It feels like this week is flying by, but it might just be the excitement of the final push to March Madness. Baylor and WVU provided us some afternoon delight yesterday, followed by an Illini beatdown of Michigan in Ann Arbor. It was a fun night of college hoops, especially for this Central IL based operation.
The best part is that was just an appetizer for what is to come over the next month or so. However, we can’t get ahead of ourselves, as there is a lot more money to win between now and the tourney. Let’s refocus on the task at hand and that is tonight’s 9 game DraftKings slate. Tonight’s 9 gamer consists of a mix of ACC, SEC, Big East and B1G matchups, along with a two part Pac-12 finale to end the slate. The tournament locks at 5:30 CST, so be sure to get your lineups in early, put your highest priced players with the latest tip times in your utility spots for max pivot flexibility, and win all the money Bucketheads!!
Maryland @ Northwestern
Eric Ayala (G, 7700) is coming off a couple 38 DK games in his last 3. He’s at max price, but you have to like the matchup. Aaron Wiggins (G/F, 7600) is a solid GPP option, 4 5x games in last 8. Donta Scott (F, 7000) is a good cash option and Darryl Morsell (G, 5100) should see plenty of driving lanes. Not crazy about Hakim Hart (G/F, 5000), but he shouldn’t hurt you in cash games.
Pete Nance (F, 5900) and Ryan Young (F, 4200) should have some rebounding upside in this one. Maryland is solid defensively but can get beat in the middle at times. Boo Buie (G, 6400) has reemerged lately but he’s priced up $1800 which may put him out of reach for most. Chase Audige (G, 6100) is the one Wildcat that can score in bursts. Not in great form, but you can take a chance. Miller Kopp (F, 4800) did snap his cold shooting streak last game. Not in love with the matchup but you can gamble.
UCLA @ Oregon
The top 3 teams in the Pac-12 square off in the final tips of the DK slate tonight, starting with UCLA and Oregon, who are tied at the top with 4 losses each. All of UCLA’s losses are on the road and they can be beaten by the 3 ball. I’ll also admit I have some bias here as I think UCLA is a very average team and the Ducks are a sleeper, so keep that in mind as you read this. Jaime Jacquez, Jr. (G/F, 7200) only has two 30+ DK performances in 2021, so he’s shown limited upside. Johnny Juzang, Jr. (G, 6600) has been their most consistent performer and should get a ton of looks from deep, so I don’t mind him at this price point. Tygar Campbell (G, 5800) has underperformed of late as well, but at least his price is low if you think he can regain his early season form. Jules Bernard (G/F, 5600) has shown some tourney upside, but certainly volatile. Oregon can be exposed down low, so Cody Riley (F, 5300) is a 4x option, but his limited minutes hurt his upside.
Chris Duarte (G, 8600) has 30+ DK upside every time he’s on a slate. The over/under here isn’t great, but UCLA does give up looks from 3 and I think he’ll have lower ownership than some of the other options in this price range. LJ Figueroa (G/F, 8000) remains priced above Eugene Omoruyi (G/F, 7800). Omoruyi has a higher floor and similar upside, so I prefer him for $200 less. Eric Williams, Jr (F, 5700) will play a lot of minutes and has a spike performance here and there if you are feeling lucky. Will Richardson (G, 4900) is a great 4x cash option as well. I think the Ducks cover the -4 as well. Quack, quack.
Connecticut @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall won this match-up in Storrs back on 2/6, when the Huskies were without star James Bouknight (G, 8400). That game cruised to a point total of 153 by almost 20 points greater than the one we have tonight. With Bouknight back and back to his old ways, he is a live play tonight. His return hasn’t slowed down RJ Cole (G, 7400) who has gone 4x in 3-of-4 with a 45 DK outburst. I like Cole more in cash games, and in that mix we can include Tyrese Martin (G/F, 5800) who is as steady as they come for the Huskies. The UConn front court gets a little more GPP-ish. Isaiah Whaley (F, 5500) is at a season low price point making him intriguing. Adama Sanogo (F, 4300) and Tyler Polley (F, 4100) are options with boom or bust appeal.
It’s senior night for the Pirates as Hall faithful says good bye (virtually) to Sandro Mamukelashivili (F, 8800). Mamu had 35 DK in the first meeting and is in play here. Myles Cale (6,000) and Shavar Reynolds (F, 5400) are also playing their final home game. While I don’t like either in GPP, the narrative make them solid cash options. James Rhoden (G/F, 7100) will be the face of the team next year and is priced to play tonight in all formats. If you think this total is going to go over, I don’t mind taking a player from each side in this one despite the low o/u.
