Tonight’s 7 game slate should be an intriguing one, as we have lots of solid game environments to choose from. In fact, if we round up, every game on the slate has an over/under of at least 140. Add in the intriguing pricing and we should see some really balanced ownership across all the games, leading to a wide variety of lineup constructions. We’ve got each game covered below, from lowest total to highest. Take a quick read, build your perfect lineup, and win all the money Bucketheads!! Good luck tonight!!
St. John’s @ Butler
The Johnnies have won 6 in a row but will be a slight dog tonight in a game of contrasting styles. Butler controlled pace battle in their first matchup, but the Red Storm won the war with a 69-57 victory vs. a short-handed Butler team. Julian Champagnie (F, 9000) worked hard for his 35 DK in that one and I’d expect a similar result tonight. Posh (G, 7000) has been oh my gosh good of late, scoring at least 30 DK in 7 straight. Butler is a pesky D and will slow tempo, but current form couldn’t be any better. Rasheem Dunn (G, 5800) is the definition of boom or bust, so he’s a tourney option only. Isaih Moore (F, 4700) is priced right in that 4x range despite sub-20 minutes per game. It has not been a Cole world lately for Vince Cole (G, 4400), who has lost minutes to productive Dylan Addae-Wusu (G, 4200). Greg Williams (G, 3700) got 17 minutes last game in a return from injury and was playing 30+ as a starter earlier in the season, so he’s an intriguing punt option if he gets more minutes. Marcellus Earlington (G/F, 3600) has seen increased minutes lately too. The Red Storm have ridiculous depth all of a sudden, which isn’t ideal for DFS purposes.
Bo Hodges (G, 8800) is a swiss army knife that can do a bit of everything. He’s not a great shooter and his price is obnoxious, but in a pace up game he’ll probably find a way to get 4x. Bryce Nze (F, 6700) is the Dawgs best rebounder and can handle the pace of this game. His hit 4x or greater in 6 of his last 7 including 36 DK last time vs. the Johnnies. We pumped Aaron Thompson (G, 4900) on the pod Saturday and he came thru with a nice 6x return, helping one of our Bucketheads to a top 5 finish. He’s still fully in play at this price point. Freshman Chuck Harris (G, 4800) is another solid option in the pace up environment, while Jair Bolden (G/F, 4600) and Bryce Golden (F, 4300) are priced at season lows as potential punt plays for those thinking they might return to the form they showed earlier in the year.
#14 West Virginia @ #7 Texas Tech
When you think about these two teams, you instantly think about hard-nosed defense, but let’s not forget their last matchup was an 88-87 flamethrower win by WVU. DK was right to bump Miles McBride’s salary to a season high price point Saturday, as he answered the challenge by dropping 57 DK. He’s up to a new season high price at $9200 and has certainly earned it, but it is a lot to spend on the road. Derek Culver (F, 8400) should have a size advantage down low and Culver has shown 40+ upside. He struggled in their first matchup but still almost had a double-double, so he’s still in play as a boom or bust tourney option tonight. Taz Sherman (G, 5700) is the designated shooter on this team and he’s on fire of late, including the highest offensive rating in Big 12 play. His price is up and he’s scoring dependent, but Tech gives up 3s so he’s another tourney option. Emmitt Matthews (F, 4400) has seen increased minutes of late and gone 5x over his last 2 if you need a punt.
Mac McClung (G, 8000) had 30 real points against WVU last time and has hit 30+ DK in 5 of his last 6, so form is great, and price is fair despite his scoring dependence. Kevin McCullar (G, 7400) can fill up the stat sheet and is in great form as well, but his price is at a season high. I’d like to be sure Terrence Shannon, Jr. (G, 6200) is 100% healthy, but if so, he’s priced to play as their second-best scorer and rebounder. He had 32 DK vs. WVU in their first matchup. Kyler Edwards (G/F, 5800) is more boom or bust as the 4th scoring option. This should be a game Marcus Santos-Silva (F, 5700) is needed against the physical WVU front line, but I wish his price was lower and he struggled in the first matchup with foul trouble.
Arkansas @ Kentucky
After losing 4-of-5, the Razorbacks have come back to win 4-of-5, salvaging their tournament hopes. Tonight they travel to Rupp to take on the Wildcats. Of the Razorbacks, Moses Moody (G/F, 6800) and JD Notae (G, 5000) are my favorite plays. Both get a bigger bump if Desi Sills (G, 4500) misses this one. His absence also would ensure that the other guards Jalen Tate (6400) and Davonte Davis (5500) are strong cash options. At forward Justin Smith (5500) is considered probable and Jaylin Williams (3200) is expected back, but may be limited. Connor Vanover (6000) should get plenty of run in this game as UK won’t pace him out of the contest.
With the Razorbacks pushing the tempo, Kentucky players are the ones getting paced up. This gives a bump to Brandon Boston (G/F, 5600) and Keion Brooks (F, 6900), the latter coming off a 42 DK outing in his last game. The PG tandem of Devin Askew (4900) and Davion Mintz (5300) are a little uninspiring, but priced to play. At forward Olivier Sarr (5400) and Isaiah Jackson (5000) are GPP options. Sadly news broke this week that stud freshman Terrence Clarke (G, 4000) will probably be lost for the season.
