THE SLATE

(w/ Implied Team & Game Totals via KenPom)

  • 7 pm ET -- Oklahoma (69) at Texas (74) -- 143 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Mississippi State (60) at Tennessee (69) -- 129 total **DK ONLY**

  • 7 pm ET -- SMU (70) at Memphis (72) -- 142 total **DK ONLY**

  • 7 pm ET -- North Carolina (72) at Pittsburgh (71) -- 143 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Kentucky (67) at Alabama (76) -- 143 total

  • 8:30 pm ET -- Butler (58) at Connecticut (66) -- 124 total

  • 8:30 pm ET -- Dayton (63) at Saint Louis (71) -- 134 total **DK ONLY**

  • 9 pm ET -- Missouri (74) at Auburn (73) -- 147 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Georgia Tech (68) at Duke (73) -- 141 total

  • 9 pm ET -- LSU (73) at Texas A&M (67) -- 140 total **DK ONLY**

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Sharife CooperAUBMIZZ900042.4880038.98
Cooper has instantly become one of the most exciting and talented point guards in the country ever since he gained immediate eligibility at the beginning of January - and he’s going to be one of the top DFS guards to target if Auburn is on the slate. The freshman stud has been handed the keys to the Tigers’ uptempo offense - and his heavy usage and shot volume while running the point gives him one of the best floor/ceiling combos in the nation. He just went off for 47 DK points on Saturday and has done that now in three of his five collegiate games. The matchup vs. Missouri’s top-tier defense is definitely a tougher one, so Cooper might be more a GPP play tonight.
Kendric DavisSMUMEM870040.25  
If you’re playing DK, the argument can be made that Kendric Davis should be locked into cash lineups - and I wouldn’t blame you. The point guard has now put up 40+ DK points in four straight games with his heavy usage and shot volume and he’s even agering 40.3 DK points over the last ten outings overall. The former TCU transfer has the ball in his hands on every possession for SMU and it seems he’s either scoring or assisting every time down the court. This matchup could end up in a higher-scoring one than we expect with both teams playing fast - although the Memphis defense is one of the best in the country. Still, Davis is in excellent form and he’ll probably end up with about 40 DK points yet again.
Jose AlvaradoGTDUKE820033.64830031.28
If you’re just tuning into college basketball, here’s something we’re not used to saying: Duke’s defense is not good. The Blue Devils are among the bottom half in the ACC in defensive efficiency during conference play and they’ve now lost three straight games. This puts Georgia Tech’s regular contributors firmly in play with Jose Alvarado, Moses Wright, Michael Devoe and Jordan Usher all options in cash or GPP. Alvarado, specifically, is coming off a 46 DK point performance vs. Virginia’s tough defense and he’s now scored 20+ real points in three of the last four ACC matchups. He’ll provide a good DFS floor with his assists, steals and high shot volume.
John Petty Jr.ALAUK760027.47650025.11
Whenever Alabama is on the slate, the Tide studs are always in play with John Petty and Herbert Jones specifically being the top targets. This game vs. UK is a rematch from earlier in the season when Petty went off for 23 points scored and 33 DK points while going 4-for-7 from three-point range. His perimeter scoring has been lights-out recently - going 21-for-36 from deep (58%) over the last four games. This Bama offense is playing as good as anyone in the country right now and Petty is one of its keys. Expect another big outing vs. an inconsistent Kentucky defense tonight.
Tyrese MartinCONNBUT720026.11740024.36
With James Bouknight still out for UConn, the Huskies’ offense will continue to revolve around Tyrese Martin and RJ Cole. Both are in play tonight, but Martin is the better value compared to Cole with the slight savings for similar production. Martin had a down outing on Saturday vs. Creighton, but he put up 33 or more DK points in the three games prior with Bouknight out - and one of those performances came against tonight’s opponent, Butler. We should expect a bounceback effort from Martin with his high usage and rebounding on offense and steal upside on the defensive end.
        
