THE SLATE

(w/ Implied Team & Game Totals via KenPom)

  • 7:15 pm ET -- USC (74) vs. Gonzaga (81) -- 155 total

  • 9:57 pm ET -- UCLA (66) vs. Michigan (71) -- 137 total

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Franz WagnerMICHUCLA770030.14750028.37
Wagner has been an elite DFS performer all season but his floor/ceiling combo is raised even higher now with Isaiah Livers out. In the last four games with Livers sidelined, Wagner has put up at least 28 DK each time and is stuffing the stat sheet with his healthy amount of rebounding, assists and points scored in a point-forward role. Expect more of the same tonight as Michigan leans on Wagner and Dickinson to punch a ticket to the Final Four.
Jalen SuggsGONZUSC730030.87710028.53
By Jalen Suggs’ standards, he has not performed like a DFS stud during the Tournament yet. That’s because Gonzaga is winning games easy and center Drew Timme has been a focal point in the offense. In this matchup vs. USC and a tough interior defense, we should expect Suggs and the Zags’ guards to be the playmakers on offense. The freshman has the potential to drop 40+ DK and a triple-double in any given game - and he could easily do that tonight. The price tags on both sites are too good to pass up in a high total game.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.UCLAMICH710026.15670024.63
A number of Bruins have significantly stepped up their play lately and it’s why the team has a chance to reach the Final Four. One of those is Jaquez, who’s put up 32+ DK in three of the last four games including a whopping 40 DK last time out. It’s him and Johnny Juzang mostly running the offense for UCLA right now and both will be leaned on in this one. Jaquez, though, boasts a slightly more valuable in DFS with his higher floor and more consistent ancillary stat production.
Joel AyayiGONZUSC650027.79650025.75
At one point on Saturday, it looked like Joel Ayayi wouldn’t miss from three-point range as he started out 3-for-3 from deep. Well, he actually missed his next seven attempts - but we got a good look at the potential when he gets hot. Even so, Ayayi has scored 12 or more points and grabbed eight or more rebounds in all three Tournament games thus far - and he’s a near-lock for 25-30 DK. Expect him, Suggs and Kispert to play a bigger offensive role in this one with Timme locked down by Mobley.
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Tahj EaddyUSCGONZ600023.09560021.21
While Evan Mobley is the headliner, the Trojans’ best playmaking guard play is Eaddy right now and he’s still too cheap for DFS. Eaddy just went off for 20 points and 27 DK last time out and he had 34 DK with a stuffed stat sheet two games ago. USC will need Eaddy to be active offensively if it wishes to keep pace with Gonzaga tonight. If you’re looking to game stack this one, Eaddy is one to get in from the Trojans’ side of things.
Andrew NembhardGONZUSC550020.97540019.72
All season long Nembhard has played in the shadow of both Jalen Suggs and Joel Ayayi in the Gonzaga backcourt - but he was arguably the Zags’ best guard on Saturday. He went off for 17 points and 35 DK while stuffing the stat sheet across the board in the win over Creighton. Though he usually puts up just 20-25 DK at best and barely scratches double figures in points scored - we got a good look at his fantasy ceiling over the weekend. Another performance like that would be a massive value in the 5k price range. Gonzaga will need its guards to be offensive playmakers in this one and Nembhard should play a big role again.
Tyger CampbellUCLAMICH510022.5510021.14
It’s amazing to see Campbell priced at $5100 on both sites now, considering he was 7k as UCLA’s best player at one point. His DFS value has drastically changed and it’s rare to see him get above 25 DK these days. Yet, the Bruins’ point guard just had 29 DK last time out in one of his best games in over a month. For these cheap salaries, he’s worth a shot in GPP for the chance he keeps the hot streak going and smashes value once again.
Chaundee Brown Jr.MICHUCLA430013.59440012.39
With Isaiah Livers out, Brown is benefiting from an increase in offensive role and playing time. The senior wing has scored 21 and 12 points in the last two games and put up 28 and 17 DK in those outings. Despite the uptick in DFS and real life production, it’s odd to see the sites still price him below 5k. Well, let’s take advantage while we can and pounce on one of the better bargains on this short slate.

Other Guards to Consider

  • Johnny Juzang - UCLA ($6,800 DK / $6,200 FD)

  • Eli Brooks - Michigan ($5,800 DK / $5,300 FD)

  • Mike Smith - Michigan ($5,300 DK / $4,900 FD)

  • Drew Peterson - USC ($4,700 DK / $4,700 FD)

