the Final Four and national title slightly outshine in terms of overall popularity, both sports still garner a significant amount of interest and action.

How to handicap college basketball games vs. NBA games

A major difference that often goes unnoticed is rest. As previously mentioned, college players typically only play two games per week during the regular season, whereas professional players have a significantly heavier workload.

Due to the less frequent play of college teams, there is additional time between games. This can be advantageous for handicapping and also result in more predictably rational outcomes. In the NBA, travel and tiredness can pose significant challenges.

This is particularly applicable in severe instances where teams are playing three games within four nights. Here are some comparable aspects to investigate when studying both sports:

• Having Superstar Players: The impact of one or two star players on the court can be significant, often determining the outcome of the game.
• Efficiency in Defense: Although basketball is inherently a high-scoring game, teams that can make necessary defensive stops during crucial moments are the ones to keep an eye on in close matches.
• True Shooting Percentage: It considers all aspects including free throws, field goals, and three-pointers.
• Rotation Depth: In closely contested and challenging games, having an edge on the bench can make a significant difference.
• Rewritten: While season-long records hold significance, a team’s recent performance can provide a more accurate forecast of future outcomes.

Remember that college games generally have lower scores than professional games, and there are sometimes mismatches that result in large spreads. When examining both sports’ spreads and totals, it’s important to consider the team’s recent and seasonal performance with these types of bets.

What to remember about college basketball vs. NBA betting

If you’re a basketball enthusiast, there’s a lot to keep you busy in sports betting. College basketball, for instance, commands a large fan base from the regular season all the way to March Madness. The NBA also maintains this trend, from the initial game of the year to the climactic NBA Finals.

Both sports offer similarities that can be relied upon when betting, however, there are also unique differences. The NBA games are played more frequently and are longer, whereas college teams usually enjoy longer breaks between games.

Overall, NCAA basketball tends to have lower scoring, and issues of rest and fatigue have a greater impact on professional players. By noticing these subtle differences and adjusting accordingly, you can achieve success in both sports. Many handicappers have managed to do exactly that.