Regarding betting on college basketball, metrics such as KenPom and Sagarin rankings are crucial in guiding bettors’ decisions. These computer-based systems provide predictions for game outcomes and margins of victory, which sportsbooks often consider when setting their odds. While both metrics offer valuable insights, bettors often wonder which one to rely on for better accuracy and increased chances of success.
KenPom and Sagarin Rankings
KenPom and Sagarin are two prominent mathematical ranking systems for predicting college basketball game outcomes. KenPom, developed by Ken Pomeroy, assesses teams’ strengths without factoring in injuries or emotional elements. Its formula incorporates statistics like shooting percentage, margin of victory, and strength of schedule, providing offensive, defensive, and overall efficiency ratings. On the other hand, Sagarin rankings aim to achieve the same predictive goal but employ a different algorithm that needs to be more transparent.
The Decision-Making Process for Bettors
Bettors can leverage both KenPom and Sagarin rankings to make informed decisions. Typically, these metrics align closely, but divergences can offer opportunities for value betting. When there is a significant difference in predicted outcomes between KenPom and Sagarin, sportsbooks often lean towards KenPom, adjusting their lines accordingly. Bettors can analyze these discrepancies and consider siding with the more accurate metric.
Comparing Accuracy
A comparison of accuracy between KenPom and Sagarin reveals intriguing insights. In instances where both metrics diverge, and the actual point spread lies in between, KenPom tends to be more accurate. A small sample size study of power-conference games from the 2018-19 season showcased KenPom’s higher accuracy percentage in predicting margins of victory compared to Sagarin. Additionally, when the actual point spread is higher or lower than both predictions, the sportsbooks’ odds tend to be closer to the outcome, suggesting that oddsmakers consider additional factors like injuries, head-to-head history, and recent performance.
Considering Injuries
Both KenPom and Sagarin metrics have limitations in accounting for injuries. They assume that teams will perform similarly to their past performances, disregarding potential impacts from key player absences. Bettors, however, can capitalize on this limitation by closely monitoring injury news and utilizing metrics and injury-related information to make more accurate predictions. In situations where sportsbooks may initially misjudge the impact of injuries, bettors can find value in betting against overreactions.
KenPom vs. Sagarin vs. Sportsbooks: Tracked Results
To maintain transparency, provided below are the tracked results used to evaluate the accuracy of KenPom and Sagarin rankings compared to the actual point spreads from a specific online sportsbook and the outcomes of college basketball games
| 2018-19 Season | |||||
| Matchup | KP Spread | Sag. Spread | Actual Sportsbook Spread | Outcome | Takeaway |
| Duke at Notre Dame (Jan. 28) | Duke -14 | Duke -14.28 | Duke -15.5 | Duke wins (83-61) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| TCU at Texas Tech (Jan. 28) | TT -5 | TT -4.26 | TT – 5.5 | TT wins (84-65) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Baylor at Oklahoma (Jan. 28) | Okla. -7 | Okla. -6.77 | Okla. -5.5 | Baylor wins (77-47) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| MD Eastern Shore at Howard (Jan. 28) | Howard -15 | Howard -11.85 | Howard -13.5 | Howard wins (72-57) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| NC Central at Savannah St (Jan. 28) | NCCU -3 | NCCU -4.78 | NCCU -2.5 | NC Central wins (82-78) and covers | KenPom and Sagarin were even; both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Georgia at Arkansas (Jan. 29) | Ark. -7 | Ark. -5.98 | Ark. -7.5 | Arkansas wins (70-60) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Tennessee at South Carolina (Jan. 29) | Tenn. -12 | Tenn. -10.61 | Tenn. -8.5 | Tennessee wins (92-70) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Pittsburgh at Clemson (Jan. 29) | Clem. -6 | Clem. -7.46 | Clem. -9.5 | Clemson wins (82-69) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Kansas at Texas (Jan. 29) | Texas -1 | Kansas -2.69 | Texas -1.5 | Texas wins (73-63) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Lipscomb at Liberty (Jan. 29) | Liberty -4 | Liberty -0.02 | Liberty -2.5 | Lipscomb wins (79-59) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Ohio at No. Illinois (Jan. 29) | No. Ill. -9 | No. Ill. -6.34 | No. Ill. -4.5 | No. Ill. wins (71-60) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| North Carolina at Ga. Tech (Jan. 29) | UNC -8 | UNC -9.31 | UNC -11.0 | UNC wins (77-54) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Virginia at NC St. (Jan. 29) | UVA -10 | UVA -7.23 | UVA -7.5 | Virginia wins (66-65 OT). NC St. covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Missouri St. at Valparaiso (Jan. 29) | Valpo. -1 | Valpo. -2.46 | Missouri St. -3.5 | Missouri St. wins (55-54 OT). Valpo. covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Marquette at Butler (Jan. 30) | Butler -1 | Marquette -0.34 | Butler -2.5 | Marquette wins) 76-58) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Indiana at Rutgers (Jan. 30) | Indiana -2 | Indiana – 4.94 | Indiana -1.5 | Rutgers wins (66-58) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Providence at Seton Hall (Jan. 30) | Seton Hall -5 | Seton Hall -2.69 | Seton Hall -4.5 | Seton Hall wins (65-63). Providence covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was also more accurate than KenPom. |
| West Virginia at Iowa St. (Jan. 30) | Iowa St. -15 | Iowa St. -11.17 | Iowa St. -12.5 | Iowa St. wins (93-68) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| St. John’s at Creighton (Jan. 30) | Creighton -5 | Creighton – 3.66 | Creighton -4.0 | St. John’s wins (83-67) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Illinois at Minnesota (Jan. 30) | Minn. -6 | Minn. -7.28 | Minn. -6.5 | Minnesota wins (86-75) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| UCLA at Wash. St. (Jan. 30) | UCLA -6 | UCLA -7.13 | UCLA -4.5 | UCLA wins (87-67) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| USC at Washington (Jan. 30) | Wash. -9 | Wash. -6.96 | Wash. -7.0 | Washington wins (75-62) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Iona at Marist (Jan. 31) | Iona -2 | Iona -0.10 | Iona -1.0 | Marist wins (78-74) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| La. Monroe at Coastal Carolina (Jan. 31) | C.C. -4 | C.C. -3.03 | C.C. – 1.5 | Coastal Carolina wins (92-81) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| So. Miss at Fla. Int. (Jan. 31) | So. Miss. -2 | So. Miss. -0.05 | Fla. Int -1.0 | So. Miss. wins (89-73) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate Sagarin and the sportsbook. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Temple at Houston (Jan. 31) | Houston -12 | Houston -10.82 | Houston -9.5 | Houston wins (73-66). Temple covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Tulane at East Carolina (Jan. 31) | E. Car. -6 | E. Car. -4.49 | E. Car. -5.0 | East Carolina wins (66-65). Tulane covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| UTEP at Marshall (Jan. 31) | Marshall -9 | Marshall -10.40 | Marshall -9.5 | Marshall wins (91-86). UTEP covers. | KenPom was more accurate Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Tenn. Martin at Tenn. St. (Jan. 31) | Tenn. St -5 | Tenn. St. -3.78 | Tenn. St. -4.5 | Tenn St. wins (68-67). Tenn. Martin covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| UConn at UCF (Jan. 31) | UFC -6 | UCF – 7.93 | UCF – 7.5 | UCF wins (73-67). UConn covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| UMKC at New Mex. St. (Jan. 31) | NM St. -15 | NM St. -18.77 | NM St. -16.5 | NM St. wins (70-54). UMKC covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Portland St. at Weber St. | Weber -12 | Weber -10.68 | Weber -9.0 | Portland St. wins (76-75) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Pepperdine at Portland (Jan. 31) | Pepp. -7 | Pepp. -5.39 | Pepp. -4.5 | Pepp. wins (83-58) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Gonzaga at BYU (Jan. 31) | Gonzaga – 15 | Gonzaga -13.49 | Gonzaga -14.5 | Gonzaga wins (93-63) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Penn