College basketball generates some of the most sports betting activity in the USA, but did you know that college basketball (CBB) is also a great fantasy betting option? In this guide to CBB DFS, we have recommended a fantasy college basketball site for all tastes, needs, and preferences.
You’ll be able to choose from several different contest modes with well-priced buy-ins and generous payouts. You’ll also learn some helpful tips when it comes to roster construction and research. If you like what you’re read, use the following links to sign up and claim a generous welcome bonus.
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How to Play Daily Fantasy College Basketball
Fantasy college basketball is an exciting and versatile gaming activity that is perfect for fans of the game. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, this activity has a small learning curve and is extremely accessible. You’ll just need to be prepared to do your research.
There are several different ways to play college basketball DFS, though standard options require players to draft teams of players within a set salary. How many players are required will depend on the competition. You’ll then earn points based on the real-life performances of your drafted players.
At the end of the round, the top-scoring contestants will earn a share of the prize pool. If you’re looking for something different out of the many daily fantasy sports sites, the ParlayPlay platform we’ve recommended offers a unique product that is a combination of DFS and props betting. We’ve explained all options thoroughly.
Overview of Fantasy College Basketball with DraftKings
If you’re a sports fan, there’s a strong chance that you’re familiar with the DraftKings platform. Originally launched as a DFS site in 2011, it has since become a major sports betting site that accepts players from around the world. However, it’s still maintained its high quality as a fantasy college basketball website.
There are several contest modes available to try, with each having unique drafting requirements and scoring systems. You can either create a fantasy NCAA basketball contest for your friends or play against strangers, and the site is legal in most states. It is also free to join and licensed.
Types of DraftKings College Basketball DFS Contests
You can enjoy three different fantasy NCAA basketball tournament contests at DraftKings. Although all are salary cap contests, there are slight variances in regard to the scoring systems and lineup drafting requirements. This ensures a diverse gameplay experience with different perks on offer depending on your individual preferences.
DraftKings “CBB Classic”
The CBB Classic contest is the most simple and straightforward of the fantasy basketball options. Players must draft a lineup of eight players within a $50,000 budget. There must be players from at least three different games, with position requirements including three guards, three forwards, and two utilities.
DraftKings “Showdown Captain Mode” and “Dark Horse Value Pick”
These two fantasy NCAA modes are very similar in that there is the same salary cap requirement. However, you’ll need to draft teams of six players, with five utilities and one captain. The Captain will earn a 1.5X multiplier on all points, though they will be more expensive to promote.
With the Dark Horse Value Pick contest mode, your Captain, or Dark Horse, must have a utility salary of less than $6,500. The same score sheet as the classic mode applies to these contests apart from the 1.5X multiplier mechanism.
DraftKings Fantasy College Basketball Summary
The DraftKings NCAA basketball DFS platform is undoubtedly one of the best on the market. The three contest modes function similarly, with enough gameplay variances to ensure a dynamic and versatile experience. The site is compatible with mobiles, with generous promotions often available.
It’s important to note that college basketball daily fantasy may be blocked in several states that the DraftKings DFS platform operates in. This is because several jurisdictions have laws against any form of gambling on college division sports. The site will notify you of these limitations wherever this is relevant.
Overview of Fantasy Basketball with ParlayPlay
ParlayPlay is an exciting platform that provides some of the most unique daily fantasy college basketball gameplay in the USA. There are two different contest modes to enjoy that are vastly different from anything you’ll try elsewhere. Despite its unconventionality, it’s perhaps even easier to play than traditional DFS.
At this great fantasy college basketball app, ParlayPlay’s contests are a combination of player props sports betting and DFS. Instead of drafting lineups of players, you are instead to respond to player props or make your own predictions on their performances. The site provides a welcome bonus that can be used on CBB.
Types of ParlayPlay Fantasy Basketball Contests
The two contest types at ParlayPlay are More/Less and Hit It. Each contest mode is essentially the opposite of the other, with the more difficult option being the Hit It contest. We’ve explained how each works below.
ParlayPlay “More/Less”
In More/Less daily fantasy college basketball contests, contestants must choose between two and four players that will be competing in an upcoming round. There will be different projected points levels for each player, and you are to predict whether they will score more or less than projected. Two or more correct predictions will award a payout.
ParlayPlay “Hit It”
In the CBB daily fantasy Hit It contest mode, participants must select two college basketball players that are to compete in the upcoming round. You are then to form your own projected point ranges for these players. If you predict the point ranges for two players, you’ll win 6X your fee. If you predict only one, you’ll win 2X the entry fee.
ParlayPlay Fantasy Basketball Summary
ParlayPlay was selected as a best college basketball site due to its unique gaming options that are much less involved than what is required at DraftKings. This results in a fun mix of DFS and sports betting that you won’t find elsewhere. Check out our review of ParlayPlay fantasy platform to learn why it’s stable and reliable for all users on any device.
College Basketball DFS Tips & Strategy
There are a number of useful strategies for NCAA tournament fantasy sports that can help to increase your chances of winning. We suggest starting by researching sports betting player props and projected outcomes for the games. Just like for those who compete in daily fantasy WNBA, you’ll also want to watch plenty of games to form your own understandings of the teams.
