Highest Scoring Teams:
(by Implied Points & Spreads per KenPom)
Gonzaga -- 79 Points (-13 vs. San Diego) **DK ONLY**
Michigan State -- 79 Points (-11 vs. Minnesota)
Oregon State -- 75 Points (-6 vs. Arizona State) **DK ONLY**
Oregon -- 73 Points (-3 vs. Arizona)
Wichita State -- 72 Points (-4 vs. Memphis)
Saint Mary’s -- 72 Points (-4 vs. BYU) **DK ONLY**
Arizona -- 70 Points (+3 vs. Oregon)
Top Guards
Payton Pritchard - Oregon ($8,200 DK / $7,900 FD)
This slate’s guard pool starts with Pritchard as the most expensive, and he should be highly considered in all formats as one of the safest options in the high end of the position. The senior point guard is averaging 36 DK points over the last ten games and has only put up less than 34 DK points twice during this span. He leads the Ducks in usage rate (27%), shots share (26%), minutes share (84%) and assist rate (33%) this season as he routinely stuffs the stat sheet as the team’s on-court leader. In tonight’s tough matchup against Arizona, we should expect Pritchard to have the ball in his hands a ton on offense - whether he’s scoring it himself or dishing it to his teammates. Over the past ten games, he’s averaging 18.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals as he provides a very solid DFS floor to start your lineups with.
Cassius Winston - Michigan State ($8,200 DK / $7,300 FD)
Although Pritchard is priced slightly higher than Winston on FD, these two senior point guards are the same price on DK - and rightfully so, as Winston possesses a very similar DFS floor and ceiling whenever he’s on the court. Michigan State’s lead ball-handler is coming off a massive performance against Michigan on Sunday when he had 50 DK points with 32 points scored and nine assists. Winston comfortably leads the Spartans in usage rate (29%), shots share (30%) and assist rate (40%) this season - all marks that are some of the best in the country. He’s scored 20 or more points in six of the last eight games and has put up at least 37 DK points in three straight. Winston will also benefit from playing at home tonight, where he’s averaging eight more DK points per game with a notably higher shooting percentage than on the road.
Josh Green - Arizona ($6,200 DK / $6,200 FD)
Arizona is mostly led by their three stud freshmen and while Nico Mannion and Zeke Nnaji receive all the national attention, Green is the glue that holds this team together and he’s been able to have solid DFS performances with how much he plays. While Green is third on the team in usage rate and shots share, he plays the highest minutes share for Arizona (77%) and that consistent playing time allows him to rack up DFS value with ancillary stats in all categories. Green is coming off a stat-stuffing performance against Arizona State when he had 33 DK points thanks to his 12 points scored, seven rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals. This type of stat line is par for the course for him over the last month as he’s averaging 28 DK points in the past ten games. He’s a safer cash play than Mannion on this slate as well because he won’t be guarded by Oregon’s Payton Pritchard - something that Mannion could have trouble with in that one-on-one matchup.
Alex Lomax - Memphis ($5,400 DK / $5,900 FD)
Although Lomax has yet to start a game this year, he could move into the starting rotation tonight with Damion Baugh possibly sitting out. Baugh is dealing with the flu, has yet to practice this week and is in serious doubt to miss this game considering his roommate, D.J. Jeffries, just went through the same sickness and was forced to miss the last game after also not practicing beforehand. Baugh has been the Tigers’ starting point guard this season and if he indeed is out, Lomax will likely step into that starting role as he’s been the backup point this year and actually leads the team in assist rate (34%). Despite coming off the bench all season, Lomax has still been playing 22-35 minutes on a daily basis and is one of Memphis’ key reserves averaging 26 DK points over the last ten games with per-game stats of 9.4 points, 5.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals. He was doing all that off the bench, so he should be a huge value tonight if he does end up starting in Baugh’s place.
Other Guards to Consider:
Ethan Thompson - Oregon State ($7,900 DK Only)
Nico Mannion - Arizona ($6,800 DK / $6,300 FD)
Jamarius Burton - Wichita State ($5,800 DK / $5,800 FD)
Lester Quinones - Memphis ($5,100 DK / $5,400 FD)
Tommy Kuhse - Saint Mary’s ($4,500 DK Only)
Top Forwards
Daniel Oturu - Minnesota ($9,200 DK / $8,700 FD)
In case you haven’t been paying attention, Daniel Oturu is putting up staggering numbers this season and he deserves to be the price king on both sites tonight. The sophomore center has put up at least 51 DK points in three straight games as he’s averaging 23 points, 18 rebounds and 2.3 blocks over that span. Over the last ten games, Oturu is averaging 42 DK points as he’s been nearly matchup-proof against opposing frontcourts. He’ll get his toughest test to date against Michigan State tonight as the Spartans have the size and depth to slow him down more than other teams than have. Still, though, Oturu should have no problem providing a double-double in a pace-up matchup and his DFS floor is safe considering he’s one of the top offensive options for Minnesota on a regular basis. It’s hard to fit in Oturu on DK with this price tag, but he’s much more affordable on FD with how much value is available tonight.
