THE SLATE

(w/ Implied Team & Game Totals via KenPom)

  • 7 pm ET -- Michigan State (70) at Rutgers (73) -- 143 total

  • 8 pm ET -- TCU (62) at Kansas (74) -- 136 total

  • 8 pm ET -- Memphis (70) at SMU (72) -- 142 total

  • 10 pm ET -- Stanford (70) at Arizona (74) -- 144 total

  • 11 pm ET -- California (69) at Arizona State (77) -- 146 total

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
James AkinjoAZSTAN820028.47  
Akinjo has been a leading playmaker for Arizona all season, but his real-life and DFS value has now increased following the season-ending injury to Jemarl Baker. In the three games without Baker, the Wildcats’ junior point guard has put up 36, 33 and 30 DK points with a higher floor/ceiling combination due to the increase in offensive usage and shot volume. Akinjo should continue to be the top offensive catalyst for Arizona and he could easily put up 30-40 DK points for a fourth straight. On this short slate, he’s one of the top expensive plays overall and is good for cash or GPP.
Ron Harper Jr.RUMSU800032.96  
A month ago, Ron Harper was regularly putting up 30-40 DK points and priced in the 9k range almost every night as Rutgers’ top offensive playmaker. A couple subpar efforts in real life and for DFS, though, decreased his salary below 7k just last week. Following his 37 DK points and a double-double on Sunday, Harper is now back at 8k - and hopefully we can trust him moving forward to be a high-priced anchor. He did struggle vs. MSU in the previous matchup with only 22 DK points - but the upside is there for him to be one of the slate’s highest-scoring players.
Remy MartinASUCAL780028.8  
It wasn’t that long ago when Remy Martin was taking a backseat to both Josh Christopher and Alonzo Verge in Arizona State’s offense. We knew that had to change eventually because of Martin’s proven track record of being a DFS stud all of last season. Over the last three games, it seems Martin is officially back and can be fully trusted in all formats. He’s put up 28, 32 and 32 DK points in his last three games since missing time due to COVID protocols - and he’s finally taking on a bigger usage and shot share role. Although this is a pace-down spot vs. Cal, Martin should be in playmaking mode once again. In this same matchup earlier in the season, he had 37 DK points with 22 points scored, four rebounds and five assists. That would be much-needed in cash games if you roster Martin.
Matt BradleyCALASU570025.55  
We’re putting Bradley in the “Top Guards” section because of his talent caliber despite his price tag being a massive bargain compared to his real value. Cal’s best player returned from an ankle injury on Saturday and he only put up 14 DK points in 25 minutes off the bench. Before long, though, we’ll see Bradley re-enter the starting lineup and return to his high-usage role running Cal’s offense. Before the injury, the junior wing was regularly putting up 30 DK points or more with his 33% usage rate and 35% shots share - both top 10 marks in all of college hoops. In this pace-boost spot vs. the quick Arizona State tempo, expect Bradley to return to his DFS stud level with a game under his belt to shake off the rust. He put up 35 DK points and 20 points scored in this matchup earlier in the season and we could easily see that again.
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
A.J. HoggardMSURU510011.1  
Before Michigan State’s recent COVID break, Hoggard had moved into the starting lineup in favor of Rocket Watts as the Spartans’ lead point guard. In his last three games (all starts), the freshman put up 19, 21 and 12 DK points with about 25 minutes in each outing and plenty of ancillary stat production in the expanded role. That 21 DK point performance even came against Rutgers (tonight’s opponent) in the first matchup. With MSU back from the break, we should see Hoggard back amongst the starters - especially considering Joshua Langford is just coming off his quarantine and may not play much if at all tonight. He’s a safe cash bargain in this 5k range.
Michael O'ConnellSTANAZ480011.32  
In case you haven’t been paying attention, Stanford is dealing with a ton of absences right now with Ziaire Williams, Daejon Davis and Bryce Wills missing time and all likely out tonight. O’Connell had moved into the starting lineup with Wills out - but his DFS and real-life value is even greater now with Williams/Davis sitting out. With all three out on Saturday, O’Connell put up 21 DK points with a balanced stat line and 41 minutes played in the OT win. At sub 5k, the freshman is a top cash value play if the Stanford lineup remains the same.
Dalen TerryAZSTAN460014.95  
A key injury situation to monitor tonight could affect which Arizona players we lock into lineups. Bennedict Mathurin sprained his ankle in Monday’s game and will likely be a game-time decision tonight. Although Mathurin’s injury isn’t believed to be serious, it seems doubtful he plays heavy minutes tonight if he’s active at all. In his possible absence, expect Dalen Terry to step into an increased role and playing time from the wing position. The freshman had started the first 12 games of the season over Mathurin before coming off the bench in the last three outings. After Mathurin went down last game, Terry logged 28 minutes (his most since early December) and put up 16 DK points with an uptick in usage rate. He’s a solid cash value at sub-5k if he starts and Mathurin sits.
Tyson JollySMUMEM460017.5  
After sitting out the first part of the season due to personal reasons, Jolly is now back for SMU and it seems like only a matter of time until he’s a focal point on the offensive end. The senior started every game last year for the Mustangs and was their top playmaker alongside Kendric Davis. He’s now played in two games since returning - coming off the bench in both - and we’ll see him priced well above 6k or 7k before long. On Tuesday vs. this same Memphis team, Jolly put up 23 DK points with a team-leading 15 points scored in 21 minutes. We could see him crack the starting lineup tonight - but he’s a fantastic buy-low value play in all formats while we still can.
Caleb McConnellRUMSU440014.04  
Rutgers made some changes to the rotation last game when both Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy entered the starting lineup on Sunday. The move sent Jacob Young and Montez Mathis to the bench for the first time all year - and it resulted in a Scarlet Knight win to break a five-game losing streak. Since the switch-up worked, we’ll probably see the same starting five again tonight - and that makes McConnell a huge value. In the start, the 6-foot-7 junior saw a season-high 26 minutes and put up 20 DK points with all-round DFS production. McConnell had been coming off the bench for his first five games since returning from an early-season injury - but he’s clearly a key role piece for Rutgers with his size and versatility. He’s a great cash play if he starts again and would be viable still if he comes off the bench.

