THE SLATE

(w/ Implied Team Totals & Odds via KenPom)

  • 6:30 pm ET -- Purdue (68) at Ohio State (72) -- 140 total **DK ONLY**

  • 7 pm ET -- Maryland (66) at Michigan (75) -- 141 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Tennessee (70) at Florida (67) -- 137 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Miami FL (68) at Syracuse (74) -- 142 total **FD ONLY**

  • 7 pm ET -- South Carolina (70) at Missouri (75) -- 145 total **DK ONLY**

  • 8:30 pm ET -- Penn State (72) at Illinois (80) -- 152 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Alabama (81) at LSU (82) -- 161 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Seton Hall (64) at Villanova (73) -- 137 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Duke (72) at Pittsburgh (69) -- 141 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Ole Miss (65) at Mississippi State (67) -- 132 total **DK ONLY**

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Ayo DosunmuILPSU880039.71820036.84
Any time Illinois is on the slate, Dosunmu has to be in strong consideration for all formats because of the nightly possibility that he’s the highest-scoring player. The Illini play at the second-fastest pace in the Big Ten and will benefit from facing another uptempo team in Penn State - a matchup that saw 179 total points earlier this season. Dosunmu is the engine that makes his offense go - leading the team in usage rate and shot volume all year and, specifically, during conference play. He put up 50 DK points with 30 points scored in the first meeting vs. PSU and has been back to his expected 35 DK point production over the last two games. He’s strong in all formats tonight.
Cameron ThomasLSUALA830030.08730027.77
The highest-scoring and fastest-paced game on the slate by a notable margin is the SEC showdown between LSU and Alabama. This one should be track meet with plenty of DFS stats to be had across the board - and Cam Thomas should be busy offensively for the Tigers. The freshman standout has not missed a game or looked hampered since hurting his ankle over a week ago. He’s scored 42 total points over the last two outings while playing 30+ minutes and seeing heavy usage and shot volume in both. Production in the ancillary stats could be better, but Thomas is LSU’s go-to scorer right now and he should be perfectly fine in this uptempo matchup.
Tre MannUFTENN800030.1720027.38
Tre Mann was already a stud, but his DFS floor and ceiling are raised a lot with Scottie Lewis out due to COVID protocols. In the last two games with Lewis sidelined, Mann has put up 36 and 30 DK points with a 30% offensive usage rate in both outings, plenty of ancillary stat production and a slight increase in shot volume. Florida frankly needs Mann to be the go-to offensive playmaker a lot more now with Lewis and Keyontae Johnson both out. It’s basically him and Colin Castleton as the main options tonight and both will be leaned on. This matchup vs. Tennessee is a tougher one, though, so Mann would be a GPP play on this slate with his salaries.
Izaiah BrockingtonPSUIL670025.94640024.55
After Penn State went on pause for two-plus weeks, it was encouraging to see Brockington put up 19 shot attempts and 30 DK points in his first game back as he continued to be the team’s best scoring weapon. The Nittany Lions are pretty balanced in terms of offensive production, but Brockington leads them in usage rate, shots share and three-point shooting during Big Ten play and he should have no problem returning value tonight. This is a high-scoring, uptempo matchup where PSU will have to keep pace with Illinois - and Brockington had 21 points scored and 27 DK points in the previous meeting. In the mid-range of the higher-priced guards, he presents good GPP upside and is even cash viable.
John Petty Jr.ALALSU650026.46650024.55
Going back to the highest-scoring game on the slate, Alabama has a couple directions you can go tonight and they’re all fairly underpriced compared to other top studs. Herbert Jones, Jaden Shackelford and Jahvon Quinerly are all in play as well - but John Petty has the biggest upside for the Tide. In this uptempo matchup, Petty’s versatile scoring ability, high usage/shot volume and pure playmaking from the backcourt are better suited for him to be Bama’s best DFS option. He’s been taking on a more consistent offensive role lately and those opportunities become magnified in this fast-paced situation. He’s a bargain in cash and has big GPP upside at possibly lower ownership than he should.
        
