The most important part of the college basketball betting season is when the play shifts from the nonconference schedule to the conference schedule, and the bettors are expected to shift their attitudes as well. The fundamentals for successful betting remain the same, but there are some key differences between the two types of wagering that need to be taken in to account. Everything from the familiarity and rivalry or lack of rivalry to the intensity of the atmosphere will matter when it comes to conference play, so make sure to consider all angles.

When the North Carolina Tar Heels met the Duke Blue Devils for the second time in conference play, everybody thought that Duke would win and carry on as the ACC leaders. That didn’t happen though as the Tar Heels pulled off the upset, and actually held the highest seed heading in to the ACC championship game when they lost in the rematch against the Blue Devils. Fast-forward to this season, and it is UNC that is now expected to be the favorite and extend its record-winning streak at home, and as if on cue, Duke wins on a last-second three-ball that stuns the basketball world. Whether it is the ACC, the SEC, or the Big East, conference play brings with it familiarity and there are much less mismatches that are pointed out by the pay head bookies. With the intensity amped up, and so much on the line, anything can happen really, so be careful to pay attention when it comes to conference play leading up to the March Madness betting and take the time to understand each matchup.