THE SLATE

(w/ Implied Team Totals & Odds via KenPom)

  • 6 pm ET -- Miami FL (64) at Virginia Tech (70) -- 134 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Purdue (68) at Rutgers (72) -- 140 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Florida State (65) at Clemson (68) -- 133 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Texas A&M (68) at LSU (75) -- 143 total **DK ONLY**

  • 9 pm ET -- Northwestern (74) at Iowa (83) -- 157 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Mississippi (71) at Alabama (72) -- 143 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Houston (67) at Tulsa (60) -- 127 total **DK ONLY**

**The PITT-DUKE game on FanDuel has been postponed**

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Ron Harper Jr.RUPUR880039.5830036.50
The expensive end of guard is tricky on this slate without any clear-cut studs to lock in for cash games - and the majority are probably going cheaper overall to fit in Luka Garza. It leaves Harper Jr. as the de facto top guard tonight with his floor/ceiling combo as Rutgers’ go-to playmaker. He’s scored 20+ real points in four straight games with all those coming against Power 5 teams. The junior can easily put up 40+ DK points tonight - just as he’s done in four of seven games already - and he’ll likely have a bigger offensive responsibility than normal with Jacob Young possibly out.
Cameron ThomasLSUTA&M700030.71  
Unfortunately LSU is only on the DK slate, but we should definitely consider the Tigers’ main players on that site. Thomas leads the team in usage rate and shot volume when he’s on the court, which is also a team-leading 77% of the time. The true freshman was a top 25 nationally ranked high school recruit and he’s immediately stepped into a leading offensive role for LSU despite the returning talent. Tonight will be the Tigers’ first game against SEC competition - so it will be interesting to see how well Thomas does. He’s the best per-dollar option for LSU’s top players, although Javonte Smart ($7600) isn’t bad for GPP’s either.
Luis RodriguezMISSALA690029.62690027.90
On a slate with so many lower-scoring games, the Ole Miss-Alabama matchup is clearly one to target tonight outside of the Iowa one. On the Rebels’ side of things, Rodriguez is the top DFS option with production across all stat categories. The sophomore is arguably the team’s best rebounder - with two double-digit rebound games in six outings so far - while also shooting 38% from three-point range and being the second-best assist man behind Devontae Shuler. With that solid floor production, he should have no problem stuffing the stat sheet in a paced-up matchup vs. Bama.
Boo BuieNWIOWA680027.54680025.05
We all know who to play from Iowa’s side of things in the highest-scoring game of the slate, but the Northwestern options should not go overlooked. The Wildcats’ best option right now is Buie, who has the offensive talent to explode in a fast-paced matchup like this one. The sophomore has a solid assist floor while running the point, but he can easily get hot from deep and break the slate at a very affordable price tag. We saw him go off for 41 DK points in a similarly uptempo game vs. Michigan State - and he’ll be leaned on more tonight with Northwestern needing to keep pace on the scoreboard with Iowa. Buie is a safe cash play with a sub 7k salary on both sites.
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Geo BakerRUPUR530016.25450014.64
After missing three games with an ankle sprain, Baker is now back healthy and playing a big role for Rutgers - and he could even crack the starting lineup again tonight. The senior has logged about 30 minutes in each of the last three games while basically getting starter-level playing time with a high usage rate despite coming off the bench. Tonight, though, Baker might move back into the starting lineup - where he was in the opener before his ankle injury - with Jacob Young possibly out and at least limited with a hip injury. If Baker is Rutgers’ starting point guard at these salaries, it would be a big bargain and he’d be chalky in cash - especially on FD with the discount.
Jordan BohannonIOWANW500018.86480016.70
It seems like we’re saying this every time Iowa is on the slate - but the Hawkeyes’ secondary players are still too cheap for how high-scoring and fast-paced their games are. While Luka Garza and Joe Wieskamp are the clear studs, all of Jordan Bohannon, CJ Fredrick, Connor McCaffery and Jack Nunge are all viable in cash or GPP with their affordable salaries. Bohannon, though, has been able to provide a safer DFS floor than expected with his assists/rebounds lately despite being a three-point specialist. If he’s hitting from deep, Bohannon’s GPP value goes even higher.
Caleb MillsHOUTLSA420013  
A DK-only play here, but Mills stands out as a big value tonight and he might end up being a popular salary-saver in all formats. An ankle injury has forced Mills to miss four of seven games so far, but he’s seen a high usage rate in the three games he has played in. Despite coming off the bench, the sophomore’s 26% usage rate even led the team vs. UCF on Saturday as he played a season-high 25 minutes. He’s just way too cheap for his talent-level and increasing role in Houston’s offense.
Hunter CattoorVTMIA400015.71560012.80
With Cartier Diarra opting out recently, Cattoor has stepped into the backup point guard spot for Virginia Tech - which is actually more playing time and a bigger role than most reserve guards. In the three games with Diarra out, Cattoor has put up 20 DK points each time with a solid floor because of his assists and more consistent minutes. VT likes to play a deeper rotation than most teams and Cattoor is now basically splitting PG duties with starter Wabissa Bede. Plus, the sophomore Cattoor has upside tonight with his 46% three-point shooting vs. Miami’s defense that does not defend the perimeter well. The discount on DK is hard to ignore.