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Mike SmithMICHMD510020.58470018.60
We say it whenever Michigan is on the slate, Mike Smith continues to be a great cash game option as long as he’s in the 5k range. The Wolverines’ combo guard offers a solid floor with his assists and ancillary stats despite not having a big scoring role with the offense. Case in point: he put up 18 DK points on Saturday despite not scoring a single point because of his 10 assists. Smith benefited from Eli Brooks being out last game, but his DFS value is usually safe even with Brooks in there. Against Maryland earlier this year, he put up 32 DK points with a balanced stat line and he could easily have that upside again.
Jaden SpringerTENNUF470019.57490018.15
Slowly but surely, the Vols are making their five-star freshmen the focal points on offense with both Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson getting more usage, playing time and recent starts. Springer, specifically, has started the last two games and he leads the team in offensive usage rate, assist rate and three-point % during SEC play. The talent is clearly there for Springer and Johnson, but the playing time isn’t as consistent as we’d like with Tennessee being so deep. In his two starts, Springer put up 17 and 31 DK points and he probably shouldn't be below 5k right now.
Noah LockeUFTENN440015.68420014.32
With Scottie Lewis out again tonight, expect Locke to continue his increased offensive role for Florida. The junior has re-entered the starting rotation in Lewis’ absence with 38 minutes in both outings and performances of 21 and 17 DK points, respectively. The Tennessee defense presents some challenges, but Locke could easily get hot from three-point range and provide plenty of value as his cheap price tags. He probably shouldn’t be below 5k considering his current role and higher ceiling with Lewis out, and he’s an ideal GPP value tonight.
Earl TimberlakeMIASYR  490022.47
If you’re playing on FD tonight, we need to pay attention to the Miami injury news before tip. Chris Lykes (ankle) and Kameron McGusty (hamstring) have both been out lately and likely remain sidelined for this one. Timberlake, though, could return after he missed Saturday’s game but practiced yesterday. The freshman has taken on a much bigger offensive role with plenty of DFS ancillary stats in the absence of Lykes and McGusty during conference play. If he returns to the starting lineup, he’s way too cheap on FD in this pace-boost situation vs. Syracuse.
Ithiel HortonPITTDUKE430017.03430015.18
Maybe someone else can explain why Horton is this cheap on both sites. As a regular starter for Pitt, he owns the team’s highest minutes share (83%) and three-point rate (43%) during conference play and he’s producing like someone that’s in the 5k range. Horton is coming off an outing vs. Syracuse when he shot 5-for-10 from deep, scored 20 real points and put up 31.5 DK points at just $4600 on DK - and he’s now priced down. This matchup vs. Duke isn’t as tough as it’s been in recent years and Horton’s high-volume three-point shooting sets up well against the Blue Devils’ defense that’s struggled on the perimeter this year. Horton may be the best value for GPP’s on this slate and he may even be cash-worthy - although a lot of his production comes from the three-pointers.

Other Guards to Consider

  • Franz Wagner - Michigan ($8,500 DK / $7,200 FD)

  • Javonte Smart - LSU ($7,900 DK / $7,100 FD)

  • Herbert Jones - Alabama ($6,600 DK / $6,500 FD)

  • Myreon Jones - Penn State ($6,600 DK / $6,200 FD)

  • Buddy Boeheim - Syracuse ($6,200 FD Only)

  • Brandon Newman - Purdue ($5,100 DK Only)

  • Tyree Appleby - Florida ($5,000 DK / $4,700 FD)

  • Shavar Reynolds Jr. - Seton Hall ($4,800 DK / $5,100 FD)

  • Chaundee Brown Jr. - Michigan ($4,200 DK / $4,500 FD)

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Justin ChampagniePITTDUKE920042.36780039.64
Yesterday, the St. John’s Champagnie brother let you down if you paid up for him - so who’s ready to go back to the well with the Pitt sibling? Justin has also been a DFS stud this season with an extremely high ceiling. He’s coming off a 24-point, 16-rebound outing outing vs. Syracuse last time out when he gave you 51 DK points if you rostered him. Plus, he’s got two 20-rebound efforts in the last handful of games. Even at 6-foot-6, Champagnie actually provides a good rebounding floor to build off and he’s usually Pitt’s best offensive option as well. Playing him tonight comes down to which site you’re on. He’s a GPP option on DK with the vaulted price tag, but presents cash value on FD in the stud range with the salary differential.
Matthew HurtDUKEPITT890037840034.08
Although Duke continues to shuffle its starting lineups around and should even have Jalen Johnson fully healthy tonight - Matthew Hurt continues to be a DFS stud every time out. The sophomore pumps out 35-40 DK points almost every game and he’s scored 20+ real points and 42 DK points in back-to-back outings. He was doing it before Johnson’s absence and it’s not likely he stops now that the freshman is back into the mix. The consistent shot volume, offensive usage, rebounding production and heavy starter minutes allow Hurt to keep a solid fantasy floor and he’ll likely be leaned on once again if Duke wants to avoid the upset to Pitt.
Kofi CockburnILPSU820032.96800030.39
As is usually the case with Illinois on the slate, the two studs are firmly in play for all formats with Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn likely coming through in tonight’s high-scoring affair. As for Cockburn, he should have a big advantage against a Penn State defense that’s not been good inside and has allowed some big performances to opposing Big Ten centers - including Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis, Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson and even Cockburn in the previous meeting. In that one, he went for 23 points scored and 31 DK points as he and Dosunmu anchored the win.
Trendon WatfordLSUALA810034.98830032.45
This Alabama-LSU matchup is standing out as the one to target overall tonight with two fast-paced teams facing off and tons of stats, possessions and DFS scoring. All of the LSU studs - Cam Thomas, Javonte Smart, Darius Days and Trendon Watford - are firmly in play for all formats and Watford is at a great price point on both sites. The Tigers’ big man has scored 20+ real points in three straight games and in four of the last five during conference play - and he’s subsequently 35-40 DK points in each of those outings. Watford should have a big advantage down low tonight against an Alabama frontcourt that’s without Jordan Bruner and a Tide rotation that usually plays smaller than most teams. He’s great for cash games and will likely be a popular play tonight.
Hunter DickinsonMICHMD790030.46750028.74
Michigan’s freshman center is coming off a subpar game vs. Minnesota on Saturday, but that’s lowered his price tag to a good level where he’s very affordable tonight in a smash spot. Maryland has been getting dominated by opposing big men in the Big Ten and Dickinson did exactly that in the previous meeting when he had 26 points, 11 boards and 43 DK points. The Terps are very undersized in the frontcourt and may have no answer for Dickinson yet again. He’s good for cash games and may even go lower-owned than he should with plenty of other studs on the slate.
 
