When it comes to college basketball betting, one of the key points in the season comes when the play switches from the regular non-conference schedule to conference play just over a month in, where some of the biggest rivalries take place every year. While wagering on conference play remains the same in that you still need to pick the team that will score more points, some of the key factors that determine how a game will play out change. These factors are key to breaking down games and picking winners, so they shouldn’t be overlooked, so keep an eye on them before the betting March Madness begins.

Teams that play eachother within the same conference play at least once every year, and in most cases they play twice, so there is some strong familiarity there. Never play a conference game before taking a quick look at the recent past between the two teams, as those numbers could lend a strong indication of what to expect. The intensity usually goes up a notch in conference play as well, particularly in the rivalry games between the top teams, like when Duke plays North Carolina every year. Anything can happen in any game, but it is more likely that things won’t go as expected in these types of games since both teams get so prepared to play. Mismatches are far less common in conference play as programs build to compete against one another, so many teams have similar looks and strategies. Returning players are another key that have a major impact on conference games, so make sure not to overlook the number of experienced players each team has for every Betonline contest.