THE SLATE

(w/ Implied Team Totals & Odds via KenPom)

  • 6:30 pm ET -- Virginia Tech (64) at Louisville (67) -- 131 total **DK Only**

  • 7 pm ET -- Arkansas (67) at Tennessee (73) -- 140 total

  • 8 pm ET -- St. John’s (74) at Xavier (81) -- 155 total **FD Only**

  • 8:30 pm ET -- Minnesota (73) at Michigan (78) -- 151 total

  • 8:30 pm ET -- Boston College (67) at Duke (81) -- 148 total **DK Only**

  • 9 pm ET -- Auburn (67) at Mississippi (72) -- 139 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Seton Hall (72) at Creighton (77) -- 149 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Oklahoma (70) at Baylor (82) -- 152 total

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Marcus CarrMINNMICH880038.15830035.69
One of the highest totals on tonight’s slate is this Michigan-Minnesota tilt - and arguably the best player from either side is Marcus Carr. The Golden Gophers’ playmaking point guard should be heavily involved in this fast-paced game and he may have more offensive responsibility than normal with Liam Robbins having a tough matchup inside vs. Michigan center Hunter Dickinson. Carr has not shot it well the last two games, but he has legit 40 DK point upside or better once his shots start to fall more. His DFS floor is always safe with plenty of assists and rebounds every time out too. At the high price tag, though, he might be better for GPP’s than cash games on this slate.
Jared ButlerBUOU800033.44790030.69
Baylor is projected to score the most of any team on this slate and Jared Butler leads the way as always for the Bears. The junior leads the team in offensive usage rate and shot volume and can fill up the stat sheet in multiple ways - making him an ideal cash game priority in a paced-up matchup as well. Butler put up 38 DK points last time out with a team-leading 21 points scored as Baylor began its conference schedule. We should see him start to string together 30-40 DK points on a regular basis with the team starting to play Big 12 opponents. Plus, Butler’s 46% three-point shooting gives him more upside against an Oklahoma defense that allows the country’s 8th-most points from the perimeter.
Paul ScruggsXAVSJU  800031.92
The FD-only game tonight is a good one with tons of points and DFS production expected in this Big East matchup. The best option from both sides is Xavier’s do-it-all senior point guard. Scruggs leads the team in offensive usage rate, shot volume and assist rate during conference play as he operates in a score-first role with passing upside while running the offense. This is a major pace-boost spot for Xavier - and Scruggs should rack up the DFS points across the board against the quick-tempo St. John’s squad. He’s a top cash and GPP play on the FD slate.
Marcus ZegarowskiCRESHU720029.92730026.71
This Creighton-Seton Hall matchup is another to target tonight with one of the higher totals on the board and KenPom expecting it to be tight throughout. For the Bluejays, the offense relies on the playmaking abilities of point guard Marcus Zegarowski - who leads the team in usage rate and shot volume in conference play while also providing assist production. He’s coming of a 37 DK point outing vs. Providence on Saturday when he filled the stat sheet with 20 points scored, four assists and seven rebounds. We can realistically expect 30-35 DK points yet again with Zegarowski’s high involvement and solid DFS floor. He’s still too underpriced on both sites and should be popular in cash.
Allen FlaniganAUBMISS690026.3660023.51
A key injury to watch tonight is the status of Auburn point guard Justin Powell, who could be out with a head injury. Allen Flanigan was already a solid play as the Tigers’ leading scorer, but he’ll likely take over the bulk of point guard duties if Powell is out. That increase in ball-handling role, usage and assist upside makes him even safer for cash games and tournaments. Plus, Flanigan’s 42% three-point shooting raises his DFS ceiling higher against an Ole Miss defense that struggles to stop the deep ball. Note: if Sharife Cooper is somehow granted immediate eligibility before tipoff, you can lock him in on DK at min price and he’d be a strong option on FD at $7100.
        
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Mike SmithMICHMINN540020.5550018.78
If you want to get some cheap cash game exposure to one of the highest totals on the slate, look at Michigan’s Mike Smith. The senior point guard presents a solid DFS floor with his team-leading 5.2 assists per game and steady 30+ minutes every outing. The ancillary stats give him a good cash floor - and there’s even some 25-30 DK point upside if he’s getting to the foul line more. This will be a fast-paced situation where Smith’s ball-handling should come in handy for Michigan - and it’s hard not to lock him in for 20 DFS points or more.
Adam FlaglerBUOU470019.07540017.40
Although he’s firmly entrenched in a bench role, Flagler is essentially Baylor’s sixth-man who plays a ton with the starters when he relieves one of Jared Butler, MaCio Teague or Davion Mitchell. Game-log watchers will see his 1.0 DK point performance on Saturday and ignore him tonight, but there’s legit GPP value here. Flager’s 20-25 regular minutes are certainly encouraging - but it’s his 43% from three-point range that gives him a higher ceiling against an Oklahoma defense that’s one of the worst in the country at defending the perimeter. Flager has shown he can put up 25 DK points or so if he’s making his three’s - and that could easily happen tonight.
Devan CambridgeAUBMISS400015.05520013.22
The price differential for Cambridge might make him a better DK play tonight, but he’s a good value on either site. The sophomore is a regular starter for Auburn who doesn’t have a big offensive role - but that would change if Justin Powell is ruled out. His absence likely moves Allen Flanigan into the point guard role and Cambridge is then locked into more playing time as the 2-guard. Even with Powell active, though, Cambridge still put up 20+ DK points in the last two games against SEC competition. There’s upside here, too, as Cambridge can get hot from three-point land and will face an Oklahoma defense that allows a ton of points from deep.
Davonte DavisARKTENN300010.3439009.77
The Justin Smith injury has opened up some value for Arkansas and the DFS sites have not appropriately reacted yet. On Saturday with Smith out, Devonte Davis entered the starting lineup for the first time this year and he logged a season-high 20 minutes in the new role. With the extended court time, the freshman put up 15 DK points despite not being heavily involved offensively. The Razorbacks chose to go small at times with the power forward Smith sidelined - and that might be the case again tonight with Davis starting a second straight. He’s way too cheap on both sites and the min price on DK should make him chalky if he’s starting.

