THE SLATE:

(w/ Implied Team Totals & Odds via KenPom)

  • 7 pm ET -- Texas Tech (69) at Oklahoma (67) -- 136 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Louisville (70) at Pittsburgh (68) -- 138 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Nebraska (62) at Wisconsin (79) -- 141 total **DK ONLY**

  • 7 pm ET -- Bradley (62) at Missouri (73) -- 135 total **DK ONLY**

  • 9 pm ET -- Purdue (76) at Iowa (83) -- 159 total

  • 9 pm ET -- West Virginia (69) at Kansas (71) -- 140 total

  • 9 pm ET -- North Carolina (73) at NC State (74) -- 145 total

  • 9 pm ET -- San Diego State (63) at Saint Mary’s (61) -- 124 total

**The Syracuse-Notre Dame game on FanDuel has been postponed**

Top Guards

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Carlik JonesULPITT850035.38700032.78
Louisville’s best player is expected back tonight after missing the last game for an undisclosed reason - and he should be popular as one of the top overall options on this slate. For starters, the Cardinals get a pace-boost in this matchup vs. Pittsburgh and it makes all of their key contributors attractive for DFS because of the tempo increase. Jones - assuming he plays - should have no problem putting up 30-40 DK points or more with his high floor of rebounds, assists and real points. He leads Louisville in usage rate and shot volume this year and this offense looked lost without him running the point vs. Wisconsin over the weekend. Expect a good floor and ceiling performance for all formats. On FD, he's way too cheap and presents a big bargain.
Tommy KuhseSTMRYSDSU810033.5710031.70
Admittedly, this Saint Mary’s game will be a low-scoring slugfest between two slow-paced teams - so temper your expectations overall for any player involved. Still, Kuhse is in play for GPP’s and possible cash games because of his very high involvement for the Gaels. Running the point, he’s the team’s usage and assist leader while averaging a stat-stuffing line of 15.4 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Kuhse has four outings of 40 or more DK points already and one of those performances was a whopping 56 DK points just last week. Although this game will be slow-tempo and low-scoring, expect Kuhse to have the ball in his hands on every possession - either scoring or assisting all night.
Devon DanielsNCSTUND770032.3750030.14
The senior combo guard is NC State’s best player and his DFS value should be high in this uptempo matchup with UNC. Daniels leads the team in usage rate and shot volume and he’s even more important to the Wolfpack with backup PG Cam Hayes out the last two games. Hayes’ status is one to monitor ahead of tipoff - but if he’s out, then expect Daniels to play even more of a point guard role running the offense. Over the last two games with Hayes out, Daniels has put up 28 and 35 DK points with more minutes and a higher offensive role. Even if Hayes does play, this is a great price for NC State’s best playmaker in a rivalry game against a UNC squad that struggles to defend opposing backcourts.
Eric Hunter Jr.PURIOWA650026.19600024.33
First of all, this Purdue-Iowa matchup is the king of the slate in terms of DFS value and targets because of the expected high score and quick pace on both ends of the courts. If Purdue wants to keep it competitive, Eric Hunter will have to play a huge role running the point in a pace-boosted matchup - Iowa plays fast overall and doesn’t boast a strong defense, allowing opposing teams to equally score a bunch. After missing the first four games due to injury, Hunter is now back as the starting PG - which has raised his DFS production even more. Against Notre Dame last time out, he stuffed the stat sheet with his 18 points scored, eight assists, five boards and three steals for 44 DK points. We should expect similar production - especially if Purdue big man Trevion Williams gets into foul trouble guarding Iowa’s Luka Garza. He’s actually a bargain right now with an affordable price tag for all formats.
Terrence Shannon Jr.TTOU630023.61690022.63
With a deep and talented roster, it’s been tough to predict which players would emerge as Texas Tech’s best DFS options - but we have gotten an answer recently. Over the last two games, Shannon has upped his offensive usage rate and shot volume while clearly looking like Tech’s best playmaker alongside Mac McClung in the backcourt. Against Kansas last week, the sophomore broke out with 20 points scored and nine rebounds while going 4-of-7 from three-point range. That sharpshooting from deep should come in handy against an Oklahoma team that does not defend the perimeter well. This is a pace-boost spot for the Red Raiders and we should expect both Shannon and McClung to be heavily involved on offense. Plus, Shannon is one of the best two-way players in the Big 12 - so his playing time should start to be more consistent in the 30-minute range, raising his DFS floor as well. He's a slightly better DK play with the price discount.

