Last week we had a great Saturday of hoops only to have Sunday be a complete dud, with the only contest being a showdown between Providence and DePaul. This week we have a bit of the same and probably will be the case until the college football and NFL seasons wrap up. Luckily, there are enough games this Sunday to bring a fun slate for college basketball DFS. Both DraftKings and FanDuel’s main slate for Sunday gets underway at 5:30. DraftKings is running a four-game slate with FanDuel opting for a three-gamer. Both slates feature a few intriguing Big Ten games and a fun one in the American.
The first game of the slate is one where you will want to target with #25 Ohio State visiting #21 Minnesota (5:30, BTN). That should be a high scoring game, as both teams are averaging over 79 PPG. At 6pm Wake Forest takes on Georgia Tech (ESPN) in a game that is on DraftKings’ slate but not FanDuel’s. At 7pm #5 Houston, coming off their first loss of the season, travel to Dallas to take on SMU (ESPN2). The slate wraps up at 7:30 with a Top-25 battle in the Big Ten as #19 Northwestern plays undefeated #16 Michigan. So, while there aren’t a ton of games, both platforms put together a solid slate of action. Let’s get to the playbook!
Games Ranked by Over/Under
1. #25 Ohio St at #21 Minnesota- 5:30pm, BTN- 148
2. #19 Northwestern at #16 Michigan- 7:30pm, BTN- 145
3. #5 Houston at SMU- 7:00pm, ESPN2- 138
4. Wake Forest at Georgia Tech- 6:00pm, ESPN- 138 *game on DK only*
Top Guards | |||||||
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
Marcus Carr | MINN | OSU | 9400 | 38.98 | 8700 | 36.42 | |
In Marcus Carr's last two games he has been held under his scoring average. When you are a scorer like Marcus you don't stay quiet for long and a date with Ohio St seems like just the remedy. Buckeye fans remember Carr very well as he torched them for 46 points in a season sweep of Ohio St. I'm sure Coach Holtmann remembers and will try and make adjustments to slow the Gopher guard down, but will it matter? Obviously the price tag is high so if you want a paydown option look for his teammate, Utah transfer Both Gach ($6100 DK, $6000 FD). Gach is a guy with guard skills but with forward size (he is listed as a Forward on FD) and those guys always create matchup nightmares. With the money save, you can splurge on our next guard if you go that route. | |||||||
Kendric Davis | SMU | HOU | 8500 | 39.5 | 8200 | 37.12 | |
SMU guard Kendrick Davis gives you the best of both worlds with high caliber scoring and passing skills. The diminutive guard is averaging 19.2 PPG and 7.2 APG (13th nationally). At home he tends to step up his game a little more with 20.3 PPG and 8.8 APG. With a top-five team coming into town look for Davis to have a big game for the Mustangs. | |||||||
Jose Alvarado | GT | WF | 8100 | 32.72 | |||
What I love most about Jose Alvarado is the fact Coach Pastner never subs his guard out of the game. The playmaking guard plays 36 minutes per game and provides a good slash line of 17.3/3.6/4. I fully expect the Yellow Jackets to get the win over Wake and Alvarado will play a big role. | |||||||
Boo Buie | NW | MICH | 6800 | 26.91 | 6800 | 24.50 | |
Boo Buie is another guard that has a nice combination of scoring and playmaking ability. The New York native is scoring 12.9 PPG and he's dishing out 5.6 APG. He does a nice job of taking care of the basketball as well with only 1.8 turnovers per game. I think he may have the best value amongst the higher-priced guards but if you want a paydown option look for teammate Chase Audige ($6000 DK & FD). Audige wont give you the assist numbers but puts up the same amount of points and is a bit of a better rebounder. | |||||||
Value Guards | |||||||
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
CJ Walker | OSU | MINN | 5900 | 20.85 | 6200 | 19.40 | |
The Buckeye's backcourt isn't as good as Minnesota's but I think CJ Walker provides great value. Since transferring from FSU, Walker has essentially been the same guard, about nine points per game and about four assists. He has struggled as of late with just 12 points in his last three games but in a game that should be high scoring, this could be a nice bounce back opportunity for Walker. | |||||||
Jordan Usher | GT | WF | 5700 | 24.62 | |||
USC transfer Jordan Usher provides great value in the DraftKings slate, only costing $5,700. Usher is listed as G/F on DK so he also provides some versatility. He is averaging 10.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 2.9 APG. Against a UNC team that has a good front court he was able to score 14 points, so going against Wake Forest should be a piece of cake. | |||||||
Caleb Mills | HOU | SMU | 4600 | 13.56 | 4300 | 12.63 | |
Caleb Mills is THE guy to target in cash games or any contest where you are looking for a cheap option to fill out your roster. The reason being, the sophomore was the Cougars leading scorer last season. This year he has only played in four games and is finally getting back into the rotation. In the last two games Mills has seen 48 minutes of action and scored 23 points. It is a boom or bust play but you aren't going to find many team's leading scorer from the year prior in the $4,000-$5,000 price range. |
Other Guards To Consider:
- Quentin Grimes (DK: $8,800; FD: $7,600) – Price tag is getting a little high so be cautious.