Other Guards to Consider

  • Josh Christopher - Arizona State ($7,400 DK) 

  • Terrell Brown Jr. - Arizona ($6,400 DK)

  • Ochai Agbaji - Kansas ($6,100 DK)

  • Paul Mulcahy - Rutgers ($5,900 DK)

  • Mike Miles - TCU ($5,400 DK)

  • Alex Lomax - Memphis ($4,900 DK)

  • Rocket Watts - Michigan State ($4,500 DK)

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Oscar da SilvaSTANAZ870033.54  
Stanford is dealing with some key absences right now and it should result in Oscar da Silva getting a ton of usage as the go-to on offense. The Cardinal will likely be without all of Ziaire Williams, Daejon Davis and Bryce Wills tonight - leaving da Silva as the main guy by default. With all three out on Saturday, the Stanford big man put up 39 DK points with an impressive stat line of 26 points scored, five rebounds and four assists. He even put up 41 DK points in the game prior despite Williams being active. Even though this matchup vs. Arizona’s frontcourt is a tough one, da Silva’s DFS floor/ceiling value is high because of his increased usage and role on offense.
Aaron HenryMSURU850031.77  
When Michigan State played Rutgers earlier this month, it was Aaron Henry who dominated on both ends of the floor with his 43 DK points and stat-stuffing box score of 20 points scored, eight rebounds, four blocks and two steals. All season long, the Spartans have been waiting for someone to step up and become the alpha following the offseason departure of Cassius Winston - and Henry should be that guy from the wing position as an all-around playmaker. Even though Henry has 30-40 DK point upside or more, he’s also shown a floor of 20 DFS points - which makes him tough to trust in cash. Tonight, we should see the better version of Henry in an uptempo matchup where he’s already excelled - however the rust factor is certainly in play with MSU coming off the COVID layoff.
Moussa CisseMEMSMU700022.3  
With the unusual COVID schedule, Memphis will face SMU for the second straight game after the two teams matched up on Tuesday. In that game, Cisse went off for 34 DK points thanks to his double-double and four blocks. Despite having some dud efforts in the last month, the freshman has now put together three straight impressive outings with 34, 27 and 34 DK points over the last three, respectively. The talent is clearly there for Cisse to dominate certain matchups - and we saw that upside earlier in the year when he was putting up 25-30 DK points or more in multiple games. In this rematch, expect Cissee to have an advantage in the paint as both a rebounder, post scorer and shot-blocker - and the GPP ceiling has already been proven.
Azuolas TubelisAZSTAN690022.68  
During conference play, Tubelis is leading Arizona in usage rate and shot volume when he’s on the court as his 6-foot-11 frame is a handful down low for opposing defenses. The talented freshman is now more important than ever for the Wildcats with Jemarl Baker out for the season. Tubelis had been consistently putting up 25 or more DK points but he bounced back for 32 DK points and a double-double on Monday. That double-double upside is always there for him as Arizona’s best rebounder. The only risk, though, is he gets into foul trouble or small-ball lineups limit his playing time. He’s a GPP play on this slate.
David McCormackKUTCU640022.4  
Welcome to one of the biggest boom-or-bust plays on the whole slate. At times this season, David McCormack was the focal point for Kansas’ offense as they fed him the ball down low and let him go to work. That was evidenced by his 49 DK points vs. Oklahoma State, 35 DK points vs. West Virginia or 36 DK points vs. TCU (tonight’s matchup). In the last two games, though, the junior center failed to play more than 20 minutes in both and he had just 14 and 22 DK points in tougher matchups vs. Baylor and Oklahoma. Tonight, we should expect a bounce-back performance similar to the one he had previously vs. TCU when he had 20 points scored, eight boards and two blocks. TCU is not good on the glass or with interior defense - so theoretically McCormack should be in line for a big game. He could end up being pretty popular in cash.
 