Value Guards

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Brad DavisonWISCNEB510019.89  
A DK-only play here and one that could be popular in cash games. Davison is Wisconsin’s starting shooting guard and his DFS floor is higher than you’d expect. He’s put up 24 or more DK points in each of the last three games with a recent uptick in minutes as the Badgers have started to play tougher opponents. During that three-game stretch, Davison has gone 8-for-15 from three-point range - and that sharpshooting should help him return value against a Nebraska team that struggles to defend the deep ball.
Braxton BeverlyNCSTUNC470018.4470017.26
A key injury situation to monitor on this slate centers around NC State’s backcourt. Cam Hayes has missed the last two games and if he’s out again tonight, then Beverly is a solid value option. With Hayes out, Beverly has logged 30+ minutes in back-to-back games - and the uptick in playing time has resulted in a higher DFS floor. Against Saint Louis last week, the senior put up 23 DK points with the expanded minutes and offensive role - and we should see him have similar success in this fast-paced matchup with UNC. The Heels are much stronger in the frontcourt than against opposing guards, and Beverly would be leaned on more with Hayes out.
Logan JohnsonSTMRYSDSU450016.75350015.66
Even in a low-scoring affair, Johnson is a nice salary-saver in all formats with a recent increase in playing time. The junior began the year as a starter for Saint Mary’s before an injury forced him out of four games. Since returning, though, Johnson has seen his minutes increase in each of his three games back - culminating in a season-high 31 minutes last time out as he played the second-most of any player not named Tommy Kuhse. In his last three games back healthy, he’s put up 21, 17, and 20 DK points - respectively - as he puts up enough ancillary stats to make up for a lack of consistent offensive role. We may see him back in the starting lineup tonight, too. He’s a good value on both sites but even better at $1000 less on FD.
Nike SibandePITTUL31004.530002.40
Anyone with a first name of “Nike” has to be in consideration, right?! This is a very cheap price tag for Sibande and he’s an interesting GPP dart with a unique situation. He was one of those transfers granted immediate eligibility last week and it might be only a matter of time until we see him carve out a legit role in Pitt’s backcourt. Against Miami in his first game, Sibande only played eight minutes - but he had a 30% usage rate when he was on the court and he will provide the Panthers with a solid backup guard in a rotation without much depth at the position. At Miami (OH) last year, he was the team’s best player with high usage and shot rates - so his talent is clearly there. Maybe the eight minutes in his first game was just to get him some action before he cracks even more playing time tonight and moving forward.

Other Guards to Consider:

  • Miles McBride - West Virginia ($7,900 DK / $7,600 FD)

  • Joe Wieskamp - Iowa ($7,300 DK / $6,500 FD)

  • Mac McClung - Texas Tech ($6,800 DK / $6,700 FD)

  • Marcus Garrett - Kansas ($6,600 DK / $6,400 FD)

  • Mark Smith - Missouri ($5,700 DK Only)

  • Brandon Newman - Purdue ($4,900 DK / $5,200 FD)

  • Dre Davis - Louisville ($4,800 DK / $6,100 FD)

  • Taz Sherman - West Virginia ($4,800 DK / $4,200 FD)

  • Jamarius Burton - Texas Tech ($3,600 DK / $5,000 FD)