Penn State @ Michigan State
Both of these teams possess stingy perimeter defenses, but like someone who’s guarding Wisconsin’s Brad Davison, tend to get beat up down low. Izaiah Brockington (G/F, 6700) has had 25+ DK in 8 of 10 games, so he’s an excellent cash play but will likely draw Henry. John Harrar (F, 6300) has been outstanding in B1G play, great matchup tonight for all formats. Myreon Jones (G, 6300) is on a bit of slide following a couple bad games. The price isn’t as low as we’d like but hard to think he’ll repeat 1-9 shooting. Jamari Wheeler (G, 5400) is at max price and isn’t as appealing as normal.
Aaron Henry (F, 8300) is almost the whole show for Sparty. The athletic and rangy Lions’ guards have been holding opposing wings to low output, so some risk, but he does enough otherwise to be safe in cash. Great matchup for the Michigan St front court as Penn St gives up 56% from 2. Joey Hauser (F, 4800) has been a mixed bag, but for the price, he could have exceptional value here. Marcus Bingham (F, 4100) is coming off 5x but minutes are still a major concern for him, however they are going up as of late. Josh Langford (G, 5100) is averaging 4x over last 3, getting plenty of shots up now so he’s playable. Not super crazy about the rest of the roster, mostly gambles.
Syracuse @ North Carolina State
These two teams just met a week ago. The Wolfpack lost that one by 3 on the road, but they’re in Raleigh tonight. The Orange are led by Alan Griffin (F, 7900) who went 6x on 13 shots. A bulk of that came from his 3 blocks and 4 steals. He has too high a ceiling to disregard in GPP and down $800 but hard to expect a repeat. Quincy Guerier (F, 7800) is also down slightly after 3 subpar games in a row. He just needs shots to go down so still viable in GPP. Marek Dolezaj (F, 6600) had one of his better games of the season against the Wolfpack, going 6x. That was a bit of an outlier, but you can roll him out again. Similar story with Buddy Boeheim (G, 6000) and Joe Girard (G, 5900) who are fully shot-dependent, tournament only. Kadary Richmond (G, 4600) is a serviceable value option.
Manny Bates (F, 7400) had a career night vs Cuse last time, pouring in 47 DK. While it’s hard to expect that again now that DJ Funderburk (F, 4900) is back, the matchup is juicy. Both are solid GPP plays against the zone. Jericole Hellems (F, 7200) is the go-to scoring option with Daniels out. His price is fair; 7x at The Carrier Dome. Fr. Shekeel Moore (G, 5600) snapped out against BC last game going 8-12 for 7x; boom/bust GPP play. The rest of the roster are dart throws.
#19 Creighton @ Georgetown
Creighton has an implied point total of 79 tonight and only lead guard Zegarowski (7600) is over $6.5K. Bluejays are priced to play against Georgetown. Love Damien Jefferson (F, 6400) and Denzel Mahoney (G/F, 6500) in this one. Ballock (F, 6100) may be a little high for me as he has only been 4x this price 3 times since mid December. Christian Bishop (F, 5600) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (F, 4200) could be contrarian GPP options against a G-Town D that ranks 117th in efficiency.
Jahvon Blair (G, 8100) boasts the highest shot share on the team and never comes off the floor. He is a safe cash option with a 5x ceiling. For $800 less you could also target Jamorko Pickett (G/F, 7300) who has a similar profile. Qudus Wahab (F, 6200) plays a lot of minutes for a big and is always a DD threat especially against Creighton’s thin interior. Chudier Bile (F, 5800) should be named “Chucker Bile” as his 25% shot share trails only Blair, and he is getting starter minutes lately. Finally, Dante Harris (G, 5200) and Donald Carey (G, 4800) are cash options.
#11 Alabama @ South Carolina
Straight fire ?out of the gate! Once again Alabama is a 6:00 tip and the slate’s highest over/under launches us into action. Both of these teams want to play fast and no one is over 7.5K. Let’s go! For the Tide we will monitor the status of Herb Jones (G/F, 7100). Oats has talked of giving the stud’s sore back a day off. If Jones and his 24% usage sit, Petty (G, 7000) and Shackelford (G, 6600) should cary more of the load making them both intriguing GPP options. After those two it is value time for Bama. Jahvon Quinnerly (G, 4300), the team’s only true PG, and wings Keon Ellis (G, 4700) and Joshua Primo (G, 4100) all will need to step up. Forwards Alex Reese (4500), Juwan Gary (3500), and James Rojas (3400) will also factor too, as Herb spends a lot of time in the post for the Tide.
South Carolina has a 3-headed monster dominating the ball. AJ Lawson (G, 7500), Jermaine Cousinard (G/F, 6000) and Keyshawn Bryant (F, 5900) all have shot shares over 27% and contribute ancillary production raising their floors. I recommend all three and at their price points, you can play two with confidence. Justin Minaya (F, 5300) is a hard pass not exceeding 10 DK in his last two. Former UNC guard Seventh Woods (4400) is getting steady minutes and could be a cheap cash option.
Prize Picks – 2/9/21
Matthew Hurt
Duke
Hurt has very little to no steal and block upside, which really “hurts” him from a Prize Picks perspective. Hence he goes UNDER 29.4 tonight.
– Byrd
Jericole Hellems
NC State
Had a fantasy score of 40 at the Carrier Dome last week on 19 shots. He’s the alpha scorer on the team with rebound upside. I don’t think he’ll repeat but should easily get OVER 24.0
– James
A.J. Lawson
South Carolina
This game has the highest over/under on the slate and AJ Lawson has been sensational this year. Playing at home with a hot tempo and lots of possessions, Lawson goes OVER 26.8.
– Joe