THE SLATE

(w/ Implied Team & Game Totals via KenPom)

  • 5:10 pm ET -- Texas Southern (64) vs. Mount St. Mary’s (65) -- 129 total

  • 6:27 pm ET -- Drake (73) vs. Wichita State (71) -- 144 total

  • 7 pm ET -- NC State (71) vs. Davidson (73) -- 144 total **DK ONLY**

  • 8:40 pm ET -- Appalachian State (67) vs. Norfolk State (68) -- 135 total

  • 9 pm ET -- SMU (76) vs. Boise State (75) -- 151 total **DK ONLY**

  • 9:57 pm ET -- UCLA (68) vs. Michigan State (67) -- 135 total

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Kendric DavisSMUBSU990038  
If playing on DK, we get an NIT matchup between SMU and Boise State to build lineups from. The top overall DFS option in that one is Kendric Davis, who ended the year extremely hit. He’s scored 22, 25 and 35 points in the past three games with DK totals of 44, 44 and 51, respectively. In a high-usage and score-first role running SMU’s point, Davis will be heavily involved once again tonight in a high-scoring matchup. The price tag is high but he’s been worth it more often than not.
Devante CarterNORAPPST880031.04840029.85
Carter is Norfolk State’s best player and he’ll have to be at his best tonight in this First Four matchup. Over the last ten games, the senior guard is averaging 17 PPG and 35 DK points while stuffing the stat sheet with a fantastic floor of assists and rebounds. In this must-win scenario, we should expect Carter to continue in his high-usage role offensively and anchor your cash lineups - even in a tight, low-scoring contest.
Damian Chong QuiMSMTXSO800030.24750027.71
This 16-seed First Four matchup features a battle of two stud point guards in Michael Weathers and Damian Chong Qui. They’re both around the same price on the DFS sites and you can go in either direction - but Chong Qui is the better play when comparing them. As the high-usage ball-handler and leading scorer for Mount St. Mary’s, he will have the ball in his hands on nearly every possession and plays basically the entire game at the point. Chong Qui is averaging 17 PPG, 6.4 assists and 35 DK over the last ten games and he’ll benefit from the pace-boost here vs. the uptempo Texas Southern.
Alterique GilbertWICHDRA660023.2580021.60
In these play-in games, it’s important to focus on each team’s best players when making DFS lineups. For Wichita State, it’s Tyson Etienne and Gilbert who lead the way and the latter is much more of a bargain on both sites tonight - but for similar production compared to Etienne. The former UConn transfer, Gilbert usually runs the point and his DFS floor is comfortable with assists and ancillary stats. He’s put up 25+ DK in four of the last five games and should be heavily involved offensively tonight if the Shockers want to win.
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Johnny JuzangUCLAMSU560024.23540022.13
Juzang is priced way down from how much he usually costs for DFS CBB - and it’s a good opportunity to pounce on him if he’s sub 6k like tonight. The discount is likely because he missed a game with an ankle injury and then only had 17 DK last time out in his return. However, he’s had a week to rest and get fully healthy and should be ready to return to a heavy offensive role for UCLA tonight. He has the GPP upside to score 20+ real points and 30+ DK if he’s on - and the Bruins will need that version of him tonight if they want to win.
Kashaun HicksNORAPPST490016.1490014.51
While Devante Carter is Norfolk State’s headliner, Hicks has become a solid role player in the final month of the season. The senior started the last six games after coming off the bench the rest of the season - and he’s put up 25+ DK in three of the last five with the increase in playing time, shot volume and usage. In this game, the App State defense could easily key in on Carter and force others to beat them - which would benefit Hicks directly as he’s emerged as a decent secondary scorer to Carter.
Deandre ThomasMSMTXSO450014.88440011.64
Mount St. Mary’s plays one of the shortest rotations in the whole country with usually just one sub getting meaningful minutes - and Thomas is that one sub. Despite coming off the bench, though, the junior regularly gets starter-level playing time with 30+ minutes per game. That consistent and heavy time on the court gives Thomas a safer fantasy floor than his price tags suggest - and he’s put up 20+ DK in three of the last five games. Expect him to be a solid bargain here as he should be priced above 5k.
Shakeel MooreNCSTDAV400016.24  
On the DK slate, there’s still value in the NC State rotation as it continues to replace Devon Daniels and Thomas Allen in the backcourt. Moore is benefiting from those absences as he’s now the top reserve guard with others moving into the starting lineup. The freshman is averaging 18 DK over the last ten games with balanced stat lines of ancillary production. Getting that type of DFS value at 4k flat is a bargain - and he has the upside to put up 20 DK or more if he hits a couple three’s.