Other Guards to Consider

  • Franz Wagner - Michigan ($8,500 DK / $7,800 FD)

  • Julian Champagnie - St. John’s ($8,400 FD Only)

  • Davion Mitchell - Baylor ($8,400 DK / $7,800 FD)

  • Luis Rodriguez - Ole Miss ($7,100 DK / $6,900 FD)

  • Denzel Mahoney - Creighton ($6,500 DK / $6,400 FD)

  • MaCio Teague - Baylor ($6,200 DK / $6,600 FD)

  • Myles Cale - Seton Hall ($5,900 DK / $5,400 FD)

  • Chaundee Brown Jr. - Michigan ($4,600 DK / $5,100 FD)

  • Keon Johnson - Tennessee ($4,800 DK / $4,700 FD)

  • Jarkel Joiner - Ole Miss ($4,100 DK / $4,100 FD)

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Matthew HurtDUKEBC860034.1  
On the DK slate, we should be looking heavily at Duke’s key players in a very favorable situation. Boston College is the worst defensive team in the ACC and they play at a very quick pace - both of which favor the Blue Devils even if the team hasn’t played in over two weeks. With Jalen Johnson still out, Matthew Hurt will continue to operate as the top offensive option for Coach K’s squad. He’s been the most consistent Blue Devil for DFS this season and he put up 34 DK points with a stat-stuffing line in the last game with Johnson out. Hurt has now totaled 30-40 DK points in four straight and he should have no problem doing that again in a paced-up matchup against a poor defensive and rebounding team in BC. He’s good for cash or GPP on this slate.
Hunter DickinsonMICHMINN830031.81760029.96
On the Michigan side of things for this high-scoring matchup with Minnesota, it’s Hunter Dickinson and Franz Wagner who lead the way for the Wolverines. The decision of whether or not to trust Dickinson could end up being the difference between cashing and not as this matchup with Minnesota center Liam Robbins is a tough one to predict. Both have big offensive and DFS upside - but both could get the other into foul trouble just as easily. Dickinson, though, has turned into Michigan’s go-to scorer inside who can take over a game in any given night. He’s done it numerous times against Big Ten competition already - and this fast-paced environment could result in a 20-point double-double for the 7-foot-1 freshman. Limit exposure to GPP’s, though, because of the slight foul risk.
Sandro MamukelashviliSHUCRE810035.65770032.93
Any time Seton Hall is on the slate, we need to be strongly considering Mamukelashvili in all formats. He’s taken over the role as the Pirates’ top offensive option with Myles Powell gone - and his DFS floor/ceiling combo is as high as any player in action tonight. If you erase his one dud outing vs. Georgetown a couple weeks ago, Mamu has at least 35 DK points in five straight while going over 40 DK points in four of those. He not only scores it from the floor, but the assists, rebounds and defensive stats raise his value even more. He should be heavily involved once again if Seton Hall wants to pull off this upset vs. Creighton. He's as close to a cash lock as you can get tonight.
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jaemyn BrakefieldDUKEBC540015.55  
Although Duke hasn’t played since Dec. 16, the team is still without stud big man Jalen Johnson and those open frontcourt minutes should allow Brakefield to be a solid value. In the Blue Devils’ last game - the first without Johnson - the freshman Brakefield moved into more playing time with a season-high 24 minutes and 21 DK points in the extended floor time. Although Patrick Tape got the start in Johnson’s absence, it was still Brakefield who stepped into the bigger role with Tape only getting nine minutes. It’s possible we see him enter the starting lineup tonight - but Brakefield is a solid value in cash even if he’s coming off the bench.
Jonathan Tchamwa TchatchouaBUOU520021.39590020.32
A bunch of Baylor players are in play on this slate in a pace-boost matchup and the highest implied team total on the board. In the frontcourt, it’s Tchamwa Tchatchoua who’s carved out a legit rim-running, rebounding role on a team with so much talent around him. The former UNLV transfer doesn’t start, but he still logs 20-25 minutes per game and is the team’s best rebounder. Against Iowa State last game, he grabbed 10 boards and provided 22 DK points despite not having any notable offensive usage. He’s a solid cash game play with 20 or so DK points expected nightly - and he should have an advantage on the boards against this Oklahoma frontcourt.
Ryan KalkbrennerCRESHU440016.15440015.70
With tons of DFS value expected from this Big East battle, it might be smart to get multiple pieces into the same lineup. While freshman 7-footer Ryan Kalkbrenner doesn’t have a big offensive role, he has some upside with his ability to rebound and block shots in this matchup. Even in limited minutes as the backup center, Kalkbrenner has 15-25 DK points in multiple games already because of his rim-protecting role down low on defense. Seton Hall struggles on the offensive boards and with getting shots blocked - both areas that Kalkbrenner excels at with his defensive rebounding and block ability. He’s worth a look in GPP’s.
Jaylin WilliamsARKTENN410010.339009.56
Arkansas is dealing with a big loss in the frontcourt with Justin Smith out, and Williams will be one of the players to fill that hole - making him an attractive GPP value tonight. With Smith out last game, the freshman Wiliams logged 17 minutes off the bench - his most playing time in a month. It looks like the Razorbacks will opt to go with Williams over fellow big man Vance Jackson in their bigger lineups - and the former could even crack the starting lineup tonight. He put up 18 DK points in his extended playing time and role last game and could easily replicate that production again with Smith still out.