Top Forwards

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Luka GarzaIOWAPUR1000049.57900046.76
At this point, there’s not much explanation needed for arguably the best college basketball player in the country. Iowa’s fast-paced, high-scoring offense begins and ends with Garza as the big man owns a 31% usage rate and 34% shots share so far with four games of 50+ DK points - including Saturday’s big-time performance vs. Gonzaga. The 10k price tag on DK may seem high, but it’s really not if you consider he can get 5x that salary easily. The question isn’t really IF you should play Garza - it’s how do you build a lineup around him with enough value. Load him up in cash games and fade at your own risk.
Derek CulverWVKU890034.78800032.42
Although West Virginia plays a deep rotation, Culver is the one top-tier option we can trust fully in cash games - even with a recent price increase. The junior is one of the best big men in the country and his size and experience will be needed in this high-profile matchup with Kansas. Culver has a double-double in three straight games and is a nightly threat to post even better stat lines - like his 18-and-15 game vs. Gonzaga earlier this year or his 18-and-12 vs. Iowa State last time out. It’s always tough to predict how Kansas games will go because they have the roster to go small or big in any given matchup - but Culver should be out there for the bulk of this one and force Bill Self to go big against him. If you’re not going Garza, then Culver is the next-best pay up option - especially in GPP’s.
Matt MitchellSDSUSTMRY800027.38660026.16
Similar to Tommy Kuhse on the other side, we should be considering San Diego State’s best player for GPP’s even in a low-scoring, slow-paced matchup. He’s even better on FD with the price discount - where he might even be a cash option. Mitchell hadn’t had a big performance all season before Friday’s performance vs. BYU when he exploded for 47 DK points. His offensive outburst of 35 points scored can’t be expected every night - but it’s a good sign for Mitchell, who was expected to become the Aztecs’ alpha dog with Malachi Flynn now gone. He’s the team’s usage rate and shot volume leader as the go-to scorer - and that fact alone puts him in play in this tight contest. Mitchell will be needed even more like he was vs. BYU last time out and his GPP ceiling is clearly high.
Garrison BrooksUNCNCST710024.07640022.99
Admittedly, it’s been a bit disappointing for Garrison Brooks from a DFS perspective this season. The Preseason ACC Player of the Year has eclipsed 30 DK points just once so far with only one outing where he recorded double-digit rebounds. Despite these lackluster performances, though, tonight should be a bounceback spot for one of the most talented big men in the country. He’ll face a NC State team that does not rebound well and routinely gets gashed by opposing centers. Plus, we saw Brooks average 27.5 points and 10 boards in two games vs. the Wolfpack last year - so we know he can dominate in this matchup against a subpar frontcourt. He’ll probably go lower-owned than he should be with more proven options at forward, but Brooks is a solid cash game or GPP play at his price.

Value Forwards

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jack NungeIOWAPUR510024600022.76
If you’ve been watching Iowa basketball this season, you know about Jack Nunge being a sort-of unsung hero right now for the Hawkeyes. He may get overshadowed by Luka Garza on a national scale, but Nunge’s mere presence in the frontcourt has allowed Garza to be as dominant as he is. The 6-foot-11 sophomore can play alongside Garza to give Iowa a very tall lineup - or he can play on his own at center and let Garza rest for longer stretches. Either way, Nunge is a solid cash game play with his elite rebounding rates and shot-blocking ability in the paint. He exploded for 35 DK points vs. Iowa State earlier this season and went for 25 DK points vs. Gonzaga over the weekend - despite playing less than 25 minutes in both. His DFS points per minute played are ridiculous - and his size will be needed against a Purdue team that has a dominant center of their own in Trevion Williams.
Mason GillisPURIOWA430013.03400011.94
As mentioned earlier, this Purdue-Iowa game is one to target with the highest total on the slate by far and a fast-paced matchup expected. Unfortunately, there aren’t many great cash game options from both teams outside of the obvious studs. The freshman Gillis has moved into Purdue’s starting rotation the last three games and that increase in role and playing time has helped him become more valuable for DFS. Against Notre Dame on Saturday in another paced-up game for the Boilermakers, we saw Gillis play a season-high 24 minutes with 26 DK points - also a season-high. We’ll have to check the starting lineups before this 9 pm ET tip, but Gillis would be a solid value on both sites for cash games if he gets the start again.
Emmitt Matthews Jr.WVUKU380014.06460012.95
West Virginia’s rotations and role players are always tough to predict for DFS, but Matthews is just too cheap - especially at sub-4k on DK. The junior has started every game thus far for the Mountaineers and he’s regularly playing 25-30 minutes - which is more than can be said about most of this team’s roster. He doesn’t have a big offensive role, but his time on the court usually allows him to put up DFS production in all stats as the starting small forward. Matthews is a versatile defender at 6-foot-7 and that ability to guard multiple positions regularly gifts him more playing time than other West Virginia players. That should be the case against a Kansas squad that can either go big or small with its lineups - keeping Matthews on the floor in either scenario. He’s a great salary-saver on this slate without much proven value.