Other Guards to Consider

  • Michael Almonacy - Appalachian State ($8,500 DK / $8,200 FD)

  • Michael Weathers - Texas Southern ($8,200 DK / $8,000 FD)

  • Tyson Etienne - Wichita State ($7,700 DK / $7,000 FD)

  • Kellan Grady - Davidson ($7,600 DK Only)

  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. - UCLA ($7,100 DK / $5,700 FD)

  • Tyger Campbell - UCLA ($6,000 DK / $4,800 FD)

  • Joseph Yesufu - Drake ($5,200 DK / $6,400 FD)

  • Joshua Langford - Michigan State ($5,000 DK / $5,100 FD)

  • Kyonze Chavis - Norfolk State ($4,500 DK / $4,700 FD)

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Aaron HenryMSUUCLA870031.95780029.80
If Michigan State is going to win this First Four matchup, it’ll have to do so on the back of its best player. Aaron Henry has been more of an offensive focal point late in the year as the Spartans made a late push for an at-large tourney bid. He’s averaging 17 PPG and 33 DK points over the last ten outings and is stuffing the stat sheet in all categories. More often than not, he’s performing like a top-tier fantasy player and should go comfortably over these totals if he’s one of Michigan State’s top playmakers in this must-win scenario. He’ll likely be popular as one of the top options on this short slate.
Derrick Alston Jr.BSUMSM740028.66  
On the DK slate, it’s smart to look heavily at the SMU-Boise State game because of the high total - and Alston would be the top target for Boise. He’s the Broncos’ go-to scorer and playmaker from the wing and can easily go off for 25+ points and 35+ DK in this uptempo, must-win setting. He’s averaging 19 PPG and 28 DK over the last ten games but his DFS ceiling is a lot higher than that when he’s on. Getting him at a significant discount compared to Kendric Davis seems like a steal.
ShanQuan HemphillDRASMU730026.79550025.28
After being out since Feb. 10, all signs are pointing towards Hemphill returning tonight for Drake - a significant development for the DFS slate and the Bulldogs’ chances to win. Hemphill was their leading scorer and rebounder before suffering a foot injury. Although we don’t know how much he’ll play or be involved tonight, it’s obviously encouraging that he’s even playing and he could very easily return to a featured role as the team’s star. There is clear risk he disappoints in his first game because we don’t know the workload.
Malik JeffersonMSMTXSO670020.1550018.31
Although the total is the lowest on the slate, targeting the Mount side of this Texas Southern First Four game could be smart due to the pace-boost matchup. One of those Mountaineers to look at is Malik Jefferson, the center who’s posted a double-double in three straight coming in. Jefferson posted 27, 27 and 33 DK in these last three as he helped anchor Mount St. Mary’s to win its conference tournament. Expect his size and rebounding chops to give him plenty of value tonight.
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Ethan ChargoisSMUBSU530021.75  
With Yor Anei missing the last two games, Chargois has stepped into a larger role as SMU’s best big man. The senior had 21 DK with 12 rebounds last time out and should provide similar stats tonight with Anei likely out again. His size down low will be needed against Boise State center Mladen Armus. You can also look at Isaiah Jasey for much cheaper if you need a GPP dart - as he’s also benefiting from Anei out.
Trey WadeWICHDRA520018.27500017.20
Wichita State admittedly plays a deep rotation where it’s tough to predict DFS value game-to-game. Lately, though, Trey Wade has been one of the Shockers’ top role players at the power forward spot. He’s put up 35, 22 and 26 DK in three of the last four games, respectively, and is averaging right around 20 DK over the past ten. At the very least, he’s a regular starter who’s locked into more playing time than others in Wichita State’s rotation - and he’s a bargain at 5k if he’s giving us 20+ DFS points.
Malik HallMSUUCLA510012.78410011.92
Deciding on which secondary Michigan State players to roster for this First Four matchup might depend on the starting lineup - which has been changing a lot recently. Malik Hall is the latest beneficiary as he’s started four straight games coming in, replacing Gabe Brown in that lead power forward spot. Those starts haven’t resulted in great DFS performances each time, but Hall did go off for 19 points and 28 DK last time out and has the upside to do that again here. The Spartans will need size to match up with Cody Riley and Hall might be the best option right now - so extended minutes could be there for him.
Emmanuel AkotBSUSMU480019.2  
Another DK only play from the NIT matchups - but one that should be popular for the value. With Abu Kigab out for the tournament, Akot steps into a much larger role as long as SMU is playing games. The junior wing moved into the starting lineup last game with Kigab out and he scored 15 points with 24 DK. The game before, Akot put up 33 DK with 18 points scored as Kigab departed early. It’s clear Akot’s DFS and offensive value are directly related to Kigab’s absence - and he’s a big bargain at sub 5k.

