Highest Scoring Teams:
(by Implied Points & Spreads per KenPom)
Creighton -- 74 Points (-6 vs. Xavier)
Michigan State -- 73 Points (-1 vs. Minnesota)
Minnesota -- 72 Points (+1 vs. Michigan State)
San Diego State -- 71 Points (-9 vs. UNLV)
Houston -- 71 Points (-13 vs. South Florida) **DK ONLY**
Xavier -- 68 Points (+6 vs. Creighton)
Maryland -- 67 Points (-1 vs. Indiana)
Indiana -- 66 Points (+1 vs. Maryland)
Top Guards
Malachi Flynn - San Diego State ($8,200 DK / $7,900 FD)
While San Diego State has rarely been on DFS CBB slates this season, we finally get a chance to have exposure to the lone remaining undefeated team in college basketball - and the Aztecs’ best player is Malachi Flynn. The junior point guard does a little bit of everything as the team’s lead ball-handler and scorer and he’s averaging 34 DK points over the last ten games with per-game marks of 17 points, 5.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals during this span. Flynn hasn’t put up less than 32 DK points in six straight games and his DFS floor is consistently safe because of his high involvement on both ends of the court. There aren’t many players on this slate who can consistently put up numbers like Flynn and he’s a very solid pay-up option at guard.
DeJon Jarreau - Houston ($6,600 DK Only)
If you’re playing on DraftKings today, it’s probably smart to have exposure to DeJon Jarreau as he’s caught fire lately in a headlining role in Houston’s offense. Jarreau has put up 41 and 47 DK points in the past two games, respectively, while averaging 15 points, 10.5 rebounds, seven assists and 3.5 blocks/steals per game in these outings. It makes sense that his price tag has now increased by $1,200 after these slate-breaking outbursts. The junior’s recent dominance is really interesting because it’s clear he’s responding very positively to his return to a starting role over the last three games - he came off the bench in the previous seven outings despite being a regular starter to begin the year. Jarreau had been a solid bench scorer for Houston before these last two performances, but he’s playing a much bigger role on offense now that he’s back starting and running the point.
Denzel Mahoney - Creighton ($5,500 DK / $5,200 FD)
Ever since Denzel Mahoney joined the team in mid-December, he’s been a much-needed offensive weapon for Creighton and is getting a ton of usage on offense. In ten games thus far, the junior transfer has scored in double figures in all but two games and he already leads the team in offensive usage rate (29%) and shots share (29%). It’s certainly impressive to see Mahoney be this much involved offensively not only because of his late introduction to the team, but also since he comes off the bench in a sixth-man role. When he’s on the court - which is about 20-30 minutes per game - Creighton looks for Mahoney to be instant offense as they seemingly allow him to create his own shots and drive to the rim as much as he wants. He’s averaging 20 DK points on the season, but he’s picked it up lately with 30.5, 22 and 23 DK points over the last three games, respectively.
KyKy Tandy - Xavier ($4,000 DK / $4,200 FD)
The Musketeers’ senior guard Quentin Goodin is a game-time decision today after he sat out Wednesday’s game and failed to practice on Friday and Saturday. If Goodin ends up sitting a second straight game, KyKy Tandy becomes a very solid value play with an increase in playing time and offensive role. With Goodin out last game, Tandy played a season-high 28 minutes and scored 18 points and 28.5 DK points with four made three-pointers. Although he didn’t start that outing with Xavier choosing to begin the game with a big lineup, Tandy could possibly enter the starting rotation today if Goodin remains out. Xavier’s opponent, Creighton, mostly plays small which will force Xavier to match them with more guards on the court than usual.
Other Guards to Consider:
Marcus Carr - Minnesota ($8,500 DK / $7,600 FD)
Cassius Winston - Michigan State ($8,000 DK / $7,500 FD)
Paul Scruggs - Xavier ($7,200 DK / $5,900 FD)
Aaron Wiggins - Maryland ($6,000 DK / $5,800 FD)
Tomas Woldetensae - Virginia ($3,900 DK / $3,900 FD)
Top Forwards
Daniel Oturu - Minnesota ($9,100 DK / $8,800 FD)
If you’ve played DFS CBB at all this year, you know about Minnesota’s big man who’s been a stud anchor in many winning lineups. Daniel Oturu is averaging an impressive 21.3 points, 12.1 rebounds and 43 DK points over the last ten games and, outside of a dud last game, he had put up at least 39 DK points in eight straight previous outings. The sophomore has been mostly matchup-proof this year until Ohio State finally held him in check on Thursday when he had just 24 DK points on the road - his lowest output in a while. However, Oturu should be able to bounce back at home today - especially considering he had 43 DK points (22 points & 10 rebounds) at Michigan State earlier this month. While the Spartans have a stud big man of their own in Xavier Tillman, Oturu already proved he can excel in this matchup - and he should be a safe cash play again today.