Stanford @ USC
The Trojans get a pace-up game at home and need to right the ship after losing 3 of their last 4. They did win at Stanford 72-66 about a month ago. If Oscar Da Silva (G/F, 7500) misses this one, the Cardinal are in big trouble. Da Silva only had 17 DK in the first matchup against USC and hard to expect a smash performance if he’s not 100% against the Mobley’s down low. I like Daejon Davis (G, 5000) as a 4x option at a significant discount. He’s been hurt this year and had a stinker last game, but we know he’s a good player and he’ll be needed, especially if Da Silva misses. Zairie Williams (F, 4600) would see more minutes if Da Silva misses as well. The former 5-star prospect was excellent early in the year before getting in the doghouse, but he certainly has tourney upside if Da Silva is out. Michael O’Connell (G, 5500) should play 30 minutes as a combo guard and Jaiden Delaire (G/F, 5500) will get close to double digit shot attempts as well. Even Bryce Wills (G, 4500) is worthy of punt consideration, but just keep in mind that USC’s defense is tough, and Stanford would utilize a balanced approach without Da Silva.
Evan Mobley (F, 8200) is severely underpriced and should be the highest owned player on the slate in a pace-up game at home. He had 44 DK in their first matchup. Drew Peterson (G/F, 6200) and priced up, but Stanford does give up the 3. I prefer Tahj Eaddy (G, 5900) for $300 less, who will play more minutes and is an equally good scorer. Isaiah Mobley (F, 5600) is at a season low price point, so he’s a solid 4x option that flashes on occasion. Isaiah White (G, 5000) has 4x/5x over his last two, but those have been outlier performances and his price is up quite a bit. Ethan Anderson (G, 4600) only has one game over 4x in his last 7, so he’s a risky punt option. Get Evan Mobley in your lineup and go from there.
Missouri @ Florida
After a massive win over Alabama on 2/6, Mizzou has lost 4-of-5 and have played themselves on to the bubble in the NCAA tournament. Jeremiah Tilmon (F, 6800) missed two of those games, but has since returned and been put back into the starting lineup. He is a DD threat tonight. Covering the Tiger Smith’s, Dru(6300) will benefit from the pace in this one. Mark (5300) is in excellent form which has raised his price $1000. Mitchell (3900) is still playing around 20 minutes, but with Tilmon back he’s a punt at best. These leaves Kobe Brown (F, 5300) and Xavier Pinson (G, 5200) left of playable Tigers. Brown has gone 4x/5x/6x in his last 3 while Pinson, despite being in horrible form, still has a 31% usage and shot rate.
For Florida, Tre Mann (G, 7900) is the highest priced Gator and is in good form coming off 4x/5x in his last two. Colin Castleton (F, 6500) is next, and he is at his lowest price since 1/12. The match-up isn’t great, but Missouri is prone to blocks, giving him legit GPP upside at this price. Tyrell Appleby (G, 5400) is a cash option, and if you are looking for GPP heat Anthony Duruji (F, 4400), Scottie Lewis (G, 4000) and Noah Locke (G, 3900) are live targets.
NC State @ Notre Dame
Winners of 4 straight the Wolfpack look to pad their bubble resume tonight in South Bend. This game features a nice point total, and a tight line so good plays should be on both sides. James’ on-again off-again relationship with Jericho Hellems (F, 7000) is hot right now after he went for 39.5 DK last time out. If he is going to be active on the glass, you have to like him here. At more of the traditional forward spots DJ Funderburk (F, 6200) and Manny Bates (F, 6400) cannibalize each others production so flip a coin if interested. Cam Hayes (G, 6000) has been the team’s best perimeter player of late with 4x in 3-of-4. Notre Dame is far from a a stout defensive team. If you want a cheap punt option, Braxton Beverly (G, 3800) has some appeal.
Notre Dame is still a 6-man squad led by usage hog Prentiss Hubb (G, 8100). Juwan Durham (F, 6900) and Nate Laszewski (F, 6500) are cash game options at forward. The remaining 3 targets all have some GPP appeal with their ability to get hot from outside. Dane Goodwin (G/F, 6100) is the most expensive of this group, but Trey Wertz (G, 5500) and Cormac Ryan (G, 5300) will play significant minutes and get up shots from deep. It is important to note though that NC State does defend the arc pretty well.