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Xavier PinsonMIZZAUB590023.21580020.70
Considering Auburn’s lightning-quick tempo this season, we should continue to target opposing teams against them - and tonight that’ll be Missouri. The Tigers can be tough to predict game-to-game as to which players to roster in DFS, but Pinson seems a bit too cheap for his upside. During SEC play, the junior leads the team in offensive usage rate, shot volume, assist rate and three-point shooting - keeping his floor fairly high each time out. He exploded for 27 points scored and 40 DK points on Saturday vs. Tennessee and remains a bargain after being priced in the 7k range not too long ago. The pace-boost should help Pinson outperform his salary on both sites - and likely make him popular in all formats.
Caleb LoveUNCPITT570020.05500017.77
It’s been a weird season for Caleb Love and this UNC squad overall this season. As for Love, the freshman is finally starting to play like the five-star recruit he once was - and his salaries are still too cheap on both sites for his true potential. A couple recent demotions to the bench seem to have ignited something in Love to play up to his preseason expectations. After being re-inserted into the starting lineup last week, Love has gone for 37 and 27 DK points in the last two games with higher usage and shot volume on the offensive end. His FD price should make him a cash staple on that site while he’s still a bargain on DK.
Brendan AdamsCONNBUT460013.72490012.48
Adams’ DFS value has benefited a ton since James Bouknight’s injury and he’ll remain a value as long as he stays below 5k. The junior has started the last four games with Bouknight out and he’s put up at least 17 DK points in each start. The increase in playing time has helped him become a solid cash play because of his ancillary stat production in expanded minutes - despite not having a big offensive role right now. We should bank on about 20 DK points again tonight, which would make him a welcome salary-saver in cash.
Elijah WeaverDAYSTL430014.92  
A DK-only play here as we get some A-10 action thrown into the mix. The Flyers will now be without Rodney Chatman for another month or two after he underwent finger surgery - and Elijah Weaver is the main value play to target with this news. The former USC transfer has started the last four games with Chatman out and he’s put up 24, 22, 17 and 15 DK points in those four starts, respectively. The increase in minutes has subsequently raised his DFS floor a ton because of his all-around stat production despite not being heavily involved on offense. This might be a mispricing on DK because Weaver is performing like a 5k player right now.
Jase FebresUTOU430023.75530022.50
Texas’ COVID situation is something to monitor heading into tonight’s slate - and it could open up some very cheap values. Greg Brown, Kai Jones and Brock Cunningham all tested positive recently and it’s unclear whether or not any will be available tonight. With the trio missing the Longhorns’ last game, Jase Febres stepped into 22 minutes off the bench and put up 24 DK points with his all-around stat production. That game was coincidentally Febres’ first of the season as he’s been dealing with a knee injury that kept him out. The senior was a regular starter last year for Texas and he should be a key role player for them moving forward now that he’s healthy. The potential COVID absences for a second straight will thrust Fabres into plenty of minutes once again - and he’d be a popular cash value if that’s the case.

Other Guards to Consider

  • Jordan Goodwin - Saint Louis ($9,300 DK Only)

  • Herbert Jones - Alabama ($8,000 DK / $6,500 FD)

  • Andrew Jones - Texas ($7,500 DK / $6,100 FD)

  • Xavier Johnson - Pittsburgh ($7,400 DK / $7,700 FD)

  • Dru Smith - Missouri ($6,900 DK / $6,800 FD)

  • Brandon Boston Jr. - Kentucky ($6,800 DK / $5,600 FD)

  • Michael Devoe - Georgia Tech ($6,700 DK / $6,000 FD)

  • Keon Johnson - Tennessee ($5,100 DK Only)

  • Kerwin Walton - North Carolina ($4,700 DK / $4,500 FD)

  • Ithiel Horton - Pittsburgh ($4,600 DK / $4,300 FD)

