Highest Scoring Teams:
(by Implied Points & Spreads per KenPom)
Minnesota -- 76 Points (-2 vs. Iowa)
Wichita State -- 76 Points (-16 vs. Tulsa) **DK ONLY**
Oregon -- 74 Points (-11 vs. Utah)
Iowa -- 74 Points (+2 vs. Minnesota)
Michigan -- 73 Points (-7 vs. Indiana)
San Diego State -- 73 Points (-8 vs. Boise State)
NC State -- 73 Points (-5 vs. Boston College)
Villanova -- 70 Points (-4 vs. Temple)
Connecticut -- 70 Points (-4 vs. Memphis)
Arizona State -- 69 Points (-5 vs. California)
Top Guards
Payton Pritchard - Oregon ($8,700 DK Only)
If you’re playing the DraftKings late slate, there’s no question who is the best player overall across the three games and he needs to be locked into every lineup. Oregon’s senior point guard is arguably the best PG in the country and he does so much for the Ducks offense that’s he likely the most valuable player in college basketball too. Over the last ten games, Pritchard has consistently put up 35-45 DK points and he’s doing by scoring himself, assists, rebounds and steals. He’s coming off an impressive outing against Colorado on Thursday when he had 43 DK points with his 15 points scored, 11 boards, six assists and two steals. When Pritchard faced Utah earlier this year, he had 35 DK points with a solid stat line of 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal. We can expect more of the same today.
Malachi Flynn - San Diego State ($8,400 DK / $8,000 FD)
On FanDuel’s full-day slate and the early DK contests, Malachi Flynn is one of the best plays overall as the stud point guard running San Diego State’s offense. Flynn’s playmaking and contributions on both ends are a big reason why the Aztecs remain the lone undefeated team in the country - and there’s no worry that he won’t continue on today. Like Payton Prtichard, Flynn consistently puts up 35-40 DK points as San Diego State’s best scorer and passer with an upside in rebounding as well. Over the last ten games, the junior is averaging 36 DK points per game with 17.2 points scored, five rebounds, five assists and two steals per outing. That stat line is basically par for the course for Flynn this season and he did exactly that in his previous meeting with Boise State this year when he had 36 DK points with 19 points, six assists, three boards and two steals.
James Bouknight - Connecticut ($7,100 DK / $5,900 FD)
The UConn offense has shifted majorly over the last couple weeks to feature James Bouknight as its top scoring option - and it’s no surprise that his DK salary has since increased by over $2,000 since that change. The freshman leads the Huskies in usage rate (27%) and shots share (29%) during conference play and he’s taken 13 or more shots in five straight games. Over the last three outings, Bouknight has put up at least 21 real points and 33 DK points in each game as the uptick in shot volume has really helped him put together some impressive scoring efforts. When he faced Memphis earlier this month, Bouknight put up 29 DK points with 17 points scored. That production makes him a solid value on FD and worth the pay-up on DK.
Alex Hobbs - Boise State ($4,700 DK / $5,100 FD)
Boise State’s senior combo guard started the first nine games of this season but was relegated to the bench for the majority of the year. Hobbs is now back in the starting rotation, though, and is once again playing big minutes for the Broncos lately. On Feb. 4th, Hobbs exploded for a season-high 24 points scored on 15 shot attempts - his most this season - and has now started the last two games and logged 33 and 35 minutes, respectively. In the first of those starts, he put up 27 DK points with his solid stat line of 15 points scored, six rebounds and three assists. Although he only had 10 DK points in his most recent outing, it’s still encouraging to see Hobbs playing full starter-level minutes and we should expect some positive regression today. He’s a solid value on both sites for cash games.
Other Guards to Consider:
Remy Martin - Arizona State ($8,300 DK / $6,800 FD)
Markell Johnson - NC State ($8,100 DK / $7,000 FD)
Collin Gillespie - Villanova ($7,600 DK / $6,800 FD)
Alani Moore - Temple ($5,300 DK / $5,800 FD)
Devonte Green - Indiana ($4,900 DK / $5,200 FD)
Top Forwards
Luka Garza - Iowa ($9,300 DK / $9,000 FD)
Another DFS CBB slate and another day where Luka Garza deserves to be the highest priced player on the board. Even at these expensive price tags, though, the Iowa center is well worth it and should be rostered everywhere until he proves otherwise. Garza has shown that he’s basically matchup-proof in Big Ten play and has had no problem putting up big DFS performances whether he’s on the road or if Iowa loses by double-digits. The Hawkeyes lost by 12 on the road to Indiana on Thursday and Garza still finished with a whopping 56 DK points thanks to his 38 points scored, eight rebounds and four blocks. He’s now averaging 44 DK points over the last ten games and he previously faced Minnesota this year, he had 41 DK points with 21 points scored and 10 rebounds. The matchup against Minnesota’s Daniel Oturu is definitely a tougher one - but again, Garza has already shown he can dominate no matter who’s guarding him.