- Franz Wagner (DK: $7,500; FD: $6,300) – Pretty solid price on FD, but he’s G/F eligible on DK.
- Both Gach (DK: $6,100; FD: $6,000)
- Chase Audige (DK: $6,000; FD: $6,000)
Top Forwards | |||||||
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
Hunter Dickinson | MICH | NW | 8800 | 32.56 | 7200 | 30.56 | |
Hunter DIckinson has been a revelation for both the Michigan Wolverines and CBB daily players. The freshman is averaging 16.6 PPG and 8.8 RPG, while shooting a spicy 72.6% from the floor. What is to like most about Dickinson is he has a high floor, as he has scored in double digits in every game played, making him a good choice for GPP contests. He is a bit pricey on DraftKings so if you want a paydown option, Isaiah Livers is your guy. | |||||||
Moses Wright | GT | WF | 8100 | 35.03 | |||
Moses Wright, the senior big man out of Raleigh, is putting up great numbers for the Yellow Jackets. Wright is averaging 18.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG. He has even added a three-point shot this year where he has selective shooting but you have to respect tim as he has seen four-of-ten three's drop. Once again I think GT should have no problem with Wake so get their big players in the lineup. | |||||||
Ethan Chargois | SMU | HOU | 6400 | 29.08 | 7200 | 26.87 | |
I really like Chargois' value on DraftKings with a $6,400 pricetag. Chargois averages 11.5 PPG and has had nine or more rebounds in four-of-six games. Chargois had the rare junior slump for the Mustangs but appears to be back to the great sophomore campaign he had. Get him in your lineup especially if you are playing DraftKings. | |||||||
Pete Nance | NW | MICH | 6300 | 25.31 | 5800 | 23.64 | |
Pete Nance provides a ton of efficiency for the Wildcats and is why he has nice value in both platforms. Nance is shooting 56.3% from the floor and 40% from three. Here's to hoping Nance can replicate what he did to Michigan's in-state rival MSU. Against the Spartans Nance had a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double. Alternatively you could pivot to his teammate that has a similar price tag... See below! | |||||||
Miller Kopp | NW | MICH | 6200 | 24.19 | 5900 | 21.84 | |
Miller Kopp is Northwestern's sharpshooter and that is not good news for the Michigan faithful. Michigan is allowing the opposition to hit the three-point shot at a 37% clip and they've allowed 184 attempts from deep. If Northwestern is going to compete with Michigan they're going to have to knock down three's and Kopp is the guy to do it. | |||||||
Value Forwards | |||||||
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
Feron Hunt | SMU | HOU | 6000 | 26.96 | 6500 | 24.92 | |
If you wanted to go a cheaper route than Ethan Chargois, go with his teammate Feron Hunt. The 6-8 junior is averaging 12 PPG and 7.5 RPG. Hunt also has two double-doubles this season and has secured at least seven rebounds in all but one game this season. | |||||||
Ryan Young | NW | MICH | 5100 | 19.84 | 5500 | 18.44 | |
I've picked a handful of Northwestern players, that doesn't mean I think the Wildcats will upset undefeated Michigan but they have a handful of players that are priced in a way that makes it friendly for DFS. Young hasn't played a ton in his sophomore season but has been efficient with his time. In 15.5 minutes per game he is averaging nine points and six rebounds. Against a team with a good frontcourt in Indiana he logged 22 minutes. Expect Collins to bump his PT in this one. | |||||||
Justice Sueing | OSU | MINN | 4900 | 20.52 | 5700 | 18.90 | |
While Minnesota holds the advantage in the backcourt, Ohio State definitely has the edge in the frontcourt. I would have included EJ Liddell in my top forwards but I see too much value in their cheaper forwards. After a three game stretch where he scored 14 points, Sueing had a nice game in his last game against Nebraska. He had 12 points and six rebounds for the Buckeyes. | |||||||
Seth Towns | OSU | MINN | 4200 | 10.69 | 3000 | 9.82 | |
The Harvard grad transfer was expected to play a big role for the Buckeyes. Injuries early in the season derailed that plan a bit. Chris Holtman has slowly eased him back in. He logged eight total minutes in his first two games back and in his last two he's up to 32. He also scored 11 points in each of those two games. For a cash game he is a type of guy who can lead you to a winning lineup with his dirt cheap pricetag. |
Other Forwards To Consider:
- Liam Robbins (DK: $7,600; $6,900) – Been flirting with a double-double his last two games.
- EJ Liddell (DK: $7,400; FD: $7,000)
- Isaiah Livers (DK: $7,100; FD: $6,600)
- Ody Oguama (DK: $3,500) – DK GPP Only. Likely coming off the bench but he started 20+ games for Wake last year and he has one hell of a motor. In 19 minutes on Thursday he put up seven points, five boards, a dime, and a steal.
