For starters I did not plan for this to happen. The Sunday slate for college hoops, probably because they do not want to compete with the NFL, is weak to say the least. With the schedule only having mid-majors, DraftKings and FanDuel are offering a showdown contest for the only other game in the country that features a power conference. The game happens to be the DePaul Blue Demons at Providence College Friars. The good news is I am the go-to guy for this one.

I graduated from Providence College in 2012 and was a student manager for the hoops team during my time there. Unfortunately, the team was not particularly good when I was there but if people were playing college hoops DFS back then guys like Marshon Brooks and Jamine “Greedy” Peterson would’ve been lineup staples. Post-college I write a blog for fun on the team (TheProvidenceCrier.com) and have a podcast. So, if there is anyone who should be writing about this showdown matchup, its me.

The game should be an interesting one as Providence (5-3, 1-1 BE) is coming off a loss at Butler and DePaul (1-0) just started their season last week. The Blue Demons have had several pauses for COVID outbreaks within the program and started their season last Wednesday with a 91-72 victory over Western Illinois. Senior Charlie Moore led the way for the Demons with 22 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while the Valpo transfer Javon Freeman-Liberty was great in his debut with 19 points, eight, rebounds, and six assists.

One would think the Friars being at home and playing seven more games as a team would go in their favor, which explains why the Friars are six-point favorites going into this one. For PC, the season has been really up-and-down and that was seen this past week where they scored a thrilling road victory at Seton Hall only to follow it up with a loss at Butler, who was 1-3 at the time. On top of that PC won’t be playing at the Dunkin Donuts Center, where they’ve run DePaul out of the gym in the past, and the game is played on the smaller gym on campus. So, it should be an intriguing game so let’s look at some guys for the captain spot (or star slot if you play FD) and players to look to get in your lineup.

Captain/Star Candidates

David Duke Jr, G, Providence (DK - $15,300; FD - $12,000)

Spare me the jokes about his name because David Duke Jr is a name to know across all of college basketball. Duke has elite size (6-5) and athleticism out of the two-spot. He was known mainly for his defense and rim rocking dunks in his first two seasons but this year his offensive game has really developed. He is averaging 19.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 3.6 APG while shooting 43% from the floor and 42% from three. When the team is struggling Duke asserts himself and can carry the team. Against DePaul there won’t be any guard that can slow him down. Duke is a great candidate for the captain spot especially on FanDuel where Javon Freeman-Liberty is the most expensive player. If you don’t have Duke in your captain spot he’s $10,200 on DraftKings and $12,000 on FanDuel as a utility player so he may be tough to squeeze in.

Charlie Moore, G, DePaul (DK - $9,400; FD - $11,500)

Typically when writing about Charlie Moore for my blog I’d make a mad fisherman reference but feel like that would go over everyone not from New England’s head. Moore has finally found a home at DePaul, after transferring from Kansas two seasons ago and Cal a season before that. Last year he averaged 15.5 PPG, 6.1 APG, and 3.3 RPG for the Blue Demons. It really depends who Coach Cooley elects to have David Duke defend but I’m thinking it will be Freeman-Liberty, which creates a great matchup for Moore. Moore is a small crafty guard at 5-11 so him drawing the likes of 5-10 Jared Bynum should be good for Moore. If you do not go with him as a captain/MVP get him in as a utility player because he could have a nice evening.

Nate Watson, F, Providence (DK - $13,500; FD - $10,500)

When Nate Wastson is not making tik-tok videos he’s dominating the paint on a college basketball court. The senior big man is having a monster year scoring 19.3 PPG. 6.1 RPG, and just became the 51st member of PC’s 1,000-point club. Watson is shooting 64.2% from the floor and Villanova fans may disagree but he is the best low-post scoring big man in the conference. He has also added a steady mid-range shot that his made him even more dangerous. Wednesday against Butler he had 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting and PC probably wishes they gave him more touches. Watson should have no problem scoring against DePaul, especially if Romeo Weems and Jaylen Butz are out, as they both missed the opener due to COVID protocol and there is no time set when they will return. One thing to keep in mind about Watson though is that he has a history of foul trouble, albeit he has managed to stay out of trouble for the most part this season. Watson may be the best value play worthy of the Captain/MVP slot.

Javon Freeman-Liberty, G, DePaul (DK - $15,000; FD - $12,500_

Javon Freeman-Liberty was a great player at Valparaiso before the Chicago native decided to transfer home to DePaul. Freeman-Liberty averaged 19.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 3.2 APG and was a first team all-MVC for the Crusaders last year. Typically, from my own team’s experience, I’m weary about guys transferring into the Big East especially early on. A lot of guys who transfer from lower conferences tend to struggle adjusting to the speed and physicality of the Big East. Freeman-Liberty may be an exception to this, as he seems to have good size and athleticism.  He may be a tad overvalued because of the big game in the opener but he looks legit and the matchup vs David Duke will be one to watch.

Other Players To Target

Nick Ongenda, F, DePaul (DK - $6,800; FD -$11,000)

The Blue Demons are really going to have to lean on Ongenda giving them point production in their frontcourt with potentially missing Weems and Butz. Whether he can do it in this one remains to be seen but what I like about Nick is his rebounding and rim protection. In his 12-point debut he was able to block six shots and grab three rebounds. Now if Weems is able to go I do like Weems better (would include Weems in captain/mvp if his status was certain), but Ongenda offers great value whether Weems is in or not.

Kobe Elvis, G, DePaul  (DK - $3,800; FD - $9,500)

First off Kobe Elvis should be featured in this year’s all-name team (DePaul has a few candidates) but in all seriousness I like the freshman’s value. Even though DePaul has remained in the Big East basement, Dave Leito has recruited an infusion of talent to the program. The Canadian guard scored 12 points and added four assists in the opener, while going 2-for-3 from deep. Expect Elvis to be the first guard off the bench for the Blue Demons.

Jared Bynum, G, Providence  (DK - $5,800; FD -  $8,500)

I mentioned some transfers from smaller conferences struggle to adjust to the Big East, well the St. Joe’s transfer Jared Bynum falls in this category. Bynum has been the starting point guard for the Friars but has struggled to get his offense going this season. What makes him valuable is that he has no problem getting his teammates going. Through eight games Bynum has 37 assists and only nine turnovers. With more game experience Bynum should be able to get his offense back in rhythm but don’t count on him hitting a three for you, he is 2-for-23 from deep on the year.

Jimmy Nichols, F, Providence (DK - $2,600; FD - $7,500)

Outside of David Duke Jr and Nate Watson the Friars have really struggled on offense in the half court. After the Butler loss there have been rumblings in Friartown of a potential starting lineup change. Jimmy Nichols’ recent performances have him in line for a bump in minutes. In the last three games Nichols has scored 26 points on 11-of-12 shooting. It isn’t always pretty but Nichols uses his extensive length effectively. I think Nichols will be inserted into the starting five for this one but even if he doesn’t expect him to exceed 11.5 minutes he has averaged this season. He could be the steal of the showdown.