Other Guards to Consider:

  • Quentin Grimes - Houston ($8,500 DK Only)

  • John Petty Jr. - Alabama ($7,000 DK / $6,900 FD)

  • Devontae Shuler - Ole Miss ($6,700 DK / $6,100 FD)

  • M.J. Walker - Florida State ($6,000 DK / $6,200 FD)

  • Jahvon Quinerly - Alabama ($5,600 DK / $5,600 FD)

  • Brandon Newman - Purdue ($5,500 DK / $6,300 FD)

  • Paul Mulcahy - Rutgers ($4,800 DK / $5,400 FD)

  • Jalen Cone - Virginia Tech ($4,400 DK / $4,500 FD)

  • Elijah Olaniyi - Miami FL ($4,200 DK / $5,100 FD)

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Luka GarzaIOWANW1050049.94950047.06
No surprise here. Luka Garza is and usually will be the top DFS play on any slate that Iowa is on. Even at an increasing price tag, he should be a cash game priority with a high floor and ceiling in the highest-scoring and fastest-paced matchup tonight. It may seem crazy to dedicate this much salary to one player, but Garza has been worth it more often than not - like his 52 DK points last game with an insane stat line of 32 points and 17 boards. You can fade him in GPP’s, but even that has become risky at times this season.
Joe WieskampIOWANW780030780027.93
There aren’t many teams that have two high-priced studs you can lock into the same lineup, but Iowa has been that lately with both Luka Garza and Joe Wieskamp forming a two-headed DFS monster. Wieskamp started the season slow, but he’s heating up with 33 or more DK points in three straight games - getting it done as a scorer, rebounder and all-around stat-stuffer. He should have no problem putting up 30-40 DK points or more in another fast-paced game - and you could even stack Garza and Wieskamp in the same lineup to almost ensure 80+ DK points to anchor your cash. You could even pivot off Garza to Wieskamp in GPP to still get Iowa exposure.
Herbert JonesALAMISS740028.75680026.29
This Alabama-Ole Miss matchup is one to target tonight - outside of the Iowa game - and the Tide have a few options to consider in cash or GPP. One of the safer plays is Herbert Jones, who owns the highest usage rate on the team and usually boasts a safe DFS floor with his stat production across all categories. Bama has been using Jones in a point-forward role lately with Jahvon Quinerly struggling at times, and that increase in offensive responsibility makes him even more attractive for DFS purposes. He’s usually good for 25+ DK points and could put up 40 in this back-and-forth matchup.
Myles JohnsonRUPUR650026.29720024.93
Johnson had been striving in his backup center role with Rutgers, but he’ll be leaned on even more now with starter Cliff Omoruyi out with a knee injury. The 6-foot-11 junior is an elite rebounder and shot-blocker and his size in the paint will be needed in a matchup with Purdue big man Trevion Williams tonight. He put up 38 DK points against both Illinois and Maryland in the last couple weeks and he could easily do that in this matchup - if he stays out of foul trouble and, in turn, forces Williams into his own foul issues. Because of the foul risk, though, he’s a GPP play tonight - but a high-ceiling one at that.
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Ryan YoungNWIOWA500019.54550017.97
The studs in this Iowa-Northwestern matchup aren’t the only ways to get exposure to the highest-scoring game of the slate. A cheap option for the Wildcats is backup center Ryan Young, who has carved out a solid role on both ends. Despite only seeing 15-20 minutes per game, the 6-foot-10 sophomore has put up 20+ DK points in four of the last five outings as he owns a 30% usage rate and decent shot volume when he’s on the court. Northwestern will need his size even more to help combat Iowa's Luka Garza tonight - and Young is a great cash game option on both sites with an affordable price tag.
Mason GillisPURRU440013.28410012.21
Gillis has made a few appearances in this playbook recently and he’s still a big value at a very affordable price tag. The freshman has started the last five games at power forward while former starter Aaron Wheeler has seen his DFS value plummet with the lineup change. In his new starting role, Gillis can put up 15-20 DK points with a solid statistical floor with the uptick in minutes - which has been in the 25-30 minute range lately. He’s now playing an even bigger role with big man Trevion Williams getting into foul trouble as well.
Jack NungeIOWANW430019.89540018.89
How about another cheap way to get exposure to the highest-scoring game of the slate? Jack Nunge is coming off a season-worst performance last time out when he put up just 4 DK points in eight minutes vs. Minnesota. We should expect a bounceback here as Nunge was consistently putting up 15-20 DK points or more in almost every other game as a nice frontcourt complement to Luka Garza. At 6-foot-11 and 245 pounds, Nunge can be a rebounding machine if he’s getting more playing time - and that will probably happen against a taller Northwestern team tonight. He’s good on both sites, but is way too cheap on DK with the big price discount.

