Tuesday $15 Buy In $3K to the Winner

Happy Tuesday, Bucketheads! We have a good sized slate ready to go tonight featuring a ton of ranked teams and plenty of ACC and B1G action. While there are some mega DFS match-ups that didn’t make the cut for tonight’s slate, we still have everything written up for you to consume before the (earlier than normal) 5:30 tip.

Okay… I got the rah rah stuff in, but I need to go on a rant here (this is Joe). Slates like this drive me absolutely crazy. On the surface it’s fine. Ranked teams everywhere, plenty of good teams and some diverse games. What I hate here is that it reflects on how out of touch DraftKings can be with the CBB community. I get it… we aren’t the NFL, NBA, or PGA, but we have loyal players in a really fun sport that is dying to grow. Yet this shows us you don’t have interest in the CBB product. Here is what I am talking about:

On one hand we have known teams in the top 25 all over the slate to bring in the average fan.
On the other, our featured tournament is a $15 buy in which is too much for the average fan.
If you want to play less than $5 or less the biggest tourney maxes out at $100 to the winner.

If DraftKings is playing the the CBB diehards give us the games we want. Give us Auburn @ Georgia and its 159 over/under, but instead we get Tennessee @ Ole Miss (124) or Purdue @ 9-8 Maryland (134) that starts 30 minutes before a standard tip. If you are playing to the average fan get a few tournaments out there at $5 or less where a Buckethead could actually win a little money. And don’t get me started on including the Kentucky @ Missouri game DK knew was rescheduled for Wednesday…

Your boys @CBB_DFS truly love college basketball DFS. So do our Bucketheads. We are going to play every day regardless of slate make-up, but seeing this continues to remind us that there is little support from the powers-that-be behind the product, and eventually any momentum in the product will start to shrink. I am off my soap box. Good luck tonight, Bucketheads!

Tennessee -5.5, (124), 6:00

#11 Tennessee @ Ole Miss

So here we are with Tennessee and Ole Miss first on our list organized by total points. Over/Under here is 124.5 so we want to limit exposure. The visiting Vols are favored and priced to match this game flow. Ole Miss allows opponents to shoot over 36% from 3 so give a bump to Tennessee shooters Santiago Vescovi (G, 6000), Josiah-Jordan James (G/F, 6600), and Victor Bailey (G, 4700). The freshmen Keon Johnson (G, 5000) and Jaden Springer (G, 6600) have the highest usage rates on the team and could see additional minutes if Yves Pons (G/F, 6200) doesn’t play. His absence would also create a full load for John Fulkerson (F, 6100) and additional time at the 4 for the aforementioned JJJ.

Tennessee is elite defensively, while Ole Miss is borderline inept offensively. Devonta Shuler (G, 6900) has the team’s best usage rate and adds ancillary production, but don’t. Jarkel Joiner (G, 6800) is scoring dependent and shooting 22% from deep. If you want some of the Rebels it may be best to look at the forwards. Romello White (F, 5200) and Luis Rodriguez (G/F, 5100) could muck their way to 4-5x. KJ Bufffen (F, 4500) is in Kermit’s doghouse so he played just 5 minutes last game. Robert Allen (F, 4400) instead played a career high 32 minutes and ended with 24 DK.

Tennessee -5.5, (124), 6:00

Maryland -1, (134) – 5:30

#24 Purdue @ Maryland

Trevion Williams (F, 8500) only had 22 DK last time these teams played, but that was in 16 minutes. Always foul risk, but huge upside, coming off 5x vs Minny. The freshman pair, Brandon Newman (G, 5700) and Jaden Ivey (G, 5600) have been breathing life into the Boilermakers. Newman coming off 42 DK, and Ivey 5x last time vs MD. Both are GPP gambles tonight. Eric Hunter (G, 5100) is in play for cash and big Zach Edey(F, 4300) is a value play in tournaments, 5x last time with Williams in foul trouble.

Donta Scott (F, 7300) leads the way for the Terrapins somehow; 5x/4x in last 2 games and 4x last time vs Purdue, likely better options on the slate. Eric Ayala (G, 6300) has shown 5x a couple times at that price but probably a better cash play. Aaron Wiggins (G/F, 6100) is still priced down and feels like the best GPP play of the bunch, 30 DK last time. Darryl Morsell (G, 5300) is priced right.

Maryland -1, (134) – 5:30

UNC -3, (134) – 6:00

North Carolina @ Clemson

UNC has won 6 of their last 7, but this could be a trap game with Duke scheduled this weekend. Armando Bacot (F, 7800) is showing some alpha personality lately down low, seizing the lead forward role on a stacked UNC frontline. He’s priced at a season high and Clemson plays slow as molasses, but still a viable 4x option. I prefer Garrison Brooks (F, 6200) for $300 less than Day’Ron Sharpe, as Brooks is playing 10+ minutes more per game than Sharpe of late. Caleb Love’s (G, 5800) price is creeping up, but Clemson getting torched behind the arc and we know Love isn’t afraid to shoot. Leaky Black (G/F, 5600) priced down and really steady cash option tonight and RJ Davis (G, 4500) a potential flyer given his ability to shoot the basketball.

