Highest Scoring Teams:
(by Implied Points & Spreads per KenPom)

  • Marquette -- 79 Points (-3 vs. Creighton)
  • LSU -- 78 Points (-2 vs. Kentucky)
  • Creighton -- 76 Points (+3 vs. Marquette)
  • Kentucky -- 76 Points (+2 vs. LSU)
  • Maryland -- 74 Points (-16 vs. Northwestern)
  • Dayton -- 74 Points (-4 vs. VCU)
  • West Virginia -- 73 Points (-12 vs. Oklahoma State)
  • Florida State -- 72 Points (-11 vs. Pittsburgh)
  • Florida -- 71 Points (-4 vs. Arkansas)
  • VCU -- 70 Points (+4 vs. Dayton)

Top Guards

Markus Howard - Marquette ($9,400 DK / $8,500 FD)

Marquette’s stud scorer is always one of the top plays on any DFS CBB slate, but even more so tonight as he’s the clear-cut best overall player in the highest-scoring, fastest-paced game on the board. This Creighton-Marquette matchup is definitely one we want to focus on with our lineup-building tonight and it makes Markus Howard really hard to fade in all formats, despite him being the highest-priced player on the slate. The senior point guard’s 42% shots share is tops in all of college basketball and his 38% usage rate is second. This high usage in Marquette’s offense consistently keeps his DFS floor and ceiling very high every game. Over the last ten games, Howard is averaging 29 real points and 40.7 DK points per outing and more often than not he’s performing better than those numbers. Although he “only” put up 25 DK points against Creighton earlier this season, we should expect a better showing this time around since Howard gets to play at home, where he’s shooting better and averaging more DFS points than on the road.

Ty-Shon Alexander - Creighton ($8,000 DK / $6,900 FD)

As mentioned above, this Marquette-Creighton game is one we definitely want to target overall on this slate and it’s probably a good idea to get some exposure to the Bluejays in addition to Markus Howard. Creighton’s offense is largely led by its talented trio of guards, but there’s a reason Ty-Shon Alexander is more expensive than Marcus Zegarowski and Mitch Ballock. On Saturday, Alexander put up 50 DK points against DePaul with his 24 points scored, eight assists and five steals. This is the type of DFS upside the junior shooting guard has, and he also showed that ceiling in Creighton’s previous meeting with Marquette when he had 47.5 DK points. Although we shouldn’t expect a repeat of those performances, we can reasonably get 30-35 DK points from Alexander in this fast-paced matchup as he’s averaging 32 DK points over the last ten games by producing in all stat categories. 

Devin Vassell & M.J. Walker - Florida State

We have a huge situation to monitor from Florida State that could determine a top play on tonight’s slate. Devin Vassell ($7,900 DK / $6,400 FD) sat out Saturday’s game for an undisclosed reason, but there’s a chance he’s back tonight. Head coach Leonard Hamilton didn’t provide much clarity as to why Vassell was out but some reports suggest that he’s not injured and rather was benched because he was out past curfew with former teammates who were in town over the NBA All-Star break. We’ll need clarity beforehand, but Vassell would be a solid expensive option tonight if he is indeed back in the lineup. Pittsburgh is not good at defending the three-pointer and Vassell is shooting a team-high 46% from three during ACC play. If Vassell winds up being out for a second straight game, then M.J. Walker likely gets the biggest boost in value for Florida State. Walker ($5,000 DK / $4,500 FD) stepped up over the weekend in Vassell’s absence as he went five-for-nine from three-point range and put up 19.5 DK points with an increase in shot volume. During conference play, Walker’s 41% three-point shooting is second-best on the team behind Vassell and he would benefit from facing Pitt’s defense like Vassell would. 

Immanuel Quickley - Kentucky ($6,500 DK / $5,800 FD)

One of the top games to target tonight is this Kentucky-LSU matchup and that puts Immanuel Quickley firmly in play as UK’s leading scorer this season. Although the Wildcats have a ton of talent in their starting five, it’s Quickley who has emerged as their best scorer during conference play. He is averaging 17.4 PPG over the last ten games, while going over that number in four of the last five. Quickley’s three-point shooting will also make him more valuable than usual in tonight’s matchup. LSU’s defense does not defend the perimeter well and they are allowing the conference’s second-most opposing points via the three. Meanwhile, Quickley is by far the best three-point shooter for Kentucky, and he’s making 43% of his team-high 58 attempts during SEC play thus far. If he gets hot from deep, it’s easy to envision a scenario where Quickley puts up 30+ DK points with ease, something he’s done a number of times over the last ten games. 

