Highest Scoring Teams:
(by Implied Points & Spreads per KenPom)
Marquette -- 72 Points (-2 vs. Butler)
Houston -- 70 Points (-6 vs. Wichita State)
Butler -- 70 Points (+2 vs. Marquette)
Connecticut -- 67 Points (-1 vs. Cincinnati)
Cincinnati -- 66 Points (+1 vs. Connecticut)
Wichita State -- 64 Points (+6 vs. Houston)
UCF -- 63 Points (-1 vs. Tulsa)
Ohio State -- 62 Points (-1 vs. Wisconsin)
Tulsa -- 62 Points (+1 vs. UCF)
TOP PLAYS
Markus Howard - Marquette ($9,300 DK / $8,500 FD)
No surprise here. Markus Howard usually owns the highest DFS ceiling on any CBB slate he’s on and that’s the case again today. Marquette’s stud point guard is coming off a 31-point effort on 21 shot attempts against DePaul a week ago - and this is par for the course for him this season. Howard is averaging 30 points per game over the last ten outings while regularly taking 15-25 shots as the offense revolves around his scoring prowess. Out of every college basketball player this season, Howard owns the highest shots share of anyone (43%) and the third-highest usage rate (38%) while drawing the third-most fouls per 40 mins (7.8). While most of Howard’s DFS value comes from his pure points scoring, he usually gets there more often than not because of how many shots he’s putting up and how much he drives to the rim. When Howard faced Butler a couple weeks ago, he scored 26 points en route to 39 DK points. Plus, Howard is averaging 10 more DK points per game when at home - yet another reason to seriously consider him in all formats.
Jarron Cumberland - Cincinnati ($7,900 DK / $7,600 FD)
While Cumberland got off to a slow start this season as he recovered from an off-season injury, he’s now fully healthy and he’s been lights-out since conference play began. Over the past four games, in particular, Cumberland is averaging 22.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 assists and 40.2 DK points as he’s seen an increase in usage and shot volume. The Cincinnati offense revolves around its senior point guard and that has become more pronounced against AAC competition with Cumberland now more healthy and conditioned to take on a bigger workload. When Cumberland played UConn a month ago, he had 29 DK points - but we can expect more than that with him being on a hot streak lately with a bigger role on offense.
Kamar Baldwin - Butler ($8,000 DK / $7,300 FD)
Baldwin has a lower DFS floor than most high-priced guards, but all we have to do is look back at his previous matchup vs. Marquette to know we can explode to be the highest-scoring player on the slate. A couple weeks ago, Baldwin scored 31 real points and 53.5 DK points in a high-scoring, overtime game against Marquette where he was heavily involved in all facets. During conference play, the senior combo-guard’s involvement has increased even more as the Butler offense leans more on his shoulders. Against Big East opponents, Baldwin owns a 34% shots share and 30% usage rate - marks that are among the top four in the conference. Marquette loves to play fast and in order for Butler to match that, Baldwin will need to be at the top of his game - something he proved the last time these teams faced off.
VALUE PLAYS
Martins Igbanu - Tulsa ($6,100 DK / $5,200 FD)
Tulsa has one of the big injury situations to monitor today and it could result in Martins Igbanu having a larger offensive role than normal. One of Tulsa’s best players, Brandon Rachal, is questionable to play today with an ankle sprain he suffered on Thursday. He and Igbanu both lead the team in usage rate and shot volume and if one of them is out, then we should be able to trust the other to take on a bigger workload offensively. That’s Igbanu today if Rachal ends up sitting - and the senior big man is coming off a pair of big performances in the last three games where he scored 28 points with 14+ shot attempts in both. We could see another game like that today if Rachal sits.
James Bouknight - Connecticut ($5,900 DK / $4,900 FD)
UConn has shaken up its starting rotation over the last couple games and it’s resulted in Bouknight having a bigger role on offense. We’ve seen starting point guard Alterique Gilbert come off the bench the last two games after he missed a game due to personal reasons, starting power forward Akok Akok relegated to the bench last game and key reserve Sidney Wilson still working his way back from a knee injury. All in all, Bouknight is seeing an increase in offensive responsibilities. During conference play, the freshman leads the Huskies in usage rate (27%) and shots share (28%) - and his DFS production has increased with each of the last six games, resulting in 33 DK points in the past outing.
Duane Washington - Ohio State ($5,200 DK / $4,400 FD)
As Ohio State still deals with the absence of D.J. Carton, a number of Buckeyes have benefited but especially Duane Washington. The sophomore still comes off the bench but he’s seeing the most offensive usage and shot volume on the team when he’s on the court as a score-first sixth-man. Against Michigan last time out, Washington put up 25 DK points with his 17 points scored on 14 shot attempts. This trend will likely continue with Washington getting the bulk of the scoring opportunities when he checks into the game in an “instant offense” role.
Others to Consider:
Kaleb Wesson - Ohio State ($8,700 DK / $7,200 FD)
Sean McDermott - Butler ($7,000 DK / $5,900 FD)
Micah Potter - Wisconsin ($5,800 DK / $4,700 FD)
Dexter Dennis - Wichita State ($5,100 DK / $4,400 FD)
Chris Harris - Houston ($4,200 DK / $4,500 FD)
Tyler Wahl - Wisconsin ($3,900 DK / $3,700 FD)
DraftKings Example Lineup:
G: Markus Howard - MARQ ($9,300)
G: Jarron Cumberland - CIN ($7,900)
G: Kamar Baldwin - BUTLE ($8,000)
F: Martins Igbanu - TLSA ($6,100)
F: Chris Harris - HOU ($4,200)
F: Tyler Wahl - WISC ($3,900)
U: Dexter Dennis - WICH ($5,100)
U: Duane Washington - OSU ($5,200)
FanDuel Example Lineup:
G: Markus Howard - MARQ ($8,500)
G: Jarron Cumberland - CIN ($7,600)
G: Kamar Baldwin - BUT ($7,300)
G: Duane Washington - OSU ($4,400)
F: Kaleb Wesson - OSU ($7,200)
F: Sean McDermott - BUT ($5,900)
F: Martins Igbanu - TULS ($5,200)
U: Tyler Wahl - WIS ($3,700)