at Cornell (Feb. 1) | Penn -4 | Penn. -6.57 | Penn. -6.0 | Cornell wins (80-71) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| North Dakota at Western Ill. (Feb. 1) | W. Ill -5 | W. Ill. -2.46 | W. Ill – 3.0 | N. Dak. wins (74-73) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Davidson at St. Bonaventure (Feb. 1) | Dav. -1 | Dav. -3.08 | Dav. -1.5 | Davidson wins (75-66) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Michigan at Iowa (Feb. 1) | UM -4 | UM -3.42 | UM -5.5 | Iowa wins (74-59) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Colgate at Lehigh (Feb. 4) | Lehigh -4 | Lehigh – 5.07 | Lehigh -5.0 | Colgate wins (84-62) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Fairfield at Siena (Feb. 4) | Siena -5 | Siena – 3.97 | Siena -4.5 | Siena wins (61-5) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Marist at Canisius (Feb. 4) | Canisius -5 | Canisius -6.11 | Canisius -4.5 | Marist wins (78-71 OT) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| NC Cent. at Fla. A&M (Feb. 4) | Fla. A&M -4 | Fla. A&M -1.17 | Fla. A&M -2.0 | Fla. A&M wins (73-57) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Savannah St. at MD East. Shore (Feb. 4) | Savannah St. -3 | Savannah St. -0.92 | Savannah St. -2.0 | Savannah St. wins (68-63) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| S. Car. St. at Delaware St. (Feb. 4) | S. Car. St. -4 | S. Car. St. -5.25 | S. Car. St. -4.5 | Delaware St. wins (70-68) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Penn St. at Northwestern (Feb. 4) | Northwestern -5 | Northwestern -4.88 | Northwestern -3.5 | Penn St. wins (59-52) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Ala. A&M at Tex. Southern (Feb. 4) | Tex. Southern -18 | Tex. Southern -16.54 | Tex. Southern -17.5 | Tex. Southern wins (84-74). Ala. A&M covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Ark. Pine Bluff at Jackson St. (Feb. 4) | Jackson St. -5 | Jackson St. -3.27 | Jackson St. -4.5 | Jackson St. wins (65-52) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Iowa St. at Oklahoma (Feb. 4) | Iowa St -2 | Okla -0.33 | Iowa St. -3.0 | Iowa St. wins (74-73). Okla covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| West Virginia at Texas Tech (Feb. 4) | TT -13 | TT -10.85 | TT – 12.0 | Texas Tech wins (80-51) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| S. Utah at Idaho St. (Feb. 4) | S. Utah -4 | S. Utah -1.51 | S. Utah -5.0 | S. Utah wins (75-64) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Bowling Green at W. Mich. (Feb. 5) | B.G. -6 | B.g. -3.14 | B.G. -5.5 | Bowling Green wins (85-72) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Drake at Loyola-Chicago (Feb. 5) | Loyola-Chi. -2 | Loyola-Chi. -3.62 | Loyola-Chi. -7.0 | Loyola-Chi. wins (86-64) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Miami Oh. at Kent St. (Feb. 5) | Kent St. -3 | Kent St. -4.42 | Kent St. -4.0 | Kent St. wins (70-67). Miami-Oh. covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Mich St. at Illinois (Feb. 5) | Mich St. -12 | Mich St. -12.56 | Mich St. -10.0 | Illinois wins (79-74) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Pitt at Wake Forest (Feb. 5) | Pitt -5 | Pitt -2.96 | Pitt – 3.0 | W.F. wins (78-76 OT) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| St. Joseph’s at La Salle (Feb. 5) | La Salle -2 | St. Joe’s -0.82 | La Salle -1.5 | La Salle wins (83-69) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Ball St. at UNI (Feb. 5) | UNI -3 | UNI -1.97 | UNI -2.5 | Ball St. wins (72-71) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Florida at Auburn (Feb. 5) | Auburn -7 | Auburn -6.97 | Auburn -8.0 | Auburn wins (76-62) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Utah St. at Fresno St. (Feb. 5) | Utah St -1 | Fresno St. -2.03 | Utah St. -2.0 | Utah St. wins (82-81). Fresno St. covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| San Diego St. at New Mexico (Feb. 5) | N.M -1 | SD St. -1.25 | SD St. -2.5 | N.M. wins (83-70) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Fordham at UMass (Feb. 6) | UMass -7 | UMass-8.02 | UMass -5.5 | Fordham wins (85-67) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Kennesaw