THE SLATE (DraftKings Only):

(w/ Implied Team Totals & Odds via KenPom)

4:30 pm ET -- St. John’s (73) at Seton Hall (79) -- 152 total

5 pm ET -- Appalachian State (65) at Charlotte (68) -- 133 total

7 pm ET -- Omaha (61) at Kansas (83) -- 144 total

7 pm ET -- Villanova (76) at Georgetown (66) -- 142 total

7 pm ET -- Nebraska (68) at Creighton (82) -- 150 total

9 pm ET -- Iowa State (75) at Iowa (85) -- 160 total

9:30 pm ET -- Marquette (68) at UCLA (71) -- 139 total

Top Guards

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Marcus ZegarowskiCRENEB830030.19  
This in-state rivalry matchup between Nebraska and Creighton is projected to be one of the slate’s highest-scoring games - and there are tons of DFS targets from both sides. Zegarowski is the offensive catalyst for Creighton as he leads the team’s regulars in offensive usage rate (27%), shot volume (26%) and assist rate (32%) while running the point. With both teams preferring to play quick, Zegarowski’s floor and ceiling are both very high in this uptempo matchup as he plays a big role in Creighton’s success. He fills the stat sheet in all categories and was impressive against Kansas earlier this week when he put up 30 DK points with a solid 16-4-6 stat line. We should see a similar performance tonight and it makes him a strong cash game option.
Dalano BantonNEBCRE790037.2  
Banton’s DFS floor will be consistently high every game because of his point-forward role for Nebraska. Through five games, the Western Kentucky transfer is averaging a stat-stuffing line of 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and three blocks/steals - good for 37 or more DK points in four of those outings. In Nebraska’s two toughest games so far, Banton put up 39 DK points vs. Nevada and then 37 DK points vs. Georgia Tech while having plenty of stats in all categories. He’ll be a great cash game play all season and is more trustworthy than teammate Teddy Allen, who is more dependent on pure point scoring. Banton will have a lot of responsibility as a scorer, rebounder and passer in this high-scoring matchup with Creighton.
Jahvon BlairGUVU770032.25  
We got a glimpse of how good Blair could be when he became Georgetown’s go-to scorer late in the season last year with Mac McClung in and out of the lineup. With McClung gone, it’s Blair’s offense to run - and he has not disappointed. From his shooting guard role, the senior leads the Hoyas in shot volume and offensive usage rate as he’s 20.3 PPG and 32 DK points per game - while also adding in production from other stats for a good DFS floor. The matchup vs. Villanova is a bit tougher, but Blair should have the ball in his hands on nearly every possession while playing a large share of minutes in a tight rotation. He’s a great GPP play at this price tag.
Collin GillespieVUGU750028.2  
Although Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is the headliner for this Villanova team, it’s Gillespie who runs the point and is very integral to Nova’s success this season. The senior will get a paced-up matchup vs. a quick tempo Georgetown team - and that will help Gillespie rack up plenty of DFS production in all stat categories. He hasn’t outperformed this price tag much this season, but we got a good look at his ceiling with a 40 DK point effort vs. Virginia Tech earlier in the year. With how much Nova relies on its starting rotation and Gillespie being so important as a passer and floor general on offense, expect a big game from the vet in this rivalry matchup vs. the Hoyas.

Value Guards

 

Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
D.J. CartonMARQUCLA520021.15  
Although he started the year coming off the bench, Carton has now started two straight and he looks to have firmly taken over the starting point guard role from Symir Torrence. It honestly was only a matter of time until Carton became more involved for Marquette after he joined the team this offseason following his transfer from Ohio State. He was a good two-way guard for the Buckeyes last season and he seems to have filled right in as Markus Howard’s replacement in the rotation - although he’s no Markus Howard. In his first start, Carton put up 28 DK points vs. Wisconsin and was arguably Marquette’s best player in the win. We should expect 30+ minutes and a strong DFS floor game for an affordable price tonight.
Jalen HarrisGUVU430019.56  
It’s not often we get a starting point guard playing big minutes priced this low - but that’s what we’re getting with Harris on this slate. The senior has stepped right into a starting role with Georgetown after transferring from Arkansas this offseason. Harris is the top assist man for the Hoyas as he runs the point and serves as a great ball-handling complement to Jahvon Blair in the backcourt. In Georgetown’s two toughest games thus far - against West Virginia and Navy - Harris played a significant role with 28+ minutes and at least 25 DK points in both. His floor is usually safe with his assist numbers and he’s a strong value at sub-5k. The Hoyas play their starters heavy minutes without much backcourt depth - so we should expect Harris to play a ton in this rivalry game vs. Villanova.
Johnny JuzangUCLAMARQ430016.25  
The Kentucky transfer finally made his season debut on Wednesday when logged 20 minutes off the bench. In those limited minutes, Juzang put up 16 DK points with his 10 points scored and three boards in a blowout win for UCLA. We should start to see Juzang get more playing time with a bigger role in the rotation as he returns from a foot injury. Although he was unable to carve out any type of significant role with Kentucky, this is still a former top-30 high school recruit who is more talented than some Bruins already. He’s worth a shot in GPP’s for this cheap price - and would be a cash lock if he somehow earns a starting role.
Bryce ThompsonKUOMAHA400011.62  
As much as we’d like to play Jayhawks on tonight’s slate, it’s really hard to trust any of them in a likely blowout win over mid-major Nebraska-Omaha. Obviously any of their studs are in play, but limit exposure to GPP’s when it comes to Jalen Wilson ($8500), Christian Braun ($7800), Ochai Agbaji ($7400) or Marcus Garrett ($6500). One cheap avenue to Kansas, though, is backup shooting guard Bryce Thompson. The freshman hasn’t played a big role on a loaded team so far, but he could get more run against easier competition where the starters hit the bench for longer stretches. We saw Thompson put up 16 DK points in 22 minutes with a 24% usage rate in a blowout win earlier this season vs. Washburn. It’s a dart throw to expect anything here, but Thompson is worth a good look in GPP’s for possible 4x or 5x value.

Other Guards to Consider:

Rasir Bolton - Iowa State ($8,000)

Teddy Allen - Nebraska ($7,000)

Joe Wieskamp - Iowa ($6,800)

Justin Moore - Villanova ($6,200)

Donald Carey - Georgetown ($5,100)

CJ Fredrick - Iowa ($4,800)

Myles Cale - Seton Hall ($4,500)

Top Forwards

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Luka GarzaIOWAISU990053.44  
If you played Garza last time when he was $9500, then you know he’s worth every penny. The National Player of the Year frontrunner was dominant against UNC earlier this week when he dropped 48 DK points with an easy double-double and four blocks. He’ll be doing that all season long as a stud center in a high-scoring, fast-paced Iowa offense - and we should expect another big game tonight. Iowa State is terrible at rebounding without any size to match up with Garza in the post - and this game features the highest total of the night. If you can make it work - which you should prioritize in cash games - lock Garza in and figure out the rest.
Julian ChampagnieSTJNSHU840039.75  
This Big East battle will be one of the highest-scoring of the slate, featuring two fast-paced teams and a game total in the 150’s. Although St. John’s is tough to predict from a DFS perspective with a deep rotation - Champagnie is the one guy we can usually count on every time. After missing the first two games with an ankle injury, the sophomore power forward is now firmly locked into the starting lineup with a big offensive role. Champagnie leads the team in usage rate (28%) and has a whopping 35% shots share - numbers that are even more impressive when you consider how deep this rotation can be. We should expect St. John’s to lean on his versatile scoring and playmaking in a high-scoring conference battle with Seton Hall. He makes for one of the best GPP options in the expensive end if you pivot off Garza.
Jeremiah Robinson-EarlVUGU810031.95  
If you’re fading Luka Garza at his expensive price tag tonight, then Robinson-Earl makes for a fantastic cash game pivot at forward. The sophomore big man leads Villanova in offensive usage rate (25%) and shot volume (25%) and is a nightly double-double threat as a force inside. He should have success against Georgetown’s frontcourt as the most talented player in the paint and in a paced-up matchup overall. We’ve seen him put up 30+ DK points in three games already and we should see that type of DFS production yet again. He’s a bit too cheap for what his real floor and ceiling are.
Sandro MamukelashviliSHUSTJN760034.29  
To be frank, this is a mispricing by DK and it should result in high ownership for Seton Hall’s best player. There’s no reason for Mamukelashvili to be priced below 8k - let alone be cheaper than teammate Jared Rhoden right now. This decrease in pricing is because Sandro put up just 15 DK points last time out in a blowout win over Wagner where he only played 19 minutes. He’s a much better player than that and will easily outperform this price tag. The big man has put up 40+ DK points in three games already and he should be right around that number in a fast-paced, high-scoring matchup vs. St. John’s. With Myles Powell gone, it’s Sandro’s offense and he’s the top scoring option on this team. Lock him into cash lineups and don’t think twice.