Naji Marshall - Xavier ($8,000 DK / $7,300 FD)
Although Marshall’s price tag has risen today, he’s still very much in play as he will likely have the ball in his hands a ton on offense and will be his usual stat-stuffing self in this matchup. The junior wing had a monster game when he played Creighton a couple weeks ago, with his 42 DK points, 21 points scored, nine rebounds and seven assists. As Xavier lost that matchup at home, Marshall was the team’s main offensive playmaker against a smaller Creighton lineup - and we should see something similar today. Plus, Marshall will likely have to play the point-forward role more than usual with Quentin Goodin possibly sitting out a second straight game. During Big East play, Marshall has emerged as the go-to option on offense as he leads the team in usage rate (28%) and shot volume (27%) with a 23% assist rate - all top 10 marks in the conference.
Matt Mitchell - San Diego State ($5,500 DK / $4,700 FD)
Mitchell had been a solid bench contributor for the Aztecs earlier this season, but he’s been a lot more valuable in DFS lately since entering the starting rotation. The junior power forward has now started the past seven games in place of the injured Nathan Mensah and he’s been one of the team’s best players over this span. Since becoming a regular starter, Mitchell is averaging 23.4 DK points per game and he’s scored in double figures in all but one of those seven starts. His ability to step up and fill the void left by Mensah is one of the big reasons why San Diego State remains undefeated this season - and the team will continue to lean on him as a solid secondary scoring option behind stud PG Malachi Flynn.
Joey Brunk - Indiana ($5,400 DK / $5,700 FD)
If you’re simply looking for a safe 20-25 DK points for cash games today, Joey Brunk is the guy you want to lock in until his price tag continues to rise. The Butler transfer has been an unsung hero for Indiana this season as his solid play at center allows freshman power forward Trayce Jackson-Davis to do his thing on the offensive end and avoid guarding the opposing bigger-bodied centers in the Big Ten. Brunk, and his 6-foot-11 frame, was a rebounding machine earlier in conference play with double-digit boards in five of six games. Although his rebounds are down over the last two games, Brunk has picked it up on the offensive end by scoring 16 and 14 points in back-to-back outings. He’s averaging 24 DK points over the last eight games and put up at least 21 DK points in seven of those. When he faced Maryland earlier this season, Brunk had 22.5 DK points with his nine points and 10 boards - and he should have no problem duplicating those numbers as the Terps lack depth and size in the frontcourt to match up with him down low and on the boards.
Other Forwards to Consider:
Xavier Tillman - Michigan State ($8,800 DK / $8,300 FD)
Jeriah Horne - Tulsa ($6,000 DK / $5,600 FD)
Jason Carter - Xavier ($5,700 DK / $4,900 FD)
Donta Scott - Maryland ($4,400 DK / $3,900 FD)
DraftKings Example Lineup:
G: Malachi Flynn - SDSU ($8,200)
G: DeJon Jarreau - HOU ($6,600)
G: KyKy Tandy - XAV ($4,000)
F: Daniel Oturu - MINN ($9,100)
F: Matt Mitchell - SDSU ($5,500)
F: Joey Brunk - IU ($5,400)
U: Denzel Mahoney - CRE ($5,500)
U: Jason Carter - XAV ($5,700)
FanDuel Example Lineup:
G: Malachi Flynn - SDSU ($7,900)
G: Aaron Wiggins - MD ($5,800)
G: Denzel Mahoney - CRE ($5,200)
G: KyKy Tandy - XAV ($4,200)
F: Daniel Oturu - MINN ($8,800)
F: Naji Marshall - XAV ($7,300)
F: Matt Mitchell - SDSU ($4,700)
U: Paul Scruggs - XAV ($5,900)