St. at Jacksonville (Feb. 6) | Jacksonville -13 | Jacksonville -10.83 | Jacksonville -11.5 | Jacksonville wins (82-73). KST covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Lipscomb at North Fla. (Feb. 6) | Lipscomb -12 | Lipscomb -9.66 | Lipscomb -11.0 | Lipscomb wins (92-55) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| New Hampshire at UMass-Lowell (Feb. 6) | UMass-Lowell -16 | UMass-Lowell -11.30 | UMass-Lowell -13.5 | UMass-Lowell wins (72-62). UNH covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Notre Dame at Miami (Feb. 6) | Miami -3 | Miami -2.09 | Miami -3.5 | Miami wins (62-47) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Rhode Is. at Davidson (Feb. 6) | Davidson -6 | Davidson -5.66 | Davidson -5.0 | Davidson wins (68-53) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Texas A&M at Ole Miss (Feb. 6) | Ole Miss -11 | Ole Miss -8.04 | Ole Miss – 9.0 | Ole Miss wins (75-71). A&M covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Georgetown at Providence (Feb. 6) | Providence -4 | Providence -4.26 | Providence -5.5 | Georgetown wins (76-67) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Bradley at UNI (Feb. 6) | UNI -5 | UNI -3.93 | UNI -4.5 | Bradley wins (79-71) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Creighton at Villanova (Feb. 6) | Villanova -8 | Villanova -9.77 | Villanova -9.0 | Villanova wins (66-59 OT). Creighton covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| SE Louisiana at Texas A&M C.C. (Feb. 6) | Texas A&M C.C. -5 | Texas A&M C.C. -3.23 | Texas A&M C.C. -3.5 | SE Louisiana wins (64-58) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| So. Ill at Missouri St. (Feb. 6) | Missouri St. -3 | Missouri St. -1.09 | Missouri St. -4.5 | Missouri St. (65-59) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| SFA at Houston Bapt.(Feb. 6) | Houston Bapt. -3 | SFA -0.94 | Houston Bapt. -1.5 | SFA wins (79-77) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Georgia at Alabama (Feb. 6) | Alabama -9 | Alabama -7.22 | Alabama -8.0 | Alabama wins (89-74) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Wisconsin at Minnesota (Feb. 6) | Wisconsin -4 | Wisconsin -3.64 | Wisconsin -2.5 | Wisconsin wins (56-51) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Nevada at Colorado St. (Feb. 6) | Nevada -12 | Nevada -14.20 | Nevada -13.0 | Nevada wins (98-82) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Kent St. at Akron (Feb. 8) | Akron -6 | Akron -2.73 | Akron -4.0 | Akron wins (72-53) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Penn at Brown (Feb. 8) | Brown -3 | Brown -0.01 | Brown -1.0 | Penn wins (92-82) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Cornell at Dartmouth (Feb. 8) | Dartmouth -7 | Dartmouth -3.69 | Dartmouth -3.5 | Cornell wins (83-80) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Ga. Southern at UL Monroe (Feb. 8) | UL Monroe -1 | Ga. Southern -0.40 | PK | UL Monroe wins (88-79) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Ga. State at Louisiana (Feb. 8) | Ga. State -3 | Ga. State -1.86 | Louisiana -1.0 | Louisiana wins (76-72) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Columbia at Harvard (Feb. 8) | Harvard -14 | Harvard -13.97 | Harvard -10.5 | Harvard wins (98-96 OT). Columbia covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. The sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Canisius at Rider (Feb. 8) | Rider -8 | Rider -6.60 | Rider -9.0 | Canisius wins (81-80) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| St. Louis at St. Joseph’s (Feb. 8) | St. Louis -3 | St. Louis -0.97 | St. Louis -2.5 | St. Joe’s wins (91-61) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Princeton at Yale (Feb. 8) | Yale -9 | Yale -7.87 | Yale -8.0 | Yale wins (74-60) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. The sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| 2017-18 Season | |||||
| Matchup | KP Spread | Sag. Spread | Actual Spread | Outcome | Takeaway |
| Bucknell at Lafayette (Jan. 8) | Bucknell -7 | Bucknell -9.5 | Bucknell -11.0 | Bucknell wins (80-75 OT), Lafayette covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was too high on Bucknell. |