Xavier Pinson - Missouri ($5,700 DK / $5,200 FD)

In the mid-range on this slate, one of the best tournament options is a guy who’s benefiting from a key injury to Missouri’s rotation lately. Mark Smith will miss a sixth straight game tonight, and Xavier Pinson has stepped up in his absence. Pinson has now started the last five games with Smith out and he’s quietly become Mizzou’s top offensive weapon during this span. The sophomore leads the Tigers in offensive usage rate (30%), shots share (29%), and assist rate (29%) during conference play and all those marks are top five in the SEC. Pinson has exploded for 24 and 28 real points in two of the last three games and thus put up 39 DK points in both outings. The Missouri offense revolves around Pinson’s playmaking with Smith out and that should continue tonight at home, where he’s performing a lot better than on the road this year. Still, it’s tough to trust him as a cash play but that doesn’t rule out Pinson as one of the better GPP plays as a salary-saver. 

Charles Manning Jr. - LSU ($3,500 DK / $3,900 FD)

Manning was LSU’s top bench player this season before an injury sidelined him for eight games over the past month, but he’s back on the radar now that he’s healthy again. The sophomore returned to action on Saturday and immediately saw 16 minutes off the bench while providing 9.25 DK points. It’s encouraging to see him get that much run in his first game back and we should expect Manning to ramp up his playing time moving forward. Before his injury, Manning was regularly getting 20-25 minutes in a key reserve role as LSU plays with a tight rotation. Marlon Taylor has been the Tigers’ sixth-man lately with Manning out, but head coach Will Wade has said both will be used a lot as the season wraps up because they provide length and defensive intensity off the bench. Manning was priced about $1000 more than he is now before he got hurt and usually put up 15-25 DK points, so he’s a potential value flier on this slate in a high-scoring matchup with Kentucky. 

Other Guards to Consider:

  • Skylar Mays - LSU ($8,100 DK / $7,500 FD)
  • Anthony Cowan - Maryland ($7,900 DK / $7,200 FD)
  • D’Mitrik Trice - Wisconsin ($6,700 DK / $6,100 FD)
  • Aaron Wiggins - Maryland ($5,500 DK / $4,800 FD)
  • Brevin Pritzl - Wisconsin ($5,200 DK / $4,500 FD)
  • Desi Sills - Arkansas ($4,700 DK / $4,800 FD)

Top Forwards

Obi Toppin - Dayton ($8,900 DK / $8,300 FD)

There’s not much more than can be said about Dayton’s Obi Toppin that we haven’t already covered in past DFS CBB playbooks. To put it bluntly, Toppin deserves to be strongly considered whenever he’s on the slate as he’s quickly become one of the best overall players in all of college basketball and owns a DFS floor and ceiling on par with anyone in the country. The sophomore power forward is averaging 38 DK points over his last ten games and has failed to put up 30 or more DK points just once during this span. Even on the road against VCU, Toppin should have no problem being one of the highest DFS scorers on this slate. When Dayton faced VCU a month ago, Toppin finished with 42 DK points thanks to his 24 points scored and plenty of ancillary stats thrown in. His size and skill presented a clear mismatch in that previous meeting and it’ll be tough for VCU to contain him again tonight, a trend we’ve seen in nearly all of Toppin’s conference games in the Atlantic 10. 