Other Forwards to Consider:

  • Trevion Williams - Purdue ($8,000 DK / $7,500 FD)

  • Darius Days - LSU ($7,100 DK Only)

  • Keve Aluma - Virginia Tech ($6,800 DK / $6,700 FD)

  • Anthony Walker - Miami FL ($6,600 DK / $6,900 FD)

  • Romello White - Ole Miss ($6,300 DK / $6,600 FD)

  • Pete Nance - Northwestern ($5,900 DK / $5,800 FD)

  • Justin Gorham - Houston ($5,500 DK Only)

  • Jordan Bruner - Alabama ($5,300 DK / $6,00 FD)

 

DK Cash FD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GRon Harper Jr.RUPUR39.5$8,800 GRon Harper Jr.RUTPURD36.5$8,300
Pivot     $8,800Pivot     
GBoo BuieNWIOWA27.54$6,800 GJahvon QuinerlyALAMISS18.73$5,600
Pivot     $6,800Pivot     
GHunter CattoorVTMIA15.71$4,000 GDevontae ShulerMISSALA24.68$6,100
PivotJordan BohannonIOWANW18.86$5,000$5,000PivotGeo BakerRUTPURD14.64$4,500
FLuka GarzaIOWANW49.94$10,500 GJalen ConeVTMIA12.83$4,500
Pivot     $10,500Pivot     
FMason GillisPURRU13.28$4,400 FJoe WieskampIOWANW27.93$7,800
Pivot     $4,400Pivot     
FPete NanceNWIOWA24.5$5,900 FJack NungeIOWANW18.88$5,400
PivotRyan YoungNWIOWA19.54$5,000$5,000Pivot     
UtilGeo BakerRUPUR16.25$5,300 FMyles JohnsonRUTPURD24.92$7,200
Pivot     $5,300Pivot     
UtilCaleb MillsHOUTLSA13$4,200 UtilElijah OlaniyiMIAVT8.94$5,100
Pivot     $4,200PivotKeve AlumaVTMIA25.41$6,700
    Total$49,900     Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$50,000    Pivot Total$50,000
             
DK GPP FD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GCameron ThomasLSUTA&M30.71$7,000 GBoo BuieNWIOWA25.05$6,800
PivotJavonte SmartLSUTA&M29.5$7,600$7,600Pivot     
GLuis RodriguezMISSALA29.62$6,900 GHerbert JonesALAMISS26.28$6,800
Pivot     $6,900PivotJordan BohannonIOWANW16.7$4,800
GJalen ConeVTMIA14.6$4,400 GLuis RodriguezMISSALA27.89$6,900
Pivot     $4,400Pivot     
FJoe WieskampIOWANW30$7,800 GGeo BakerRUTPURD14.64$4,500
Pivot     $7,800Pivot     
FJustin GorhamHOUTLSA20.36$5,500 FLuka GarzaIOWANW47.05$9,500
PivotJordan BrunerALAMISS20.88$5,300$5,300????Pivot     
FJack NungeIOWANW19.89$4,300 FMason GillisPURDRUT12.2$4,100
Pivot     $4,300Pivot     
UtilHerbert JonesALAMISS28.75$7,400 FRyan YoungNWIOWA17.96$5,500
PivotJohn Petty Jr.ALAMISS26.25$7,000$7,000Pivot     
UtilMyles JohnsonRUPUR26.29$6,500 UtilPete NanceNWIOWA22.78$5,800
Pivot     $6,500PivotJoe WieskampIOWANW27.93$7,800
    Total$49,800     Total$49,900
   Pivot Total$49,800    Pivot Total$49,900