| Jackson St. at Southern (Jan. 8) | Southern -6 | Southern -5.12 | Southern -7.0 | Jackson State wins (65-61) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was too high on Jackson State. |
| Baylor at West Virginia (Jan. 9) | W.V. -8 | W.V. -13.4 | W.V. -9.5 | West Virginia wins (57-54); Baylor covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was too high on WV. |
| Texas Tech at Oklahoma (Jan. 9) | T.T. -1 | Okla. -2.2 | Okla. -2.0 | Okla. wins (75-65) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook (slightly); the sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Butler at Creighton (Jan. 9) | Creighton -7 | Creighton -6.4 | Creighton -7.0 | Creighton wins (85-74) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Purdue at Michigan (Jan. 9) | Purdue -2 | Purdue -2.4 | Pur -2.0 | Purdue wins (70-69); Michigan covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Ole Miss at Auburn (Jan. 9) | Aub. -12 | Aub. -17.0 | Aub. -10.5 | Auburn wins (85-70) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was too high on Ole Miss. |
| Dayton at Richmond (Jan. 9) | Dayton -1 | Dayton -5.4 | Dayton -2.5 | Dayton wins (87-81) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Kansas at Iowa State (Jan. 9) | Kansas -9 | Kansas -20 | Kansas -16.0 | Kansas wins (83-78); Iowa State covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. |
| Syracuse at Virginia (Jan. 9) | Virginia -12 | Virginia -15.75 | Virginia -9.5 | Virginia wins (68-61); Syracuse covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Duke at Pittsburgh (Jan. 10) | Duke -14 | Duke -16.01 | Duke -20.0 | Duke wins (87-52) and covers | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Louisville at Florida State (Jan. 10) | FSU -6 | FSU -9.82 | FSU -6.0 | Louisville wins (73-69) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; KenPom tied with the sportsbook. |
| OK State at Kansas State (Jan. 10) | Kansas State -5 | Kansas State -5.99 | Kansas State -3.0 | Kansas State wins (86-82) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Colorado at USC (Jan. 10) | USC -10 | USC -8.69 | USC -11.0 | USC wins (70-58) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Va. Tech at Wake Forest (Jan. 10) | Wake -1 | Va. Tech -2.43 | Wake -2.0 | Va. Tech wins (83-75) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Duke at Miami (Jan. 15) | Duke -2 | Duke -2.3 | Duke -4.0 | Duke wins (83-75) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Kansas at West Virginia (Jan. 15) | WV -3 | WV -4.6 | WV -5.5 | Kansas wins (71-66) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. |
| Illinois at Nebraska (Jan. 15) | Nebraska -5 | Nebraska -7.74 | Nebraska -4.5 | Nebraska wins (64-63); Illinois covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| DePaul at Marquette (Jan. 15) | Marquette -10 | Marquette -14.99 | Marquette -9.5 | Marquette wins (70-52) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Cincinnati at UCF (Jan. 16) | Cincinnati -6 | Cincinnati -6.04 | Cincinnati -7.5 | Cincinnati wins (49-38) and covers. | Sagarin was slightly more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Purdue at Wisconsin (Jan. 16) | Purdue -17 | Purdue -23.04 | Purdue -14.5 | Purdue wins (78-50) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; both metrics were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Clemson at North Carolina (Jan. 16) | UNC -6 | UNC -5.06 | UNC -7.5 | UNC wins (87-79) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Oklahoma at Kansas State (Jan. 16) | Okla. -1 | Okla. -4.73 | Okla. -2.0 | K-State wins (87-69) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. |
| Kentucky at South Carolina (Jan. 16) | UK -3 | UK -4.08 | UK -1.5 | So. Car. wins (76-68) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| SMU at Wichita State (Jan. 17) | Wich. St. -7.5 | Wich. St. -13.01 | Wich. St. -8.5 | SMU wins (83-78) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. |
| Auburn at Alabama (Jan. 17) | Auburn -1 | Auburn -4.00 | Auburn -2.0 | Alabama wins (76-71) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook. |