Other Forwards to Consider:

  • Trevion Williams - Purdue ($7,800 DK / $7,800 FD)

  • Jalen Wilson - Kansas ($7,000 DK / $7,400 FD)

  • Armando Bacot - North Carolina ($6,500 DK / $6,600 FD)

  • Jericole Hellems - NC State ($6,100 DK / $6,200 FD)

  • Samuell Williamson - Louisville ($5,400 DK / $6,000 FD)

  • Aleem Ford - Wisconsin ($4,900 DK Only)

  • Gabe Osabuohein - West Virginia ($4,400 DK / $4,900 FD)

  • Kur Kuath - Oklahoma ($4,200 DK / $4,300 FD)

  • Aaron Wheeler - Purdue ($4,000 DK / $5,800 FD)

Example Lineups

The example lineups are meant to show roster construction based on players mentioned in the Playbook for Cash and GPP contests. These are not meant to be plugged and played.

DK Cash FD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GEric Hunter Jr.PURIOWA26.19$6,500 GDevon DanielsNCSTUNC30.13$7,500
Pivot     $6,500PivotTerrence Shannon Jr.TTUOU22.62$6,900
GBraxton BeverlyNCSTUNC18.4$4,700 GCarlik JonesLOUPITT32.77$7,000
Pivot     $4,700Pivot     
GTerrence Shannon Jr.TTOU23.61$6,300 GEric Hunter Jr.PURDIOWA24.32$6,000
Pivot     $6,300Pivot     
FLuka GarzaIOWAPUR49.57$10,000 GLogan JohnsonSMSDSU15.66$3,500
Pivot     $10,000PivotBraxton BeverlyNCSTUNC17.26$4,700
FGarrison BrooksUNCNCST24.07$7,100 FLuka GarzaIOWAPURD46.75$9,000
PivotJack NungeIOWAPUR24$5,100$5,100Pivot     
FMason GillisPURIOWA13.03$4,300 FGarrison BrooksUNCNCST22.98$6,400
PivotEmmitt Matthews Jr.WVKU14.06$3,800$3,800Pivot     
UtilDre DavisULPITT18.75$4,800 FEmmitt Matthews Jr.WVUKU12.94$4,600
Pivot     $4,800Pivot     
UtilJericole HellemsNCSTUNC27$6,100 UtilJack NungeIOWAPURD22.76$6,000
PivotCarlik JonesULPITT35.38$8,500$8,500PivotBrandon NewmanPURDIOWA17.92$5,200
    Total$49,800     Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$49,700    Pivot Total$49,800
             
DK GPP FD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GTommy KuhseSTMRYSDSU33.5$8,100 GMac McClungTTUOU23.63$6,700
PivotDevon DanielsNCSTUNC32.3$7,700$7,700PivotCarlik JonesLOUPITT32.77$7,000
GBrad DavisonWISCNEB19.89$5,100 GTommy KuhseSMSDSU31.69$7,100
Pivot     $5,100Pivot     
GNike SibandePITTUL4.5$3,100 GNike SibandePITTLOU2.4$3,000
Pivot     $3,100Pivot     
FDerek CulverWVKU34.78$8,900 GMarcus GarrettKUWVU22.91$6,400
Pivot     $8,900Pivot     
FMatt MitchellSDSUSTMRY27.38$8,000 FDerek CulverWVUKU32.42$8,000
Pivot     $8,000Pivot     
FTrevion WilliamsPURIOWA31.5$7,800 FMatt MitchellSDSUSM26.16$6,600
PivotJalen WilsonKUWV27.25$7,000$7,000Pivot     
UtilLogan JohnsonSTMRYSDSU16.75$4,500 FTrevion WilliamsPURDIOWA29.26$7,800
Pivot     $4,500PivotJalen WilsonKUWVU25.51$7,400
UtilGabe OsabuohienWVKU16.69$4,400 UtilKur KuathOUTTU16.5$4,300
PivotMark SmithMIZZBRAD21.8$5,700$5,700Pivot     
    Total$49,900     Total$49,900
   Pivot Total$50,000    Pivot Total$49,800