WANNA PARLAY

Let's talk about one of the most exciting ways to follow college basketball: the parlay. It’s a fantastic way to string together a few picks and turn a night of games into a thrilling ride. But with hundreds of teams and dozens of games on any given Saturday, how do you put one together that has a real chance to succeed? It’s all about making smart, low-risk choices.

Parlays can feel like a lottery ticket sometimes, but they don’t have to be. With a little strategy, you can build a ticket that feels more like a calculated plan than a wild guess. The goal is to find value and avoid unnecessary risks.

Start with Heavy Favorites

The foundation of a safer parlay is built on strong teams playing at home. Look for the top-25 powerhouses hosting unranked opponents. These matchups often feature wide point spreads for a reason. Instead of worrying about whether the favorite will cover the spread, you might consider picking them to win the game outright on the moneyline.

These picks won't offer huge individual returns, but that’s not the point. You are using them as solid anchors. Adding two or three heavy moneyline favorites can boost your parlay’s odds without adding a ton of risk. It’s the smart way to get the ball rolling.

Do Your Homework on Matchups

Beyond just picking the big names, take a few minutes to look at the matchups. A little research goes a long way. Ask yourself a few simple questions:

• How do the teams match up stylistically? Does a fast-paced team face a squad that slows the game to a crawl? Clashes in style can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes.
• Are there any key injuries? A star player sitting out can completely change the dynamic of a game, turning a supposed lock into a real nail-biter.
• How does the team perform on the road? Some college teams are giants at home but look completely different on the road. Don't get caught picking a "great" team that has a history of struggling in hostile environments.

Answering these questions can help you spot potential traps and confirm that your "safe" picks are as solid as they appear.

Don't Get Greedy

This is the golden rule. The temptation to add just one more leg to your parlay to juice the potential payout is strong. Resist it. Every game you add dramatically increases the difficulty of hitting your parlay. A three- or four-team parlay is a reasonable goal. Once you start stretching into five, six, or more teams, you're relying more on luck than skill.

It’s much better to cash a smaller, well-researched parlay than to watch a massive one fail because of a single unpredictable outcome. Keep it simple and focused.

Consider Over/Unders

Sometimes, picking a winner is tough. Maybe two evenly matched teams are facing off, and it feels like a coin flip. In these situations, look at the over/under, which is the total combined score of both teams.

You might find value here. For instance, if two high-powered offenses that play little defense are squaring off, the "over" could be a solid choice. Conversely, two gritty, defensive-minded teams might make the "under" look appealing. Exploring totals is a great way to add a leg to your parlay without having to pick a side.

Building a low-risk college basketball parlay is about being disciplined and doing a bit of research. By focusing on heavy favorites, understanding the matchups, and keeping your parlay small, you give yourself a much better chance to end the night with a win. 

If you think you have what it takes to build the best parlays and compete against other players for real cash prizes, download the Wanna Parlay app.