Just like last night, tonight’s DFS CBB contains just two games and is only available on DraftKings. What is different is the quality of teams in action which all contain solid plays, both high-priced and cheap. However, the strategy is the same on such a small slate - the room for error is smaller than usual when building lineups. If you miss out on that one 50-point performance, it becomes extremely tough to cash.  

As we did last night, we’ll simply break down both of the games and then outline the top two DFS options for each team with one value play to consider as well.

First, the matchups.

Illinois-Chicago plays a rare road game in their home city as they travel to DePaul’s Chicago arena, tipping off at 7 pm ET. DePaul, entering as 9-point favorites with a 153.5 over/under, are top 100 in offensive and defensive efficiency, per KenPom. Illinois-Chicago is considerably worse in those categories but does possess the 69th-fastest team in the nation in terms of adjusted pace.

In a matchup with 169 expected points, Creighton is 18-point favorites at home. Green Bay play at the 9th-fastest tempo in the nation, per KenPom, and could cover this line with how many shots they put up. Creighton, meanwhile, is 8th in the country in offensive efficiency and run at a top 100 pace itself. This one tips off at 9 pm ET.

DePaul  

Max Strus ($8,400) - The senior does a lot for DePaul on both ends, making his fantasy floor extremely high for a guard. Strus has the scoring ability to drop 25 at any point - which he’s done three times this season - while possessing the rebound and assist upside to still return 34 fantasy points despite making just two buckets - like he did in a game back in November. Strus can also fire from deep at a high clip as he’s launched double-digits from deep in three games this season.

Eli Cain ($7,500) - Cain is another DePaul guard who does a little of everything - something we love targeting in DFS CBB lineups. He’s played at least 30 minutes in every contest this season with per game averages of 14 points, 5.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Throw in a steal per game and Cain gives you another high floor of 25-30 fantasy points on a nightly basis.

Jalen Coleman-Lands ($4,600) - The price is interesting for the Illinois transfer as he’s consistently playing 30 minutes and has really come on lately, scoring more for DePaul. Over the past five games, Coleman-Lands has scored in double-digits four times with the majority of his shot attempts coming from 3-point range. If he gives you 20 fantasy points at this price - a very realistic possibility if his usage continues - it’s hard to overlook him.

Illinois-Chicago

Tarkus Ferguson ($9,100) - People may be discouraged to pay for the unknown in Ferguson at this high of a price - especially after a six-point fantasy dud of a performance last game out. Yet, don’t be scared off by that outlier as it was by far the worst game of Ferguson’s season. As the do-it-all point guard for UIC, Ferguson can post a triple-double on any night and give you 50 fantasy points - a number he’s reached three times this year. Against the better team in DePaul, you can bet Ferguson will be back to his 15-6-6 averages.

Marcus Ottey ($6,700) - Even at this depressed price, Ottey remains the UIC’s leading scorer. Although he tends to get into foul trouble, Ottey has shot double-digit attempts in every game but one this season and has scored at least 17 in seven of 10 games. With DePaul favored by nine in this one, expect Ottey to continue taking 10+ shots as UIC will need all the scoring it can get.

Michael Diggins ($3,900) - Coming off the bench for UIC, Diggins’ playing time has been a little erratic this season. Still, he is the best scoring option off the pine for the Flames and if he gets his 25-30 minutes, he’ll return value at this price. He’s one of the better cheap plays on the slate because of how many fantasy points he can provide at less than $4,000 - a rare find among tonight’s four teams.

Creighton

Ty-Shon Alexander ($7,200) - Creighton runs a lot of guard-heavy lineups and Alexander leads the scoring on the team with 18.3 ppg. He’ll play 30+ minutes and shoot double-digits from the field but he is a bit risky. Alexander’s best fantasy performances - and highest scoring outbursts - have come against better opponents, something that Green Bay definitely is not tonight. Against Clemson and Gonzaga, Alexander was outstanding as he raised his play to match the opponent. When facing worse teams this season, though, his fantasy floor is around 25 points. Roster with caution here.

Mitch Ballock ($6,100) - Similar to Alexander, Ballock can be a bit boom-or-bust - but for different reasons. Ballock is taking more than 75% of his shots from 3-point range and over the last five games, just three of his 45 attempts from the field have been from 2-point land. If he’s hitting those three’s, Ballock can score 20 points and be a tournament-winning play. If he’s cold from deep, expect just 15 fantasy points and a risky cash game play.

Martin Krampelj ($4,500) - Although Creighton runs guard-dominant rotations more often than not, Krampelj gets playing time at the 5-spot when they do. With that in mind, we’re including him here solely for his upside in what should be a fast-paced, high-scoring game vs. Green Bay. There should be plenty of rebounds available for Krampelj to scoop up on both ends of the floor. Although he hasn’t recorded a double-double yet this season, there’s real possibility that happens tonight with how often Green Bay launches shots. At worst, you’re getting a piece of a Creighton offense projected to score 92 points.

Green Bay

Sandy Cohen III ($9,500) - As mentioned above, Green Bay plays at one of the nation’s fastest paces and Cohen is the main catalyst of that tempo. He’s the most expensive player on the slate but his do-everything role on this team warrants the price tag. Cohen leads the team in scoring (14.8 ppg) and assists (5.7 apg) and is second in rebounding (5.6 rbg). When Cohen is on the floor a team-leading 30.8 mpg, he also racks up 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest - both team highs as well. This is literally the definition of “putting the team on your back.” His 30-35 fantasy points is the highest floor of the slate.    

Tank Hemphill ($6,600) - Casual DFS players may be scared off by Hemphill’s last two games. You must look past them, though, as both were blowouts and the forward’s usage and playing time were cut short from the 30 minutes he logs normally. Although Creighton is favored by 18 tonight, Hemphill tends to play more when the team is behind rather than leading. He has five games of 28 or more fantasy points this season - all include double-digit real points with four of them coming on 10+ shot attempts. Expect that type of game in a high-scoring battle with Creighton.

Cody Schwartz ($4,500) - After starting the first three games, Schwartz is now coming off the bench for Green Bay - and his fantasy production has skyrocketed. In the five games since moving to a reserve role, he’s averaging 21.1 fantasy points and has scored double-digit points in three of those. Despite playing off the bench, Schwartz is still playing 20 minutes nightly and is making close to 50% of his shots from the field. The value plays on this smaller slate are tough to come by and Schwartz offers real upside among the other options in this price range. 

Example Lineup on DraftKings:

G: Ty-Shon Alexander, CRE ($7,200)

G: Eli Cain, DPU ($7,500)

G: Jalen Coleman-Lands, DPU ($4,600)

F: Michael Diggins, UIC ($3,900)

F: Tank Hemphill, WI-GB ($6,600)

F: Martin Krampelj, CRE ($4,500)

U: Mitch Ballock, CRE ($6,100)

U: Sandy Cohen III, WI-GB ($9,500)