Be sure to remain flexible with your NCAA tournament fantasy picks right up until games begin as you may need to react to injury reports. As soon as the game begins, you won’t be able to edit your picks, so be sure to stay informed right up until drafting closes and make any trades as you need to.
In CBB fantasy, choose players that tend to accumulate minutes as minutes directly translate to points procurement in basketball fantasy sports. It’s also common that players that pick up two fouls in the first half are often benched by coaches, so you’ll want to choose players that aren’t likely to earn fouls.
Guide to College Basketball DFS Roster Construction
When constructing your lineups, you’ll need to have a mix of guaranteed point-scorers and players that are more likely to be overlooked. With a good deal of research, you should be able to identify mispriced players with low ownership and strong scoring potential. As many contestants only play in March, you can give yourself an advantage by watching from November.
Basketball is also an interesting anomaly in team DFS in that stacking players from one team also isn’t always helpful, as aside from points and assists, fantasy points aren’t correlated between players. You’ll want to spread your picks over multiple teams and games to best boost your wins.
Helpful College Basketball DFS Resources
We recommend that you refer to several resources when you make your picks. Although you’ll find that each best fantasy college basketball website will provide accurate statistics, refer to the NCAA website for more in-depth data. Furthermore, keep up to date with college basketball podcasts for expert picks.
There are also several YouTube vlogs and forums that discuss NCAA basketball DFS. These can include insights from experts and seasoned players. By referring to this, you can get a good idea about eventual player ownership and may be introduced to players that you’re not familiar with.
Our Pick of the Top Daily Fantasy College Basketball Mobile App
It’s hard to say what the best fantasy college basketball app is due to the fact that both sites are so different. While DraftKings is a reliable mobile platform for traditional salary cap contests, the ParlayPlay app is also great for its own unique reasons. If we had to pick though, DraftKings has more versatile options and is more of a crowd-pleaser.
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Final Thoughts on Choosing a College Basketball Fantasy Site
Now that you’ve got a good indication of the best fantasy college basketball site for your needs, we hope that you’ll be able to draft your teams with confidence. Both of our top recommendations provide generous welcome bonuses and have been approved to accept players in most US states. Plus there’s also other fantasy basketball contests to find on these platforms.
FAQ
What is the best fantasy college basketball website?
We have suggested two great sites for college basketball DFS throughout this guide. These are DraftKings and ParlayPlay. It’s hard to say definitively which is the best app for fantasy college basketball as they function differently from one another in regard to the type of contests that are available.
However, both are similar in that they are trustworthy and legal sites that appeal to fans of college basketball. They also have at least two fantasy contest modes each and have free contests. You can download mobile apps for each and there are plenty of useful walkthroughs for newcomers.
Which DFS operator with college basketball has the best new player bonus?
If you’re looking for a bonus NCAA basketball DFS offer, you’ll find great welcome bonuses at each site. They each come in the form of deposit match bonus funds. This means that your first cash deposit up to a certain value will be matched with free funds that can be spent on college basketball and other sports.
In terms of which site offers more, this is DraftKings. However, it’s important to note that the terms and conditions for each is vastly different. There are varying minimum deposit requirements, wagering requirements, and expiration periods. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before claiming a bonus.
When does fantasy college basketball start?
The NCAA college basketball season takes place between November and March each year. However, it’s the March Madness tournament that tends to generate the most user activity. This is a long-followed tradition when it comes to sports betting and it is no different for daily fantasy sports.
However, we recommend that you keep a close eye on games throughout the whole season to give yourself the best advantage in March. It can be more difficult to find expert insights for college basketball than it is for major sports leagues, so it’s best to rely on your own knowledge.
Where is fantasy college basketball legal?
Unlike regular daily fantasy sports that are legal in almost all US states, college sports are restricted in several states for sports betting and DFS. This is because some regulators believe that any form of wagering on fantasy sports can affect the integrity of these games and impact the mental wellbeing of younger players.
DraftKings and ParlayPlay provide fantasy college basketball in 33 states, including Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, Texas, and West Virginia. If you’re not located in one of these states but other forms of DFS betting are legal, you may find that there are free fantasy college basketball contests to enjoy.
How does scoring work in CBB DFS?
There are different scoring systems for each fantasy NCAA basketball tournament contest mode and websites. That said, they tend to be quite simplistic for basketball competitions compared to other types of sports. At DraftKings, the same score sheet applies to all contests, with Captains scoring a multiplier.
At DraftKings, the contestants with the highest scores will earn a cut of the prize pool. The ParlayPlay score sheet is also the same for both contest types, but it is contestant’s job to either respond to the projected scores or to create their own projections. You’ll earn payouts if these responses are correct.
What are helpful resources for playing fantasy college basketball?
Before you confirm your DFS CBB picks, you can refer to several helpful resources. To begin with, look at the official NCAA basketball website to find up-to-date statistics on players and injury reports. This page may also include round-ups of games and provide valuable insights into great player performances.
From here, find expert insights through YouTube vlogs, articles, and podcasts. There are many forums that discuss all things DFS, and the DraftKings website also publishes weekly blogs on the topic. You could also use an automated lineup optimizer tool to build your lineup foundation then make adjustments from there.