Clemson was 9-1 in mid-January, so they are certainly ready for the change in calendar. Aamir Simms (F, 7000) is literally the only reliable option on this team. I know we don’t like going against UNC’s front line, but he did have a massive game against them last year and coming off 5x over his last 2 at this price point. I could waste your time going through the rest of the Tigers, but outside of maybe Al-Amir Dawes (G, 4400), I’m going to stay away in a low over/under on a big slate.

UNC -3, (134) – 6:00

Wisconsin -7.5, (138) – 7:30

Penn State @ #19 Wisconsin

It’s double-take Tuesday, yes, these two teams just played against each other on Saturday. PSU won that one in U-Park 81-71. This one is in Madison, where the Badgers have lost twice. Seth Lundy (F, 5800) was the talk of the town for a couple weeks but Myles Dread (G, 3500) is back, cutting down Lundy’s PT, thus his price. Still think Lundy has some GPP pop at that price, he was $8100 a week ago. Izaiah Brockington (G/F, 7400) went 5x last game. Recent form is solid and shot share high (29%) but maybe a better cash play. Myreon Jones (G, 6400) bounced back with 30 DK and his price dropped, so he’s squarely in play for GPP. John Harrar (F, 6500) has B2B 32 DK games. Jamari Wheeler (G, 5200) had 5x but priced up now so more of a gamble.

D’Mitrik Trice (G, 6700) was someone I really liked over the weekend, but he laid a complete egg, turning in a season low 11 DK. We get a tiny price drop so might be worth rerunning him. On the flip side, Tyler Wahl (F, 5500) had his best game, 33 DK. I don’t foresee a repeat for him. Aleem Ford (F, 5400) is a safer play. You can pick one of Micah Potter (F, 5300) and Nate Reuvers (F, 4900). Reuvers hit 6x last game but either should have a matchup advantage. If the Badgers were Goodfellas, then Brad Davison (G, 4800) would be Joe Pesci because he’s always breaking your balls. Ooohhh!

Wisconsin -7.5, (138) – 7:30

USC -2, (140) – 8:00

USC @ Stanford

Difficult to write this game up without the status of Stanford’s 3 starters, but we’ll do our best. Let’s start with USC though, as they’ll get a pace up game and look to improve on their 7-2 conference record. We called out the lack of alpha mentality Evan Mobley (F, 9500) displayed in December and maybe he listened because he’s been an absolute beast in 2021. He’s priced up but has 40+ DK potential every night he steps on the court, especially if Stanford is still missing starters. Big brother Isaiah Mobley (F, 6000) is more of a tourney target, but has shown 5x upside and price is way down. I prefer Tahj Eaddy (G, 5900) for $100 less than Drew Peterson, as Peterson’s minutes have declined over the last 3 after a hot January. Ethan Anderson (G, 4200) is a punt option as he works himself back into the rotation.

Oscar Da Silva (F, 8200) will continue to be a usage hog if the starters are out, but tough matchup against the USC bigs. Jaiden Delaire (F, 6900) is overpriced, especially if the starters return. If they miss, he’s a fringe 4x option at this price but, but would continue to be the secondary scoring option until the starters return. Michael O’Connell (G, 6000) has been rock solid at PG with Davis out and remains a high floor play if Davis misses again. If Ziaire Williams (F, 7500) and Daejon Davis (G, 6100) play, Williams is more of a tourney option given his high price while Davis would be a solid cash target with a high floor. Lukas Kisunas (F, 4100) and Noah Taitz (G, 4100) would be in play as punts if the starters miss another game. Keep your eyes peeled to @NCAAFantasyHoop for the latest status updates on this game and all injury and starting lineup news. Best of luck tonight Bucketheads!!

USC -2, (140) – 8:00

Illinois -3.5, (143) – 8:00

#12 Illinois @ Indiana

It looked like Ayo Dosunmu (G, 8100) was going to break the slate in the first half of the Iowa game. He ended up at close to 5x on the day. He’s only up $400 so playable again. Worth noting his rebounding is down some since Jacob Grandison (G/F, 4700) began starting. He had 11 and 10 vs Iowa but I don’t foresee a repeat. Kofi Cockburn (F, 8300) was trouble for Indiana the first time, going 5x. He still has a matchup advantage but maybe closer to 4x tonight. Indiana does give up the 3, so Trent Frazier (G, 5600) or Adam Miller (G/F, 4300) could pop. The latter had his worst game against IU.