Precious Achiuwa - Memphis ($8,200 DK / $7,900 FD)
Sadly, Memphis’ season has taken a turn for the worse ever since James Wiseman left the program - but that hasn’t stopped Precious Achiuwa from playing his way into NBA Draft lottery conversations. The freshman big man is benefiting from Wiseman’s exit because he’s now the top scoring option for Memphis’ offense as a dominant force in the paint. Achiuwa is coming off a monster effort on the road at Cincinnati on Thursday when he had 46 DK points with 22 points scored and 17 rebounds - and he did that despite playing with a bad back. Over the last ten outings, he’s averaging a double-double with two blocks and 34 DK points. Plus, when he faced UConn earlier this month he easily put up 32 DK points with 16 points scored, eight boards and two blocks. That stat line is what we can expect from him today and he makes for a nice “salary-saver” on the high end of forward for both slates.
Isaiah Livers - Michigan ($5,800 DK / $5,600 FD)
Considering how Isaiah Livers has performed in his two games back, it looks like he’s fully healthy now and we can confidently roster him moving forward until we’re shown otherwise. Livers recently missed a slew of games with a groin injury, but he’s now scored 14 and 17 real points in his two starts since - and put up 27 and 28 DK points, respectively. It’s clear that Michigan’s offense missed his production as a scorer and on defense - and the Wolverines are now on a two-game winning streak with him in the lineup. Today’s home matchup against Indiana is crucial for Michigan’s tournament hopes and we can bank on Livers continuing his high shot volume - as he’s now had double-digit shot attempts in both of his two games back.
Ryan Kriener - Iowa ($4,500 DK / $4,200 FD)
Iowa could be without their three-point specialist CJ Fredrick today - and that will likely force Ryan Kriener into a bigger role with extended playing time. When Fredrick (sprained ankle) missed time earlier this season, it was Kriener who stepped into the starting rotation and he put up enough stats overall to return value then. We can expect that again today with an increase in minutes that will allow him to get 15-20 DK points. Fredrick was Iowa’s best three-point shooter and Kriener possesses enough range from deep to help the offense stay the same with Kriener now stretching the floor to help with spacing for Luka Garza down low.
Other Forwards to Consider:
Daniel Oturu - Minnesota ($9,400 DK / $8,900 FD)
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl - Villanova ($7,800 DK / $7,300 FD)
Branden Carlson - Utah ($5,200 DK Only)
Jericole Hellems - NC State ($4,800 DK / $4,200 FD)
Kimani Lawrence - Arizona State ($3,900 DK / $3,900 FD)
Lance Thomas - Memphis ($3,900 DK / $4,000 FD)
DraftKings Example Lineup (EARLY):
G: Malachi Flynn - SDSU ($8,400)
G: Alani Moore - TEMP ($5,300)
G: Alex Hobbs - BSU ($4,700)
F: Luka Garza - IOWA ($9,300)
F: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl - VU ($7,800)
F: Lance Thomas - MEM ($3,900)
U: Ryan Kriener - IOWA ($4,500)
U: Isaiah Livers - MICH ($5,800)
DraftKings Example Lineup (LATE):
G: Payton Pritchard - ORE ($8,700)
G: Remy Martin - ASU ($8,300)
G: Will Richardson - ORE ($5,700)
F: Branden Carlson - UTAH ($5,200)
F: Jericole Hellems - NCST ($4,800)
F: Kimani Lawrence - ASU ($3,900)
U: Markell Johnson - NCST ($8,100)
U: Andre Kelly - CAL ($5,300)
FanDuel Example Lineup:
G: Malachi Flynn - SDSU ($8,000)
G: James Bouknight - CONN ($5,900)
G: Alex Hobbs - BSU ($5,100)
G: Alani Moore - TEMP ($5,800)
F: Luka Garza - IOWA ($9,000)
F: Precious Achiuwa - MEM ($7,900)
F: Lance Thomas - MEM ($4,000)
U: Ryan Kriener - IOWA ($4,200)