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Mwani WilkinsonLSUALA470013.88430013.48
Finding cheap ways to get exposure to the highest-scoring game on the slate cannot be overrated - and LSU’s Wilkinson is a nice way to do it if you’re looking to stack this matchup or just want an affordable one-off. The freshman wing has now comfortably settled into the starting lineup after coming off the bench to begin the year. He’s able to produce just enough ancillary stats to be a good DFS value as the complimentary piece alongside the Tigers’ studs. Since this game will be fast-paced with plenty of possessions on both ends, Wilkinson can easily get you 15-20 DK points or more like he’s done in almost every conference outing.
Alex ReeseALALSU460011.12380010.21
With Tide starting center Jordan Bruner out for the next month, Reese will continue to get extended playing time with a bigger role on both ends in his absence. The senior big man stepped into the starting lineup on Saturday in ‘Bama’s first game without Bruner - and we’ll probably see Reese amongst the starters moving forward. In the last game-and-a-half with Bruner out, Reese has put up 19 and 14 DK points with decent DFS production in multiple categories. He’s a bargain as long as he’s under 5k - and he’s even below 4k on FanDuel. In this high-scoring, fast-paced game, Reese is just too cheap for the potential to put up 20 DK points - and his team will need him more than usual to defend LSU’s Trendon Watford down low.
Matt CrossMIASYR  470015.75
Although Miami’s injury situation is murky heading into tonight’s game, we do know that Matt Cross has the potential to return value either way. The freshman is the Canes’ best three-point shooter during ACC play - shooting 53% from deep while going 16-for-30 over seven games. That perimeter scoring is exactly what we look at when teams face Syracuse’s zone defense that funnels opposing offenses to the holes from three-point range. Cross has gotten hot at times this season with 16 points scored and going 4-for-6 from deep against both Virginia Tech and Louisville (which was on Saturday). He’s worth a look in tournaments.
Justin AhrensOSUPUR430010  
Ohio State will still be without CJ Walker for at least tonight and Jimmy Sotos is possibly out again after he missed the last two games. In both of their absences, Justin Ahrens has started the last two games and his DFS value is a lot safer with the increase in playing time and offensive role. The junior wing has gone 7-for-10 from three-point range in these last two outings since entering the starting lineup - and he’s subsequently provided 15+ DK points in both. Ahrens is now shooting 50% from three during conference play - the best mark on the team - and that sets up nicely vs. a Purdue defense that allows a ton of points from the perimeter. He’s more a GPP play, though, because he doesn’t offer much ancillary stat production outside of his three-point scoring.
Wildens LevequeSCARMIZZ390014.17  
South Carolina is dealing with COVID issues right now and it’s opened up some value on the DK slate. Leveque has started the last three games in place of Alanzo Frink at center and it seems likely that trend will continue tonight with Frink probably missing again. On Saturday, Leveque posted season-highs in minutes (31), points scored (12) and rebounds (8) and his 25 DK points would be a massive value at a sub 4k salary. This matchup vs. Missouri could be overlooked on this slate but the total is higher than most with the Gamecocks playing very fast. He stands out as a cash or GPP value if he starts again with Frink out.

Other Forwards to Consider

  • Trevion Williams - Purdue ($8,600 DK Only)

  • Sandro Mamukelashvili - Seton Hall ($8,400 DK / $7,900 FD)

  • Darius Days - LSU ($7,700 DK / $7,300 FD)

  • Colin Castleton - Florida ($7,300 DK / $6,000 FD)

  • Justin Minaya - South Carolina ($6,400 DK Only)

  • Jermaine Samuels - Villanova ($5,300 DK / $5,400 FD)

  • Elijah Olaniyi - Miami FL ($4,700 FD Only)

  • Kobe Brown - Missouri ($4,100 DK Only)