Value Forwards

 

Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Solomon YoungISUIOWA530019.38  
We found out with UNC how risky it is to play any opposing forward against Luka Garza, but the price is a little too low for Young tonight. At 6-foot-8, the senior is Iowa State’s starting center - and the team will need his toughness down low to make life difficult for Garza if the Cyclones want to win. We saw a ceiling game from Young last time out vs. South Dakota State when he dropped 24 real points and 33 DK points while logging 30 minutes. We can’t expect that, but it’s realistic to expect 20 or more DK points in a faster-paced matchup with Iowa. If he can stay out of foul trouble and grab tons of rebounds in this uptempo situation, Young will be a great GPP play.
Damien JeffersonCRENEB500019.56  
Jefferson doesn’t receive the same praise as other Creighton players - Zegarowski, Mahoney, Ballock or Bishop - but the Bluejays’ “other” starter can quietly provide a cash game floor. Against Kansas last game, the wing/power forward had 22 DK points and was a factor as a rebounder and cleaning up the boards offensively to return value. He should have a similar role and DFS value in another uptempo matchup with Nebraska. At 6-foot-5, we’ll likely see Jefferson see a safe amount of minutes as a bigger body for the Huskers’ taller lineup. He’s great for cash in this price range.
Cody RileyUCLAMARQ490020.8  
Rostering Cody Riley in DFS this year has admittedly been a roller coaster. He started out with a bang in UCLA’s opener when he had a double-double with 32 DK points against San Diego State. He’s seen his playing time dip a little lately with Jalen Hill back healthy - but Riley is still the starting center who gets 20 minutes per game. While he has shown upside at times - including 27 DK points last game - it’s tough to trust him in cash. He’s a great GPP salary-saver, though, because he still leads the team in offensive usage rate (26%) when he’s on the court and his size will be needed more tonight against a taller Marquette frontcourt. Riley is worth a shot in tournaments for the upside if you want cheap exposure to the late-night hammer game.
Justin LewisMARQUCLA480021.45  
Despite not starting, Lewis leads Marquette in offensive usage rate (24%) through five games and his combined rebounding rate (35%) is actually higher than Theo John’s. Although he comes off the bench, the freshman is playing significant minutes in the frontcourt and he’s even more important when the Golden Eagles go small with Lewis at the five. We saw him drop 32 DK points with 18 points scored against Wisconsin as he was a big reason Marquette pulled out the victory. He’s a versatile scorer with three-point range as well - and is a solid cash option for this sub-4k price.

Other Forwards to Consider:

Chris Smith - UCLA ($7,200) 

Denzel Mahoney - Creighton ($6,100)

Isaih Moore - St. John’s ($5,100)

Thorir Thorbjarnarson - Nebraska ($4,300)

Example Lineups

 

DK Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GMarcus ZegarowskiCRENEB30.19$8,300
PivotDalano BantonNEBCRE37.2$7,900
GJalen HarrisGUVU19.56$4,300
Pivot     
GD.J. CartonMARQUCLA21.15$5,200
Pivot     
FLuka GarzaIOWAISU53.44$9,900
Pivot     
FSandro MamukelashviliSHUSTJN34.29$7,600
Pivot     
FJustin LewisMARQUCLA21.45$4,800
Pivot     
UtilDamien JeffersonCRENEB19.56$5,000
Pivot     
UtilMyles CaleSHUSTJN17.42$4,500
PivotSolomon YoungISUIOWA19.38$5,300
    Total$49,600
   Pivot Total$50,000
DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GJahvon BlairGUVU32.25$7,700
PivotJoe WieskampIOWAISU27.06$6,800
GBryce ThompsonKUOMAHA11.62$4,000
Pivot     
GJohnny JuzangUCLAMARQ16.25$4,300
Pivot     
FJeremiah Robinson-EarlVUGU31.95$8,100
Pivot     
FJulian ChampagnieSTJNSHU39.75$8,400
Pivot     
FCody RileyUCLAMARQ20.8$4,900
Pivot     
UtilCollin GillespieVUGU28.2$7,500
PivotTeddy AllenNEBCRE32.1$7,000
UtilDonald CareyGUVU18.88$5,100
PivotDenzel MahoneyCRENEB26.17$6,100
    Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$49,600