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Justin ChampagniePITTUNC950044.89900042.04
Another night with Pitt on the slate means another night where Justin Champagnie is one of the best DFS plays in all formats. The sophomore power forward owns one of the best floor/ceiling combos in the country with the nightly potential to put up 50+ DK points. He’s coming off a 40 DK performance over the weekend and put up 52 and 67 DK points in back-to-back games in the two previous outings. Champagnie’s pure point scoring and rebounding are certainly attractive, but his steals and blocked shots raise his DFS upside even more. In this uptempo matchup vs. UNC, we should expect Champagnie to rack up stats of all kinds - and Pitt will need him on the boards more than ever against the Heels’ talented frontcourt. Note that he's guard eligible on FD and forward on DK.
Trendon WatfordLSUTA&M890035.67  
With LSU on the DK slate, we should not ignore their studs tonight against a struggling Texas A&M squad. Trendon Watford is the Tigers’ main man down low as he should have his way with the undersized Aggies’ frontcourt that’s below-average in rebounding during SEC play. During conference action, Watford barely trails Cam Thomas in usage rate and shot volume - and he’s now scored 20+ real points in five of the last seven games with 35-40 DK points or more in most of those outings. The price tag is obviously high, but Watford has been worth it more times than not. Tonight’s matchup is one to target as opposing bigs are having their way against A&M.
Matthew HurtDUKEGT830035.65800032.79
It seems we say this every time Duke is on the slate - Matthew Hurt is one of the most consistent cash game forwards in the expensive end and should not go overlooked. Outside of a “down” effort of 26 DK points vs. Pitt last week, Hurt put up 35 or more DK points in every other ACC outing with 20+ points scored in three of the last four. Even with Jalen Johnson back in the lineup, Hurt continues to be Duke’s main source of offense with this versatile scoring and threat from the perimeter. His team-leading 52% from three during conference play should help him go off again tonight vs. a Georgia Tech defense that struggles to defend the deep ball. If you want a near-sure thing in cash, Hurt is your man.
Jeremiah TilmonMIZZAUB740025.9580024.22
Welcome to the high-risk, high-reward boom-or-bust play of the slate. Missouri’s 6-foot-10 center has the elite post-scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking upside to break the slate - but it’s always a matter of if that will happen. Tilmon has 37 or more DK points and a double-double in three of the last five SEC games - and then went for 25 or less in the other two outings. If he stays out of foul trouble and doesn’t get phased out of games vs. smaller lineups, the DFS ceiling is massive for Tilmon - who’s finally playing up to his potential in his senior season. This matchup vs. Auburn is a tough one to predict, though. The fast-paced Tigers with minimal size down low should allow Tilmon to feast in the paint on both ends. However, Auburn can go small and force Missouri to do the same - and Tilmon’s capped minutes obviously hurts his value. He’s a much better FD play with the notable price differential.
Armando BacotUNCPITT690024.75570023.27
Who’s ready to play the guessing game again when it comes to the UNC frontcourt? Garrison Brooks showed some life lately, but he’s disappointed in the last few games. Day’Ron Sharpe is always a double-double threat if he’s being featured on offense, but he’s also been wildly consistent for DFS purposes over the last month. That brings us to Armando Bacot, who’s been the most trustworthy of the three Heels big men in recent outings. He’s now put up 33 or more DK points in three of the last four games with an increase in shot volume on the offensive end. His hot play makes him better for cash among the three - and his FD salary is a bargain compared to DK. Still, limit exposure to GPP’s tonight.
 
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
D.J. JeffriesMEMSMU520024.29  
Over on the DK slate, this SMU-Memphis game could go under-the-radar but it might wind up being one of the higher-scoring matchups of the night. On the Memphis side of things, Jeffries has seen his salary take a massive dip because of inconsistent play and a recent demotion to the bench. The sophomore has come off the bench in the last two games, but he’s still seen at least 20 minutes in both and put up 20 and 16 DK points in the reserve role. It wasn’t too long ago, though, that Jeffries had 30-40 DK points each time out in a four-game span just over a month ago. Those days might be gone - but this is a player who was once priced in the 7k range and we’re getting him at just over 5k. The GPP upside is definitely there.
Kobe BrownMIZZAUB470015.42510014.18
The highest total on tonight’s slate is this Missouri-Auburn matchup - and finding some value on either side could be key. Kobe Brown is one of those options as Mizzou’s starting power forward who could easily provide enough floor points for cash games. The sophomore has put up 23, 19 and 22 DK points in the last three games, respectively, as his ancillary stat production keeps him just valuable enough despite not being heavily involved on offense. This uptempo matchup vs. Auburn could allow him to grab plenty of stats all-around - and his 6-foot-7 frame should keep his minutes safe if Auburn goes small.
Alex ReeseALAUK420011.33380010.38
Alabama is dealing with a couple key injuries in the frontcourt and it should thrust Reese into a minutes and role increase yet again. Tide starting center Jordan Bruner remains out and backup big James Rojas has yet to practice but is seen as “hopeful” to play tonight. Either way, Reese is the only healthy body to man the center position for Bama right now - and we should see him get a fourth straight start. Although he hasn’t done much with the expanded role, Reese did log a season-high 28 minutes on Saturday and put up a respectable 17 DK points. If we’re getting that production at his 4k price tags, he’s a solid cash value on this slate. Alabama will probably need his size more than usual, too, against Kentucky’s frontcourt. Reese has 18.5 DK points against UK earlier this season when Bruner got hurt in that game.
Kamaka HepaUTOU39007.6230006.57
We mentioned earlier about the Longhorns’ COVID situation - and Kamaka Hepa would be another who can benefit depending on the news before tip. With Greg Brown, Kai Jones and Brock Cunningham all testing positive recently and sitting out the last game, Hepa moved into the starting lineup for the first time this season. In 26 minutes, the 6-foot-9 big man put up 27 DK points with 15 points scored as one of Texas’ lone options in the paint alongside Jericho Sims. That would be the case again if Brown/Jones/Cunningham are all out for another tonight. Hepa is way too cheap on both sites not to lock into cash games if he starts.