| St. John’s at Xavier (Jan. 17) | Xavier -12 | Xavier -14.73 | Xavier -11.5 | Xavier wins (88-82); St. John’s covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Iowa State at TCU (Jan. 17) | TCU -12 | TCU -13.56 | TCU -10.5 | TCU wins (96-73) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom. Both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Arizona St. at Stanford (Jan. 17) | ASU -5 | ASU -8.20 | ASU -3.5 | Stanford wins (86-77) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Illinois at Wisconsin (Jan. 19) | Wisc. -4 | Wisc. -5.41 | Wisc. -4.5 | Wisc. wins (75-50) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate that KenPom. |
| St. Bonaventure at Davidson (Jan. 19) | Dav. -4 | St. Bon. -1.53 | Dav. -5.0 | Davidson wins (83-73) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Arizona at Wash. St. (Jan. 31) | Ari. -8 | Ari. -10.50 | Ari. -12.0 | Arizona wins (100-72) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| LSU at Tennessee (Jan. 31) | Tenn. -11 | Tenn.-12.28 | Tenn. -9.5 | Tennessee wins (84-61) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Missouri at Alabama (Jan. 31) | Bama -3 | Bama -3.52 | Bama -5.5 | Missouri wins (69-60) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; both were more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Florida St. at Wake Forest (Jan. 31) | FSU -4 | FSU -7.07 | FSU -4.5 | Wake wins (76-72) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Fairfield at Monmouth (Feb. 2) | Mon. -7 | Mon. -6.78 | Mon. -2.5 | Fairfield wins (79-78) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Canisius at Marist (Feb. 2) | Can. -7 | Can. -9.13 | Can. -8.0 | Canisius wins (73-67); Marist covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Harvard at Columbia (Feb. 2) | Pick’em | Harvard -3.10 | Harvard -1.5 | Columbia wins (83-76) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Illinois Chicago at Oakland (Feb. 2) | Oak. -9 | Oak. -11.27 | Oak. -8.0 | Ill.-Chi. wins (79-73) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| Indiana at Rutgers (Feb. 5) | Rutgers -1 | Indiana -0.88 | Indiana -3.0 | Indiana wins (65-43) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| West Virginia at Oklahoma (Feb. 5) | Okla. -1 | Okla. -3.49 | Okla. -3.0 | W.V. wins (757-73) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Southern at Jackson St. (Feb. 5) | Jack. St -1 | Jack. St -5.06 | Jack. St -2.0 | Southern wins (67-62) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate than Sagarin. |
| Colorado State at Air Force (Feb. 6) | Pick’em | Air Force -0.48 | Air Force -2.5 | Air Force wins (78-73) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was more accurate than both. |
| So. Car at Arkansas (Feb. 6) | Ark. -6 | Ark. -8.96 | Ark. -7.0 | Ark.wins (81-65) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom; the sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Missouri St. at Indiana St. (Feb. 6) | Ind. St. -3 | Ind. St. -0.59 | Ind. St. -1.5 | Missouri St. wins (81-62) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate than KenPom. |
| Xavier at Butler (Feb. 6) | Butler -3 | Xavier -0.54 | Butler -3.5 | Xavier wins (98-93) and covers. | Sagarin was more accurate than KenPom and the sportsbook; the sportsbook was more accurate than the sportsbook. |
| Tennessee at Kentucky (Feb. 6) | Tenn. -2 | UK -0.47 | UK -1.5 | Tenn. wins (61-59) and covers. | KenPom was more accurate than Sagarin and the sportsbook; Sagarin was more accurate than the sportsbook. |
In college basketball betting, utilizing prediction systems like KenPom and Sagarin can enhance your chances of success. While there’s no foolproof formula for winning every bet, historical data indicates that KenPom’s predictions are often more accurate than Sagarin’s. When KenPom and Sagarin differ on predicted outcomes and the actual point spread falls in between, bettors might find value in siding with KenPom’s prediction. Additionally, staying informed about injury news can provide further opportunities for informed betting decisions.
Remember that betting always carries risk, and it’s essential to exercise responsible gambling practices. By combining KenPom, Sagarin, and injury news insights, you can make more informed decisions and increase your chances of success in college basketball betting.