Other Forwards to Consider

  • Joirdon Karl Nicholas - Texas Southern ($7,800 DK / $6,800 FD)

  • Donovan Gregory - Appalachian State ($7,500 DK / $6,500 FD)

  • Nana Opoku - Mount St. Mary’s ($7,500 DK / $5,900 FD)

  • Darnell Brodie - Drake ($5,900 DK / $5,600 FD)

  • Mladen Armus - Boise State ($5,500 DK Only)

  • Isiah Jasey - SMU ($3,600 DK Only)

  • Gabe Brown - Michigan State ($3,300 DK / $4,200 FD)

Example Lineups

The Example Lineups are meant to show roster construction based on players mentioned in the Playbook. They are not meant for plug and play.

 

DK Cash FD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GDamian Chong QuiMSMTXSO30.24$8,000 GDevante CarterNORFAPST29.85$8,400
Pivot     $8,000Pivot     
GDerrick Alston Jr.BSUSMU28.66$7,400 GDamian Chong QuiMSMTSOU27.7$7,500
PivotAlterique GilbertWICHDRA23.2$6,600$6,600Pivot     
GShakeel MooreNCSTDAV16.24$4,000 GJohnny JuzangUCLAMSU22.13$5,400
Pivot     $4,000PivotAlterique GilbertWICHDRAK21.59$5,800
FAaron HenryMSUUCLA31.95$8,700 GTyger CampbellUCLAMSU21.75$4,800
Pivot     $8,700PivotDeandre ThomasMSMTSOU11.63$4,400
FMalik JeffersonMSMTXSO20.1$6,700 FMalik JeffersonMSMTSOU18.31$5,500
Pivot     $6,700Pivot     
FEmmanuel AkotBSUSMU19.2$4,800 FShanquan HemphillDRAKWICH25.27$5,500
Pivot     $4,800Pivot     
UtilJoseph YesufuDRAWICH19.2$5,200 FAaron HenryMSUUCLA29.79$7,800
PivotJohnny JuzangUCLAMSU24.23$5,600$5,600Pivot     
UtilTrey WadeWICHDRA18.27$5,200 UtilKashaun HicksNORFAPST14.51$4,900
PivotEthan ChargoisSMUBSU21.75$5,300$5,300PivotJoshua LangfordMSUUCLA16.74$5,100
    Total$50,000     Total$49,800
   Pivot Total$49,700    Pivot Total$50,000
             
DK GPP FD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GKendric DavisSMUBSU38$9,900 GMichael WeathersTSOUMSM32.04$8,000
Pivot     $9,900Pivot     
GDeandre ThomasMSMTXSO14.88$4,500 GJaime Jaquez Jr.UCLAMSU23.36$5,700
Pivot     $4,500PivotJoseph YesufuDRAKWICH18.06$6,400
GKashaun HicksNORAPPST16.1$4,900 GJoshua LangfordMSUUCLA16.74$5,100
Pivot     $4,900Pivot     
FIsiah JaseySMUBSU10.88$3,600 GAdrian DelphAPSTNORF22.5$6,200
Pivot     $3,600Pivot     
FJaime Jaquez Jr.UCLAMSU24.91$7,100 FNana OpokuMSMTSOU23.7$5,900
Pivot     $7,100Pivot     
FMalik HallMSUUCLA12.78$5,100 FJoirdon Karl NicholasTSOUMSM22.2$6,800
Pivot     $5,100Pivot     
UtilDevante CarterNORAPPST31.04$8,800 FTrey WadeWICHDRAK17.19$5,000
PivotMichael WeathersTXSOMSM33.72$8,200$8,200Pivot     
UtilTyger CampbellUCLAMSU23.19$6,000 UtilTyson EtienneWICHDRAK26.74$7,000
PivotAlterique GilbertWICHDRA23.2$6,600$6,600PivotDonovan GregoryAPSTNORF24.81$6,500
    Total$49,900     Total$49,700
   Pivot Total$49,900    Pivot Total$49,900