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Evan MobleyUSCGONZ840038.04850035.69
You might think a matchup vs. Gonzaga is a tough one, but the Zags’ defense isn’t really the strong suit - especially on the interior where center Drew Timme isn’t much of a rim-protector. Expect Evan Mobley to have his way down low on the offensive end, block shots on defense and grab plenty of rebounds. He’s now gone for 40, 43 and 33 DK in three Tournament games thus far and he’s probably going to push 50 DK this time around in a high-scoring matchup. People might look past Mobley with the Gonzaga studs in play, but that’s a mistake.
Drew TimmeGONZUSC820033.59810031.97
Although Timme has a tough head-to-head matchup vs. Evan Mobley, it’s impossible to ignore how dominant Gonzaga’s center has been. Timme has scored 30 and 22 points in the last two games with 55 and 34 DK in those outings, respectively. He’s been a DFS stud all season and we have no reason to expect otherwise tonight. The matchup vs. Mobley, though, makes him a GPP only play because there’s a chance he’s not as dominant as usual.
Corey KispertGONZUSC700031.06700028.69
Though Kispert has taken a slight backseat to teammate Drew Timme these last two games, his 7k price tag on both sites is a bit disrespectful. This is still a player who’s likely a unanimous first-team All-American and can explode for 25-30 points in any given game. In this game where USC boasts a good interior defense but can struggle on the perimeter, expect Kispert to take a ton of three’s and get heavy shot volume for the Zags. He should be popular in cash at these affordable salaries.
Hunter DickinsonMICHUCLA670027.8730025.97
With everyone likely paying up for Mobley and the Gonzaga duo at forward tonight, the best lower-owned GPP stud at the position is Hunter Dickinson. The Michigan center has put up 30+ DK in three of the last four games including both of the past two tourney games vs. LSU and Florida State. He should have a big advantage down low vs. UCLA’s subpar frontcourt and the Wolverines’ offense likely runs through him once again. Target him in GPP’s if fading Mobley/Timme/Kispert.
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Cody RileyUCLAMICH540019.83500018.27
UCLA’s starting center is playing much better in the Tournament and he’s a big reason why the team has made it this far. Riley had a double-double and 33 DK two games ago and then went for 24 DK with 10 points and four blocks vs. Alabama. Though he has a tough individual matchup vs. Michigan big man Hunter Dickinson, that just means more guaranteed playing time for Riley assuming he stays out of foul trouble. There aren’t many value forwards on this two-game slate and Riley is one of the safest options.
Brandon Johns Jr.MICHUCLA52009.6148008.88
Johns has now started the last four games in Isaiah Livers’ absence and his DFS value is a lot more consistent as a bargain play because of the guaranteed playing time. In these four starts, Johns has put up 20, 19, 19 and 28 DK with plenty of stats across the board and a propensity to get to the foul line. He might be the safest cash value on this slate as we can pencil in about 20 fantasy points yet again.
Anton WatsonGONZUSC450016.79410016.12
By no means is Watson a good offensive player, but he’s Gonzaga’s best defender and that makes him just valuable enough for DFS because of his ancillary stats. He put up 17 and 14 DK in the last two games, respectively, despite not logging 20 minutes in either outing. We should expect him to play more in this matchup as the Zags will need to throw multiple bodies at USC center Evan Mobley - and Watson is a better defender than Drew Timme or Corey Kispert.

Other Forwards to Consider

  • Isaiah Mobley - USC ($6,200 DK / $6,000 FD)

  • Jules Bernard - UCLA ($6,100 DK / $5,800 FD)

Example Lineups

The Example Lineups are meant to show roster construction based on players mentioned in the Playbook. They are not meant to be plugged and played.

 

DK Cash FD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GJalen SuggsGONZUSC30.87$7,300 GJalen SuggsGONZUSC28.52$7,100
Pivot     $7,300Pivot     
GAndrew NembhardGONZUSC20.97$5,500 GAndrew NembhardGONZUSC19.72$5,400
PivotDrew PetersonUSCGONZ21.7$4,700$4,700Pivot     
GChaundee Brown Jr.MICHUCLA13.59$4,300 GFranz WagnerMICHUCLA28.37$7,500
Pivot     $4,300Pivot     
FEvan MobleyUSCGONZ38.04$8,400 GMike SmithMICHUCLA19.25$4,900
Pivot     $8,400PivotEli BrooksMICHUCLA19.5$5,300
FCorey KispertGONZUSC31.1$7,000 FEvan MobleyUSCGONZ35.69$8,500
Pivot     $7,000Pivot     
FBrandon Johns Jr.MICHUCLA9.6$5,200 FCorey KispertGONZUSC28.69$7,000
Pivot     $5,200Pivot     
UtilFranz WagnerMICHUCLA30.14$7,700 FBrandon Johns Jr.MICHUCLA8.88$4,800
Pivot     $7,700Pivot     
UtilAnton WatsonGONZUSC16.79$4,500 UtilDrew PetersonUSCGONZ19.93$4,700
PivotMike SmithMICHUCLA21.11$5,300$5,300PivotAnton WatsonGONZUSC16.12$4,100
    Total$49,900     Total$49,900
   Pivot Total$49,900    Pivot Total$49,700
             
DK GPP FD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GJaime Jaquez Jr.UCLAMICH26.15$7,100 GJaime Jaquez Jr.UCLAMICH24.62$6,700
Pivot     $7,100Pivot     
GJoel AyayiGONZUSC27.79$6,500 GJoel AyayiGONZUSC25.74$6,500
Pivot     $6,500Pivot     
GTahj EaddyUSCGONZ23.09$6,000 GTahj EaddyUSCGONZ21.21$5,600
PivotTyger CampbellUCLAMICH22.5$5,100$5,100Pivot     
FDrew TimmeGONZUSC33.59$8,200 GJohnny JuzangUCLAMICH23.08$6,200
Pivot     $8,200PivotTyger CampbellUCLAMICH21.14$5,100
FHunter DickinsonMICHUCLA27.8$6,700 FDrew TimmeGONZUSC31.96$8,100
Pivot     $6,700Pivot     
FCody RileyUCLAMICH19.83$5,400 FHunter DickinsonMICHUCLA25.97$7,300
Pivot     $5,400Pivot     
UtilChaundee Brown Jr.MICHUCLA13.59$4,300 FCody RileyUCLAMICH18.26$5,000
Pivot     $4,300Pivot     
UtilEli BrooksMICHUCLA20.9$5,800 UtilChaundee Brown Jr.MICHUCLA12.39$4,400
PivotIsaiah MobleyUSCGONZ23.76$6,200$6,200PivotAndrew NembhardGONZUSC19.72$5,400
    Total$50,000     Total$49,800
   Pivot Total$49,500    Pivot Total$49,700