Example Lineups
The Example Lineups are meant to offer strategies toward building players included in the Playbook. They are not meant to be plugged and played.
DK Cash | FD Cash | ||||||||||
Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary | Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary |
G | Kendric Davis | SMU | HOU | 39.5 | $8,500 | G | Marcus Carr | MINN | OSU | 36.42 | $8,700 |
Pivot | Marcus Carr | MINN | OSU | 38.98 | $9,400 | Pivot | |||||
G | Both Gach | MINN | OSU | 24.52 | $6,100 | G | Caleb Mills | HOU | SMU | 12.62 | $4,300 |
Pivot | Eli Brooks | MICH | NW | 20.34 | $5,200 | Pivot | |||||
G | Caleb Mills | HOU | SMU | 13.56 | $4,600 | G | Boo Buie | NW | MICH | 24.50 | $6,700 |
Pivot | Pivot | ||||||||||
F | Feron Hunt | SMU | HOU | 26.96 | $6,000 | G | Duane Washington Jr. | OSU | MINN | 22.23 | $5,900 |
Pivot | Ethan Chargois | SMU | HOU | 29.08 | $6,400 | Pivot | |||||
F | Miller Kopp | NW | MICH | 34,2 | $6,200 | F | Seth Towns | OSU | MINN | 9.82 | $3,000 |
Pivot | Robbie Beran | NW | MICH | 15.06 | $4,400 | Pivot | |||||
F | Seth Towns | OSU | MINN | 10.69 | $4,200 | F | Hunter Dickinson | MICH | NW | 30.56 | $7,500 |
Pivot | E.J. Liddell | OSU | MINN | 29.34 | $7,400 | Pivot | Isaiah Livers | MICH | NW | 25.17 | $6,600 |
Util | Jose Alvarado | GT | WF | 32.72 | $8,100 | F | Ethan Chargois | SMU | HOU | 26.87 | $7,200 |
Pivot | Jordan Usher | GT | WF | 24.62 | $5,700 | Pivot | Feron Hunt | SMU | HOU | 24.92 | 6500 |
Util | DeJon Jarreau | HOU | SMU | 22.94 | $6,200 | Util | Isaiah Livers | MICH | NW | 25.17 | $6,600 |
Pivot | Boo Buie | NW | MICH | 26.91 | $6,800 | Pivot | Kendric Davis | SMU | HOU | 37.12 | $8,200 |
Total | $49,900 | Total | $50,000 | ||||||||
Pivot Total | $49,900 | Pivot Total | $50,000 | ||||||||
DK GPP | FD GPP | ||||||||||
Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary | Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary |
G | Jose Alvarado | GT | WF | 32.72 | $8,100 | G | Marcus Sasser | HOU | SMU | 21.86 | $5,700 |
Pivot | Pivot | ||||||||||
G | Jalen Johnson | WF | GT | 20.17 | $4,800 | G | Chase Audige | NW | MICH | 20.97 | $6,000 |
Pivot | Pivot | CJ Walker | OSU | MINN | 19.46 | $6,200 | |||||
G | CJ Walker | OSU | MINN | 20.85 | $5,900 | G | Duane Washington Jr. | OSU | MINN | 22.23 | $6,000 |
Pivot | Pivot | DeJon Jarreau | HOU | SMU | 21.35 | $5,900 | |||||
F | Ethan Chargois | SMU | HOU | 29.08 | $6,400 | G | Franz Wagner | MICH | NW | 26.51 | $6,300 |
Pivot | Pivot | ||||||||||
F | Justice Sueing | OSU | MINN | 20.52 | $4,900 | F | Hunter Dickinson | MICH | NW | 30.56 | $7,500 |
Pivot | Pivot | Isaiah Livers | MICH | NW | 25.17 | $6,600 | |||||
F | Ryan Young | NW | MICH | 19.84 | $5,100 | F | Feron Hunt | SMU | HOU | 24,92 | $6,500 |
Pivot | Jordan Usher | GT | WF | 24.62 | $5,700 | Pivot | E.J. Liddell | OSU | MINN | 28.15 | $7,000 |
Util | Chase Audige | NW | MICH | 23 | $6,000 | F | Pete Nance | NW | MICH | 23.64 | $5,800 |
Pivot | Boo Buie | NW | MICH | 26.91 | $6,800 | Pivot | |||||
Util | Hunter Dickinson | MICH | NW | 32.56 | $8,800 | Util | Both Gach | MINN | OSU | 22.55 | $6,000 |
Pivot | Isaiah Livers | MICH | NW | 27.25 | $7,100 | Pivot | |||||
Total | $50,000 | Total | $49,700 | ||||||||
Pivot Total | $49,900 | Pivot Total | $49,500 |