College Basketball Predictions Today | 10 Best College Basketball Picks Today (NCAAB Predictions for November 5)

The Polymarket promo code (ACTION) is perfect to use on Thursday's college hoops action, and these college basketball predictions today round up our best college basketball picks today across 10 games.

• Several teams in the games we're covering, including Duke, McNeese and North Texas, are only one game into the 2026-27 season.
• Our 10 tickets split across three moneylines, four spreads and three totals, all priced between 37¢ and 60¢.

Here is our full picks table from the best prediction markets before we break down each of our NCAAB predictions and the main lines for each game we're covering.

Read our dedicated Polymarket review to learn more, or check out more prediction market promo codes for other platforms.

College Basketball Predictions Today: Our Top Polymarket Picks for November 5

Every pick below is a real trade we'd make on Polymarket, part of our best college basketball picks today. Check out the best prediction market apps and the NCAAB hub for more.

Use Polymarket promo code ACTION and Deposit $10, Get a $25 Trading Bonus!

These lines can shift quickly once teams settle into the season, so we're building around the numbers as they stand right now.

McNeese vs North Texas Prediction

McNeese and North Texas are both 1-0 heading into this one, the return leg of a home-and-home series the schools agreed to in 2024. The Cowboys hosted the first meeting in Lake Charles, and this time the Mean Green host at the UNT Coliseum in Denton.

Polymarket's board has McNeese at 58% to win and North Texas at 43%, while ESPN's DraftKings line lists McNeese -2.5. Polymarket's total sits at 141.5, a point above the 140.5 on ESPN's schedule.

Best Moneyline Pick Today: McNeese

McNeese is the road favorite on the board, and the market has been leaning that way, with the Cowboys' price up 6% and North Texas down 11% on Polymarket's arrows.

The Cowboys reportedly went 19-1 last season when they won the rebounding battle, so a clean night on the glass is a clear path to a road win. With the spread at just 2.5 points, the moneyline is the cleanest way to back that.

At a $100 buy near 58 cents, this ticket works out to roughly 172 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $167.51, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If McNeese wins: Return of $167.51.
• If North Texas wins: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A return of roughly 1.7x on a game the board treats as a slight lean.

Wake Forest vs Vanderbilt Prediction

Wake Forest heads to Memorial Gymnasium to face No. 24 Vanderbilt, closing out a two-year series. The Commodores visited Winston-Salem last December and reportedly won that meeting 98-67.

Vanderbilt reportedly finished last season 27-9. Polymarket has the Commodores at 94% to win outright, with Wake Forest at 7%.

Best Spread Pick Today: Vanderbilt -17.5

The spread of 17.5 matches the DraftKings number on ESPN's schedule, so there is no line gap here, just a straight read on the size of the mismatch.

Last year's meeting was decided by 31 points, well past this number, and Vanderbilt is a ranked team playing at home. At 54 cents, the board treats the cover as close to a coin flip.

At a $100 buy near 54 cents, this ticket works out to roughly 185 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $179.44, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If Vanderbilt wins by 18 or more: Return of $179.44.
• If not: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A return of roughly 1.8x for a ranked home team in a clear mismatch.

Hofstra vs Princeton Prediction

Hofstra visits Jadwin Gymnasium to take on Princeton, which was picked fourth in the 2026-27 Ivy League preseason media poll behind Penn, Harvard and Yale.
Polymarket has Princeton at 60% and Hofstra at 41%, and the board's lines match ESPN's, with Princeton -2.5 and a total of 140.5.

Best Moneyline Pick Today: Princeton

Princeton is the home favorite, and the board has moved toward the Tigers, with their price up 6% and Hofstra's down 9%.

With the spread at just 2.5 points, this game is likely to be decided late, which makes the moneyline the cleaner way to back the home side without worrying about the final margin.

At a $100 buy near 60 cents, this ticket works out to roughly 167 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $162.16, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If Princeton wins: Return of $162.16.
• If Hofstra wins: the $100 stake is a total loss.

The shortest-priced ticket on our board, with a return of roughly 1.6x.

Maine vs Sacred Heart Prediction

Maine travels to the William H. Pitt Center in Fairfield, Connecticut, to face Sacred Heart. Polymarket's lines match ESPN's here, with Sacred Heart -5.5 and a total of 142.5.
The board has Sacred Heart at 70% to win outright and Maine at 32%, though the Pioneers' price carries a red arrow of 8%.

Best Spread Pick Today: Sacred Heart -5.5

Backing Sacred Heart through the spread is a different price than the moneyline. The Pioneers' outright price is 70 cents, while covering 5.5 points is priced at 51 cents.

That gap means asking for a win by six or more pays roughly 1.9x instead of 1.4x, which is a fair trade for a home favorite the market already likes.