Isaiah Stewart - Washington ($8,700 DK / $7,800 FD)
If you’re looking to pivot away from Oturu and pay down a little on the expensive end of the forward position, Stewart becomes very much in play. The freshman big has been a beast in the paint lately with five double-doubles in the past six games while averaging 41.6 DK points over that span. Over the last ten outings, Stewart is averaging 21.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 39 DK points as he’s become the central figure in the Washington offense. He leads the team in usage rate (28%) and shots share (29%) this season and is by far the best rebounder. Against a Stanford frontcourt that lacks in size and does not rebound particularly well, Stewart should be in line for another big game tonight.
Brandon Johns Jr. - Michigan ($4,400 DK / $4,200 FD)
While Michigan tries to replace Isaiah Livers’ production in the lineup, we’ve seen Brandon Johns starting the last two games with Livers out - and that trend should continue tonight. Livers is still “day-to-day” with a groin injury, according to head coach Juwan Howard, and all signs are pointing towards Michigan being without their starting power forward for a third straight game. In Livers’ absence, Johns has entered the starting rotation and he’s put up 12 and 15 DK points in those two starts - and he had 28 DK points in the game that Livers left early. If Livers is out again, we should see Johns start again and he’ll be a big value on this slate if that does end up happening. Michigan will need Johns’ size and rebounding ability against a strong Purdue frontcourt - a similar situation like last game vs. Michigan State when he played a season-high 30 minutes.
Chandler Lawson - Oregon ($4,100 DK / $4,600 FD)
Oregon coach Dana Altman announced yesterday that CJ Walker likely won’t play tonight or Saturday as he’s yet to practice this week while dealing with a back injury. With Walker out, this opens up more playing time for Chandler Lawson at the power forward position - a spot that he’s played solid bench minutes at this season as one of Oregon’s best reserves. Walker also sat out the Ducks’ last game on Saturday and Lawson, a 6-foot-8 true freshman, saw 21 minutes and returned 20 DK points with his eight points scored and eight rebounds. Shakur Juiston moved back into the starting rotation in Walker’s absence, but Lawson was still very valuable off the bench and was a massive value at his $3,900 DK price tag in that game. He should see 20 or so minutes again tonight and we’ve seen him return enough value with that extended playing time already this season when he filled in for Juiston. He should be pretty popular for cash games - especially on DK.
Dan Fotu & Jock Perry - Saint Mary’s (DK ONLY)
There are three extra games on DK’s slate tonight and one of those matchups we want exposure to is this Saint Mary’s-BYU game. There are some high-priced players in this game from both teams, but Dan Fotu and Jock Perry are very attractive value options as they’ve both seen an uptick in playing time recently. With Matthias Tass out for the season, the Gaels have turned to Fotu ($3,600) to start the last three games and he’s put up 26.75, 8.25 and 11.25 DK points in those three starts. He’ll likely get the start again tonight, but he’s had a tough time staying out of foul trouble which limits his DFS upside. Meanwhile, Perry ($3,000) has played 15 and 14 minutes off the bench over the last two games and put up 13.5 and 9.75 DK points, respectively. Perry sat out the first 14 games of the season, but he’s now seeing his minutes and usage ramp up with Tass out. His 7-foot-1 frame is more of a like-for-like replacement for Tass’ 6-foot-10 size, and he’s instantly become one of the better rebounders on the team even in limited action. At min price on DK, Perry should be able to give you 3-4x value or better as he starts to get back into playing shape.
Other Forwards to Consider:
Precious Achiuwa - Memphis ($8,300 DK / $7,600 FD)
Filip Petrusev - Gonzaga ($7,900 DK Only)
Killian Tillie - Gonzaga ($6,300 DK Only)
Shakur Juiston - Oregon ($5,600 DK / $5,100 FD)
Marcus Bingham - Michigan State ($4,500 DK / $4,800 FD)
Austin Davis - Michigan ($3,800 DK / $3,700 FD)
DraftKings Example Lineup:
G: Cassius Winston - MSU ($8,200)
G: Payton Pritchard - ORE ($8,200)
G: Alex Lomax - MEM ($5,400)
F: Isaiah Stewart - UW ($8,700)
F: Filip Petrusev - GONZ ($7,900)
F: Brandon Johns - MICH ($4,400)
U: Chandler Lawson - ORE ($4,100)
U: Jock Perry - STMRY ($3,000)
FanDuel Example Lineup:
G: Payton Pritchard - ORE ($7,900)
G: Cassius Winston - MSU ($7,300)
G: Alex Lomax - MEM ($5,900)
G: Josh Green - ARIZ ($6,200)
F: Daniel Oturu - MINN ($8,700)
F: Brandon Johns - MICH ($4,200)
F: Shakur Juiston - ORE ($5,100)
U: Chandler Lawson - ORE ($4,600)