Jalen Smith - Maryland ($8,600 DK / $8,000 FD)

Maryland’s dominant big man has looked like one of the best players in the country recently and he’s in another favorable matchup tonight, making him one of the elite options on this slate. Jalen Smith has recorded a double-double in eight straight games and is averaging 39 DK points over the last ten outings. As a stud rebounder, shot-blocker, and scorer in the paint, Smith is the main reason why Maryland is ranked among the top ten in the country and there’s no reason to expect him to continue his hot streak tonight. Northwestern is the worst rebounding team in the Big Ten, and Smith excelled against them last month when he had 48 DK points with his 25 points scored and 11 boards. Another stat also favors Smith in this matchup, though. Northwestern’s defense allows the most opposing points via the three-pointer in conference play, and Smith’s 47% three-point shooting is the second-best in the Big Ten. His development as a true three-point threat makes him one of the best forward plays on this slate as he can provide production in that area in addition to his rebounding, shot-blocking, and pure scoring down low. 

Keyontae Johnson - Florida ($7,400 DK / $6,100 FD)

Admittedly, it’s been tough to pinpoint the best DFS plays on Florida this season, but Keyontae Johnson has been one of the more consistent performers lately. The sophomore is putting up a solid 28 DK points over the last ten games, while averaging 13.8 points and 6.9 rebounds during this span. Johnson should have a favorable advantage on the boards tonight against an Arkansas squad that plays fast and is one of the worst rebounding teams in the SEC. Although Kerry Blackshear is overall the best rebounder for Florida this year, it’s Johnson who’s been grabbing boards recently. He has recorded a double-double in two recent games, and is averaging eight boards per game over the last five. We could be looking at 30 or more DK points from Johnson in this matchup and that makes him a solid cash play on DK and a pretty big value on FD. 

Patrick Williams - Florida State ($5,500 DK / $4,900 FD)

Although he doesn’t start for the Seminoles, Patrick Williams is playing a key role off the bench ever since he returned from an injury in late January. In Williams’ last four games, he’s averaging 13 real points and 26.5 DK points in about 24 minutes per outing as a reserve. He could be one of the best values on this slate with price tags that haven’t totally adjusted yet to his recent performances. Williams’ offensive role could reduce tonight if Devin Vassell returns, but it’s clear that he’s one of the best talents on this team that has some NBA scouts pushing him into draft lottery conversations. Pittsburgh has one of the worst defenses in the ACC and their frontcourt could struggle to contain Walker’s strength and athleticism in the paint tonight. 

Adrio Bailey - Arkansas ($4,600 DK / $4,600 FD)

Bailey has been a starter all year for Arkansas but his offensive role and playing time have increased lately with Isaiah Joe sidelined. With Joe out the last four games, Bailey is averaging 9.3 points in 28 minutes per game, which are decent enough increases over his 6.6 points and 23 minutes per game averages overall this season. In these four outings, the senior is putting up 20 DK points per game, which is also a step up from what he had been doing before Joe got hurt. If he’s providing 20 DFS points at these prices, he’s a solid value on this slate with these cheaper price tags. Plus, Bailey’s size will be needed more than usual tonight against Florida’s talented frontcourt. 

Other Forwards to Consider:

  • Freddie Gillespie - Baylor ($7,300 DK / $6,400 FD)
  • Trendon Watford - LSU ($7,100 DK / $5,600 FD)
  • Brendan Bailey - Marquette ($5,800 DK / $5,300 FD)
  • Christian Bishop - Creighton ($5,100 DK / $4,700 FD)
  • Donta Scott - Maryland ($4,600 DK / $4,200 FD)
  • Kobe Brown - Missouri ($4,000 DK / $4,200 FD)

 

DraftKings Example Lineup:

G: Immanuel Quickley - UK ($6,500)

G: Xavier Pinson - MIZZ ($5,700)

G: Charles Manning Jr. - LSU ($3,500)

F: Obi Toppin - DAY ($8,900)

F: Jalen Smith - MD ($8,600)

F: Patrick Williams - FSU ($5,500)

U: Adrio Bailey - ARK ($4,600)

U: D’Mitrik Trice - WISC ($6,700)

 

FanDuel Example Lineup:

G: Markus Howard - MARQ ($8,500)

G: Ty-Shon Alexander - CRE ($6,900)

G: Immanuel Quickley - UK ($5,800)

G: Xavier Pinson - MIZZ ($5,200)

F: Jalen Smith - MD ($8,000)

F: Keyontae Johnson - UF ($6,100)

F: Trendon Watford - LSU ($5,600)

U: Charles Manning Jr. - LSU ($3,900)