Other Forwards to Consider

  • Liam Robbins - Minnesota ($8,900 DK / $7,900 FD)

  • Zach Freemantle - Xavier ($7,500 FD Only)

  • Keve Aluma - Virginia Tech ($7,400 DK Only)

  • Jaylin Williams - Auburn ($6,200 DK / $6,000 FD)

  • Mark Vital - Baylor ($5,000 DK / $4,900 FD)

  • Dre Davis - Louisville ($4,400 DK Only)

Example Lineups

The Example Lineups are meant to offer a way to build Cash and GPP lineups based on players mentioned above. They are not meant to be plugged and played.

 

DK Cash FD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GMarcus ZegarowskiCRESHU29.92$7,200 GMarcus CarrMINNMICH35.69$8,300
Pivot     $7,200Pivot     
GDavonte DavisARKTENN10.34$3,000 GPaul ScruggsXAVSJU31.92$8,000
Pivot     $3,000PivotJared ButlerBAYOU30.68$7,900
GMike SmithMICHMINN20.5$5,400 GMike SmithMICHMINN18.78$5,500
Pivot     $5,400Pivot     
FMatthew HurtDUKEBC34.1$8,600 GMyles CaleSHUCRE18.47$5,400
Pivot     $8,600PivotJarkel JoinerMISSAUB12.67$4,100
FJ. Tchamwa TchatchouaBUOU21.4$5,200 FSandro MamukelashviliSHUCRE32.92$7,700
Pivot     $5,200Pivot     
FJaemyn BrakefieldDUKEBC15.55$5,400 FJaylin WilliamsARKTENN9.56$3,900
Pivot     $5,400Pivot     
UtilAllen FlaniganAUBMISS26.3$6,900 FJ. Tchamwa TchatchouaBAYOU20.32$5,900
PivotLuis RodriguezMISSAUB28.88$7,100$7,100Pivot     
UtilSandro MamukelashviliSHUCRE35.65$8,100 UtilDevan CambridgeAUBMISS13.21$5,200
PivotJared ButlerBUOU33.44$8,000$8,000PivotAllen FlaniganAUBMISS23.51$6,600
    Total$49,800     Total$49,900
   Pivot Total$49,900    Pivot Total$49,900
             
DK GPP FD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GMarcus CarrMINNMICH38.15$8,800 GJulian ChampagnieSJUXAV35.5$8,400
Pivot     $8,800Pivot     
GAdam FlaglerBUOU19.07$4,700 GMarcus ZegarowskiCRESHU26.71$7,300
Pivot     $4,700PivotFranz WagnerMICHMINN28.73$7,800
GDevan CambridgeAUBMISS15.05$4,000 GMaCio TeagueBAYOU24.22$6,600
Pivot     $4,000Pivot     
FHunter DickinsonMICHMINN31.81$8,300 GChaundee Brown Jr.MICHMINN16.21$5,100
PivotSandro MamukelashviliSHUCRE35.65$8,100$8,100Pivot     
FDenzel MahoneyCRESHU25.94$6,500 FHunter DickinsonMICHMINN29.95$7,600
Pivot     $6,500PivotZach FreemantleXAVSJU30.13$7,500
FRyan KalkbrennerCRESHU16.15$4,400 FRyan KalkbrennerCRESHU15.7$4,400
Pivot     $4,400Pivot     
UtilKeon JohnsonTENNARK18.03$4,800 FAdam FlaglerBAYOU17.4$5,400
Pivot     $4,800Pivot     
UtilDavion MitchellBUOU32.31$8,400 UtilKeon JohnsonTENNARK16.6$4,700
PivotFranz WagnerMICHMINN30.42$8,500$8,500Pivot     
    Total$49,900     Total$49,500
   Pivot Total$49,800    Pivot Total$49,900