Both Sites
HOU @ ORE (-7) - 137
GMU @ MD (-18) - 136
MSM @ UK (-27) - 129
DK Only
TEMP @ USC (-10) - 144
MONT @ UW (-13) - 129
FD Only
GTWN @ Duke (-13) - 155
USU (-2) @ LSU - 150
SDAK @ ARK (-14) - 142
Guards
Tre Jones - Duke - FD $7,800 - DK $8,400
Coach K didn’t over-exert Tre Jones last night as he knew very well there would be a more competitive game just a night later. Jones should get back over his 35 minutes, and he should have plenty of success against these Georgetown guards. It’s certainly early in the season, but the Hoyas have been terrible defensively, ranking 190th in defensive efficiency of all Division 1 teams. Jones isn’t going to score 31 very often like he did a few nights ago, but he’s going to be one of the more consistent players in college basketball around that 35-40 fantasy point mark. The price on Jones has come down a bit, and he makes for a solid play in all formats.
Nate Pierre-Louis - Temple - DK $8,300
On DraftKings, I love Nate Pierre-Louis in this match-up. In fact, he’s my favorite overall play on DraftKings. USC plays fast and he’s one of the best guards in the nation in the open floor. He’s been over 45 fantasy points in all three games this season
Sam Merrill - Utah State - FD $6,900
On FanDuel, you want to target this Utah State - LSU match-up. It’s the highest total on the board and the spread is just two points in the Aggies favor. Utah State is now ranked 15th in the country and it’s all on the shoulders of Sam Merrill. He hasn’t been asked to step up just yet with five easy victories, but that changes tonight. Merrill will see well over 30 minutes, and he’ll have the ball in his hands every possession. Against an LSU defense that isn’t great, I’m expecting Merrill to put up 35+ fantasy points in this one and his price isn’t nearly high enough.
Anthony Cowan Jr. - Maryland - FD $6,100 DK $7,400
Cowan Jr. may be small in stature, standing just six-foot and 180 pounds, but he plays huge. Cowan has done it all since his freshman year, and he’s once again averaging four rebounds and 5.5 assists on top of his 12.3 points. That’s only going to go up as Maryland will rely on Cowan and Smith to score when it matters. Maryland is going to handle George Mason with ease, and Cowan Jr. will be around 30 fantasy points once again. The price is too low for a guy that’s going to put up 30 fantasy points consistently when given the opportunity.
Anthony Mathis - Oregon - FD $4,600 DK $6,000
Mathis dropped 30 on the heads of Boise State a few games ago, but has been quiet since. He starts for Oregon and is going to play 25+ minutes every time out. He’s a bit of a streaky scorer, but fills up the stat sheet enough to hit value even if he does go cold. Mathis is far too cheap on both sites and you have to love the value he gives you at guard.
Charles Manning Jr. - LSU - FD $4,400
I like both Javonte Smart and Charles Manning Jr. Smart has been cold over the last two games, but he should see 30+ minutes for his defense and the fantasy points will come. He’s not afraid to shoot the ball, and I think his baseline ends up around 25 this season. His price is low and Smart is one of my favorite cash game plays on FD. As for Manning Jr., he’s cheap and is who LSU leans on for scoring off the bench. They’ll need the offense against Utah State and Manning can rack up fantasy points in a hurry. Both of these cheap LSU guards are in play.
Forwards
Vernon Carey Jr. - Duke - FD $7,300 DK $8,100
We’ve been preaching it all year up to this point. Play Vernon Carey Jr. I’ve had 100% exposure in each of the last two games and it’s more of what we expected. He’s one of the best big men Duke has seen in quite some time and he’s going to have a big season. With the back to back in mind, Carey Jr. played just 22 minutes last night. He put up 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks in just 22 minutes. Holy god. He matches up with a Georgetown squad that ranks 190th in defensive efficiency. Yurtseven is a great offensive player, but doesn’t have the speed to stay with him on the perimeter. Carey Jr. is an animal and his price is going to continue rising. Great cash game and tournament play.
Omer Yurtseven - Georgetown - FD $7,000 DK $7,700
I’m not a big fan of targeting Duke, but freshman Vernon Carey Jr. could have some issues with Omer Yurtseven on the inside. Carey Jr. is a strong raw defender, but it’s going to be one of his weaknesses coming out of college. Yurtseven is a polished big man that can score on anyone he can out-footwork. Yurtseven is a bit contrarian on this slate, but I think he plays 30 minutes and they feed him the ball. You can target Duke on the outside as their defense is stingy as could be. It won’t be easy sailing for Yurtseven, but he’s the Hoya who has the best chance to make this a close game.
Trendon Watford - LSU - FD $4,700
There is no way Trendon Watford should be anywhere near this cheap on FanDuel. He’s been over 10 real-life points in every game so far and he got his first double-double last time out in 33 minutes. This is going to be a fast-paced game and Watford is going to eat in the paint. If I’m choosing between Williams, Days, and Watford, Watford is my favorite. In what’s going to be a tight game, Watford will play 30 minutes once again and he’s my favorite point-per-dollar forward on FanDuel.
Nate Sestina - Kentucky - FD $5,600 DK $6,500
Sestina hasn’t been very impressive to start the year, and it’s certainly not how Kentucky envisioned his first four games would go. He showed what was expected against Eastern Kentucky with 35 fantasy points, and I think he gets back there tonight. Mount St. Mary’s is extremely weak on the interior and Sestina will own the paint. He’s too cheap on both sites and I’m a fan in all formats.
Nick Rakocevic - USC - DK $8,800
On DraftKings, this is a game you want a lot of exposure to. USC runs their offense through Nick Rakocevic and he’s been an absolute animal this season. Over the last three games, Rakocevic has put up 42, 46, and 62 fantasy points. He’s a lock for a double-double and will score easily against a weak Temple interior. We’ll touch on Moorman for value in a minute, but Perry and Moorman have absolutely no chance to stop Rakocevic, who’s five inches taller than both of them. If you can afford him on DraftKings, he’s right up there with Nate Pierre-Louis for upside.
J.P. Moorman - Temple - DK $5,200
We have another DK only play here in this fast-paced Temple - USC game. Moorman is going to play 30+ minutes against USC and Rakocevic will have trouble staying with him on the outside. Moorman is too cheap at $5,200 and while he’s been around 20 fantasy points in every single game, I think he gets closer to 30 here. As long as he can stay away from foul trouble, Moorman makes for a great value in all formats.
Example Lineups
FD
DK