At a $100 buy near 51 cents, this ticket works out to roughly 196 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $189.62, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If Sacred Heart wins by 6 or more: Return of $189.62.
• If not: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A return of just under 1.9x for backing the home side to win comfortably.

UAlbany vs Manhattan Prediction

UAlbany heads to Draddy Gymnasium in Riverdale, New York, to face Manhattan. Polymarket has Manhattan at 61% to win and UAlbany at 40%.
ESPN's DraftKings line lists Manhattan -4.5, a full point steeper than Polymarket's 3.5.

Best Spread Pick Today: Manhattan -3.5

That one-point gap is the edge here. Manhattan can win by exactly four and still cash this ticket on Polymarket, while that same result would be a loss against ESPN's number.

The moneyline at 61% points to a modest favorite, so a cover price of 53 cents is a reasonable ask for the home side.

At a $100 buy near 53 cents, this ticket works out to roughly 189 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $182.71, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If Manhattan wins by 4 or more: Return of $182.71.
• If not: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A return of roughly 1.8x with a full point of cushion compared to the sportsbook number.

Delaware State vs Navy Prediction

Delaware State visits Alumni Hall in Annapolis to face Navy. Polymarket's lines match ESPN's, with Navy -8.5 and a total of 134.5, the lowest total of the games we're covering.
The board has Navy at 78% to win outright and Delaware State at 23%.

Best Total Pick Today: Over 134.5

Those two lines imply a final score of roughly Navy 71.5 and Delaware State 63. That means the Over only needs a handful of extra points to get there.

Early-season totals can be tough to set when teams have little 2026-27 film to go on. Polymarket's arrow shows the Over price down 22%, the biggest total move among the games we're covering, which makes it a cheaper entry than the board showed earlier.

At a $100 buy near 51 cents, this ticket works out to roughly 196 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $189.62, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If the game goes over 134.5 total points: Return of $189.62.
• If not: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A return of just under 1.9x on the lowest total of the games we're covering.

UMBC vs Marist Prediction

UMBC heads to McCann Arena in Poughkeepsie to face Marist. Polymarket has Marist at 65% to win and UMBC at 37%.
ESPN's DraftKings line matches Polymarket's, with Marist -4.5 and a total of 138.5.

Best Moneyline Pick Today: UMBC

A home favorite of 4.5 points is a real lean, but not a heavy one, and the board's 37% leaves the underdog with real upside.

This is the only underdog moneyline among our 10 picks and the biggest payout of the group. UMBC's price is down 1% on the board, while Marist's is down 9%.

At a $100 buy near 37 cents, this ticket works out to roughly 270 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $258.94, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If UMBC wins: Return of $258.94.
• If Marist wins: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A return of roughly 2.6x, the biggest multiple of our 10 picks.

Binghamton vs Saint Peter's Prediction

Binghamton visits the Yanitelli Center in Jersey City to face Saint Peter's. Polymarket has Saint Peter's at 76% to win outright and Binghamton at 25%.
ESPN's DraftKings line lists Saint Peter's -8.5 with a total of 137.5, while Polymarket's board sits at -7.5 and 139.5.

Best Spread Pick Today: Binghamton +7.5

This ticket backs Binghamton to stay within seven points, since the No side wins on any Saint Peter's margin of seven or fewer.

Worth knowing: ESPN's number is a point wider, so Polymarket gives Binghamton one point less cushion than a sportsbook would, and the 51-cent price reflects that. On the board, Binghamton's moneyline price is up 4% while Saint Peter's is down 7%.

At a $100 buy near 51 cents on the No side, this ticket works out to roughly 196 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $189.62, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If Saint Peter's wins by 7 or fewer, or Binghamton wins: Return of $189.62.
• If Saint Peter's wins by 8 or more: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A return of just under 1.9x on a spread of more than seven points.

Buffalo vs Pittsburgh Prediction

Buffalo visits the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh to face the Panthers. Polymarket has Pitt at 96% to win outright and Buffalo at 5%.
ESPN's DraftKings line lists Pitt -18.5 with a total of 152.5, a point above Polymarket's 151.5.

Best Total Pick Today: Under 151.5

Pitt -18.5 and a total of 151.5 imply roughly Pitt 85 and Buffalo 66.5. When a 96% favorite takes control, the late-game clock tends to run and benches empty, which can pull a total below the number.

ESPN's total is a point higher, so Polymarket's Under has one less point of room than a sportsbook's, and the 48-cent price reflects that.

At a $100 buy near 48 cents on the No side, this ticket works out to roughly 208 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $201.06, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If the game stays under 151.5 total points: Return of $201.06.
• If it goes over: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A return of just over 2x, the only spread or total ticket on our board that clears that mark.