#14 Creighton @ #10 Villanova
This is the marquee game on the slate as #10 and #14 in the nation go head to head. Creighton won this match-up by 16 at home back on 2/13. Marcus Zegarowski (G, 8300) had 25 real points in the win, and finds himself at a season high price point tonight. While we want exposure to this game, I don’t love Zegs at that price or Damien Jefferson (F, 7300) for that matter. I’d rather take my GPP shot on Denzel Mahoney (G/F, 6300) or Christian Bishop (F, 6000). The latter had 36 DK in the first meeting. Rounding out the playable Jays, Mitch Ballock (G, 5300) is a boom or bust GPP option and Ryan Kalklbrenner (F, 4500) is a PPM monster, who typically doesn’t get enough floor time.
Nova’s core hasn’t changed all season and pricing has remained pretty consistent. Tonight Jermiah Robinson-Earl (F, 8500) is a nice target in all formats. He had three 40 DK games in February and has been their most consistent DFS option. Collin Gillespie (G, 7300) has a safe floor, but scored only 22 DK in the first meeting. Have to think he’ll be better at home. Jermaine Samuels (F, 6600) is a little more volatile of a target so GPP only. Speaking of GPP plays Justin Moore (G, 6200) is now in that category with his recent shooting woes (1-for-14 from 3PT over his last 3). The last Wildcat worth mentioning is Caleb Daniels(G/F, 4400). For a cheap price, he has a pretty safe floor and minute share, but he hasn’t shown much of a ceiling beyond 4x.
Minnesota @ Penn State
Penn St has played pretty good perimeter D this year, but they will have to find a way to slow Marcus Carr (G, 9500) who’s priced up $1000 after dropping a 60-burger on Nebraska. I don’t mind the matchup but that’s a hefty price. Jamal Mashburn Jr (G, 5700) has surged lately but so has his price. I’m not confident he’ll be a good tourney play in this game. Eric Curry (F, 5000) is getting Liam Robbins (F, 4700) minutes and I really like him tonight against Penn State’s soft interior D. Obviously go with Robbins if he ends up playing. You can look at Brandon Johnson (F, 5200) as a cash option but no one else jumps out.
Minnesota can give up the 3s (37%), so you can plug Myreon Jones (G, 6900) into your GPP lineups. Jamari Wheeler (G, 6700) is seen a stiff price increase after back-to-back 6x games. Decent matchup, but I wouldn’t expect similar results. If Robbins doesn’t go, then I like John Harrar (F, 6100) quite a bit. He’s struggled a little lately so price is nice. Izaiah Brockington (G/F, 5700) has really cooled off. His minutes are down but his price is only down a little. He’s a gamble. Sharpshooter Myles Dread (G/F, 5000) is exactly that always; GPP only.
Providence @ St. John’s
Providence is getting paced up here and these two teams totaled 173 when they hooked up on 2/6. In the win, Friar big man Nate Watson (F, 5800) had his best game of the season recording 45 DK without a double double. Love Watson again tonight. David Duke (G, 9000) Is very live as well but could be low owned tonight because of his price tag. Noah Horchler (F, 6700) has been sensational since entering the starting line-up on 2/3, and the return of Jared Bynum (G, 4200) also have Providence ready to make a late push in the Big East. I like all Providence plays, and recommend you stacking this game with a few guys.
We will monitor the status of Posh Alexander (G, 6500) for the Red Storm. He has a busted thumb and is questionable, but the team hasn’t played since 2/23 so I assume he plays. Posh is a stat stuffer who has nice GPP appeal. Julian Champagnie (G/F, 8700) is still the team’s alpha scorer and should have the highest ownership of the guys over 8500 tonight. Rasheem Dunn (G, 5600) is a GPP target under market value, but after him you are getting in to a bit of guessing game as to who will get minutes for St. John’s on a given night. This is a deep and talented team that frequently have different guys emerge, beyond the aforementioned three. Instead if listing the names with a note, I’ll just state buyer beware.
Prize Picks 3/3/21
Nate Watson
Providence
I was over confident yesterday, and I am sure that is why I cost us the 3-for-3. Nate the Great had 30 real points in the first meeting with St. John’s so I like him going OVER 28.6 today.
– Joe
Aamir Simms
Clemson
It’s Syracuse… 18 points and 11 boards last time, I think he can actually exceed that this time to put him OVER 30.0
– James
Oscar Da Silva
Stanford
Da Silva is banged up and going against a long, athletic USC front court. Give me the UNDER 32.2.
– Byrd