Trayce Jackson-Davis (F, 8700) had 31 DK against Illinois the first time. I like this spot for him at home and think he could have a big day. Armaan Franklin (G, 6700) is questionable with an ankle. He went 5x last time so in play if he goes. Rob Phinisee (G, 5900) has been terrific lately, with a couple 7x games in his last 4. He’s torched the Illini in the past, so could be a solid play even with the price increase.

Illinois -3.5, (143) – 8:00

Baylor -6, (144) – 6:00

#2 Baylor @ #6 Texas

I was a little surprised at a mid-140s over/under given the defensive minded nature of both teams, but certainly a playable total. However, Jared Butler (G, 9000) and Davion Mitchell (G, 8000) feel really high priced. Butler is the best player in the Big 12, but even hitting 4x at this price is going to be tough on the road vs. a solid Texas D. Mitchell is an elite defender and his assist rates are up lately, but certainly only a tourney option given his price point and fact he has 3 sub-20 DK performances in his last 7. MaCio Teague’s (G, 5900) price is dropping, putting him back in playable range as a scoring dependent 4x option. Mark Vital (G/F, 5200) had some foul trouble last game. As long as he gets the minutes, he’s a reliable option. Adam Flagler (G, 5000) remains a boom or bust tourney option, but doesn’t profile well against the Longhorns, who are elite at limiting 3s and holding teams to 28.4% from 3 when they do take them. I like JTT (F, 4800) to play more minutes against the length of Texas down low, raising his floor a bit. Matthew Mayer (G/F, 4800) has 4x/5x in back-to-back despite 15 minutes per game, but at 6’9 his length matches up well to Texas.

Andrew Jones (G/F, 7700) is playing 85% of the minutes with 28% shot share, creating a high floor despite an extremely tough matchup vs. Baylor’s top 3 D in the nation. Courtney Ramey (G, 7100) is expected back, but price is up almost $2k and coming off a COVID pause, so there is some risk. In games versus Tier 1 opponents, Greg Brown (F, 6800) has seen his lowest usage and highest turnover rates. He’s still an elite talent and price is fair, but probably more of a tourney play only. Matthew Coleman III (G, 6200) is a steady presence at PG and price is at a season low. He’ll probably have Mitchell on him, who is the best on the ball defender in the country, making Coleman a 4x option only with a lower ceiling. Kai Jones (F, 6000) went bananas when the rest of the post men were out, but they are both back, making him overpriced. I prefer Jericho Sims (F, 5100), who has actually been fantastic this year and coming off 6x/4x/egg/5x/5x at this price point prior to his COVID break. Jase Febres (G, 4200) is back and playing over 20 minutes a game if you need a flyer.

Baylor -6, (144) – 6:00

Iowa -10, (156) – 6:00

Michigan State @ #8 Iowa

Sparty has lost 6-of 8 including three straight. Their best win of the season is Duke on December 1^st and then Rutgers, who won the rematch by 30 last Thursday. Weird year for Izzo and his crew and it doesn’t get easier tonight when they travel to Iowa. From a DFS standpoint MSU will be forced to score to stay in this one so there are options. Aaron Henry (F, 7200) leads the team in usage and minutes so he is playable in all formats. Joey Hauser (F, 5600) and Josh Langford (G, 5400) are playing safe minutes and have GPP upside thanks to Iowa’s style. After that Sparty is a bit of a guessing game, so if you like the roulette table feel free to fire up one of their sub 4400 guys and hope to get lucky. I may put a few chips on Rocket Watts (G, 4100) in a GPP.

Garza (F, $10,000) was bottled up by Illinois, but he hasn’t had less than 20 real points against Michigan State since he was a freshman. This isn’t the same Sparty D, so good bounce back spot for him if you have the cap space. Joe Wisekamp (G/F, 7900) could draw a lot of Henry so consider him more of a cash option. Jordan Bohannon (G, 6100) has been well under value in 3-straight, so cash only expectations as well. Forwards Keegan Murray (5200) and Jack Nunge (4700) maximize their minutes and are fun GPP options. Murray is getting much more PT of late. Connor McCaffery (G/F, 4900) is in play for GPP too, and if CJ Fredrick (G, 4000) misses his second straight game. His absence just raises Murray and McCaffery’s floor.

Iowa -10, (156) – 6:00

Prize Picks – Feb. 2nd

D’Mitrik Trice

Wisconsin

Yeah, I’m going to double down on him. No one believes in him except for me, LFG OVER 24.2!

– James

Rasir Bolton

Iowa State

The game has a nice 144.5 o/u and Bolton plays 89% of the minutes with 28% possession rate, so we know he’ll have the ball in his hands a ton. I like the OVER 25.5.

– Byrd

Devontae Shuler

Ole Miss

I like Shuler as a player, but Ole Miss is offensively challenged, and playing Tennessee doesn’t help that. Even with a couple steals I don’t know how he gets 25 fantasy points. Give me the UNDER.

– Joe