Coastal Carolina vs Duke Prediction

No. 2 Duke is back at Cameron Indoor Stadium after opening its season with a win over Army. Coastal Carolina is 0-1 and visiting for just the second meeting between the schools, with Duke winning the first 74-49 in 2009.
There is no Duke moneyline to trade. The Blue Devils are such overwhelming favorites that Polymarket shows no price on their side, with Coastal Carolina at 1%. Polymarket's spread is Duke -40.5 against ESPN's -41.5, while the 149.5 total matches.

Best Total Pick Today: Over 149.5

Duke -40.5 and a total of 149.5 imply roughly Duke 95 and Coastal Carolina 54.5. Duke only needs a scoring night in the mid-90s to get this ticket most of the way there.

Other outlets list a lower total, with Sports Illustrated's betting preview showing 146.5, so Polymarket's 149.5 is a higher bar than some sportsbooks set. A price of 53 cents is a fair ask for a blowout where Duke is the one pushing the score.

At a $100 buy near 53 cents, this ticket works out to roughly 189 shares, and Polymarket's stated return is $182.71, a bit under raw share value because of order book depth and fees.

• If the game goes over 149.5 total points: Return of $182.71.
• If not: the $100 stake is a total loss.

A return of roughly 1.8x on a total that mostly depends on one team's offense.

What's Moving the Market on College Basketball Predictions Today

Prediction markets and prices can move for several reasons, and we can't pin a cause on any of them. Polymarket's arrows show most totals in the games we're covering with red marks, led by Delaware State vs Navy at 22%, UMBC vs Marist at 18% and Hofstra vs Princeton at 16%.

The moneyline arrows tell a similar story in a few spots. McNeese is up 6% and North Texas is down 11%, Princeton is up 6% and Hofstra is down 9%, and Binghamton is up 4% while Saint Peter's is down 7%.

Polymarket's numbers also don't always match the DraftKings lines on ESPN's schedule. Manhattan is -3.5 against -4.5, Saint Peter's is -7.5 against -8.5, and the McNeese vs North Texas total is 141.5 against 140.5, so it pays to compare against the latest NCAAB odds before you trade.

How to Trade These NCAAB Predictions on Polymarket

Ready to get in on these college basketball picks? Here's exactly how to claim the bonus and start trading:

• Read a comprehensive Polymarket review to understand how this exchange operates.
• Follow this guide to trading on Polymarket to learn how to buy your first "Yes" or "No" contract.
• Monitor the relevant tab on Polymarket to stay ahead of the live order book movements.
• When you're ready, sign up with Polymarket promo code ACTION to get started!

📝 POLYMARKET TERMS & CONDITIONS

18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See polymarket.com/tos for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing organization.

Final Thoughts: Best College Basketball Picks Today

Our college basketball predictions today lean on a mix of home favorites, one underdog moneyline and three totals, with every price coming from a live Polymarket ticket.
Polymarket's numbers don't always match the sportsbook lines, so the Manhattan ticket benefits from a looser spread while Binghamton and the Buffalo total each give up a point. Whichever of the best college basketball picks today you play, compare the number on the ticket to the sportsbook line first.
If you want to look past these NCAAB predictions, check the NCAAB futures to see where Duke, Vanderbilt and the rest of the field sit on the season-long board.

Polymarket Promo Code FAQs

What are the best college basketball predictions today?

Our college basketball predictions today cover 10 games, with picks ranging from Vanderbilt to cover 17.5 points to UMBC on the moneyline at 37 cents. Every price comes from a live Polymarket trade ticket.

What are the best college basketball picks today?

The shortest-priced tickets are Princeton's moneyline at 60 cents and McNeese's moneyline at 58 cents. UMBC's moneyline at 37 cents carries the biggest return of our 10 picks.

What are the best NCAAB predictions for November 5?

Our NCAAB predictions split across three moneylines, four spreads and three totals, including Duke's game going over 149.5 and Buffalo vs Pittsburgh staying under 151.5.

How do I use the Polymarket promo code for these picks?

Create a Polymarket account, make a qualifying deposit and enter the promo code during sign-up. Then buy Yes or No contracts on any of the games above.

How do Polymarket college basketball contracts resolve?

Each contract settles when its game is final. A winning share pays out 1 dollar and a losing share pays nothing, so a position either returns its full payout or loses the stake.

Why are Polymarket's lines different from ESPN's lines?

Polymarket sets its own spread and total ladders, so the main line can sit a point or two away from the DraftKings numbers listed on ESPN. Examples in this piece include Manhattan at -3.5 against -4.5 and Saint Peter's at -7.5 against -8.5, so always trade off the number on the ticket.

Why is there no Duke moneyline pick?

Duke is such an overwhelming favorite against Coastal Carolina that Polymarket shows no price on the Blue Devils' moneyline. The live main lines for that game are the spread and the total.

How do I read the return column in these picks tables?

The return column shows the total payout from a 100-dollar buy if the pick wins. It comes straight from the trade ticket where we had one, and from the listed price where we did not.