Other Forwards to Consider

  • Moses Wright - Georgia Tech ($8,100 DK / $8,100 FD)

  • Jalen Johnson - Duke ($7,800 DK / $6,200 FD)

  • Keion Brooks Jr. - Kentucky ($6,200 DK / $6,100 FD)

  • Darius Days - LSU ($6,100 DK Only)

  • Jericho Sims - Texas ($5,600 DK / $4,600 FD)

  • Olivier Sarr - Kentucky ($5,500 DK / $5,400 FD)

  • Abdoul Karim Coulibaly - Pittsburgh ($3,900 DK / $4,500 FD)

Example Lineups

The Example Lineups are meant to show how you can build Cash and/or GPP lineups based on players mentioned in the Playbook. They are not meant to be plugged and played.

 

DK Cash FD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GSharife CooperAUBMIZZ42.4$9,000 GJustin ChampagniePITTUNC42.04$9,000
Pivot     $9,000Pivot     
GTyrese MartinCONNBUT26.11$7,200 GSharife CooperAUBMIZZ38.97$8,800
PivotXavier PinsonMIZZAUB23.21$5,900$5,900PivotJose AlvaradoGTDUKE31.28$8,300
GJase FebresUTOU23.75$4,300 GCaleb LoveUNCPITT17.76$5,000
PivotCaleb LoveUNCPITT20.05$5,700$5,700Pivot     
FMatthew HurtDUKEGT35.65$8,300 GBrendan AdamsCONNBUT12.48$4,900
Pivot     $8,300Pivot     
FKobe BrownMIZZAUB14.5$4,600 FMatthew HurtDUKEGT32.78$8,000
Pivot     $4,600Pivot     
FAlex ReeseALAUK15.8$4,800 FKobe BrownMIZZAUB14.18$5,100
Pivot     $4,800Pivot     
UtilElijah WeaverDAYSTL14.92$4,300 FKamaka HepaTEXOU6.57$3,000
Pivot     $4,300PivotAlex ReeseALAUK10.37$3,800
UtilJohn Petty Jr.ALAUK27.47$7,600 UtilAndrew JonesTEXOU22.88$6,100
PivotAndrew JonesUTOU25.27$7,500$7,500PivotXavier PinsonMIZZAUB20.7$5,800
    Total$50,100     Total$49,900
   Pivot Total$50,100    Pivot Total$49,900
             
DK GPP FD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GJose AlvaradoGTDUKE33.64$8,200 GTyrese MartinCONNBUT24.35$7,400
PivotKendric DavisSMUMEM40.25$8,700$8,700Pivot     
GBrandon Boston Jr.UKALA24.11$6,800 GJohn Petty Jr.ALAUK25.11$6,500
PivotKeon JohnsonTENNMSU18.02$5,100$5,100Pivot     
GBrendan AdamsCONNBUT13.72$4,600 GMichael DevoeGTDUKE23.45$6,000
Pivot     $4,600Pivot     
FTrendon WatfordLSUTA&M35.67$8,900 GBrandon Boston Jr.UKALA22.44$5,600
Pivot     $8,900PivotCaleb LoveUNCPITT17.76$5,000
FArmando BacotUNCPITT24.75$6,900 FJeremiah TilmonMIZZAUB24.21$5,800
PivotMoses WrightGTDUKE34.07$8,100$8,100Pivot     
FKamaka HepaUTOU7.62$3,900 FArmando BacotUNCPITT23.26$5,700
PivotAbdoul Karim CoulibalyPITTUNC14.11$3,900$3,900Pivot     
UtilD.J. JeffriesMEMSMU24.29$5,200 FJalen JohnsonDUKEGT26.12$6,200
Pivot     $5,200PivotMoses WrightGTDUKE32.7$8,100
UtilOlivier SarrUKALA21.79$5,500 UtilDru SmithMIZZAUB23.82$6,800
Pivot     $5,500PivotJase FebresTEXOU22.5$5,300
    Total$50,000     Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$50,000    Pivot Total$49,800