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jalen WilsonKUTCU580025.98  
Lately, predicting which Kansas player to roster in DFS is as predictable as this year’s CBB COVID schedule. Last time out, it was Marcus Garrett who went off for 41 DK points. In other games, it was David McCormack or Ochai Agbaji who took over the alpha role on offense. And then there’s Jalen Wilson - who’s had multiple 30+ DK point performances during conference play but has now put up less than 20 DK points in three straight. He’s not seeing high usage or high shot volume right now - but that could easily change tonight. When he faced TCU earlier in the year, Wilson had 37 DK points with an impressive stat line of 16 points scored, eight rebounds and six assists. He could easily replicate that tonight in a favorable matchup - or he could continue to disappoint. It makes him an interesting GPP play at a big discounted price.
Christian KolokoAZSTAN450014.4  
Since Jemarl Baker went down for the year, Arizona shuffled its lineup and moved Koloko back into the starting lineup where he was at the beginning of the season. That new starter role has raised the DFS floor and pure value for Koloko as a rim-protector and rebounder. He’s put up DK totals of 27, 17 and 13 points in the three starts. Obviously we’d like the higher end of that production, but getting him at sub-5k is a bargain nonetheless. Although he’s limited on offense, Koloko’s blocked shots and rebounds keep his cash floor at a decent level - which should play well vs. a Stanford team that’s below-average on the defensive boards and getting shots blocked on offense during Pac-12 play.
Malik HallMSURU430016.35  
Malik Hall was already a solid role player for Michigan State, but he’ll be needed even more tonight with Gabe Brown testing positive for COVID and sitting out. Hall may still come off the bench, but he could wind up getting the most minutes of any Spartans reserve as Joshua Langford will likely be limited after just getting out of quarantine. At 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Hall’s size should be needed more than usual in this matchup where Rutgers can play bigger than other Big Ten teams. In the previous matchup, he only put up 11.5 DK points but he logged 27 minutes (his second-most of the season). Plus, he has the upside to get 20 or more DK points at an affordable salary range if he’s maximizing his extended minutes tonight.
Lukas KisunasSTANAZ41005.81  
As mentioned above, Stanford is currently playing without three key starters in Ziaire Williams, Daejon Davis and Bryce Wills. Their absences have subsequently opened up a lot more playing time for the Cardinal role players - and Kisunas is one of those notable values tonight. The junior big man entered the starting lineup for the first time this season on Saturday with Williams out - and he immediately stepped into 33 minutes and 24 DK points with all-around stat production. This is a huge increase in playing time and responsibility for Kisunas from his normal backup center role - and it makes him a huge value with a salary that has not changed much from the weekend. Expect him to be chalky if Stanford's lineup doesn't change tonight.

Example Lineups

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

 

DK Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GJames AkinjoAZSTAN28.47$8,200
PivotRon Harper Jr.RUMSU32.96$8,000
GRemy MartinASUCAL28.8$7,800
Pivot     
GMichael O'ConnellSTANAZ11.32$4,800
PivotA.J. HoggardMSURU11.1$5,100
FAaron HenryMSURU31.77$8,500
Pivot     
FLukas KisunasSTANAZ5.8$4,100
Pivot     
FMatt BradleyCALASU25.6$5,700
Pivot     
UtilTyson JollySMUMEM17.5$4,600
Pivot     
UtilOchai AgbajiKUTCU26.82$6,100
Pivot     
    Total$49,800
   Pivot Total$49,900
      
DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GRemy MartinASUCAL28.8$7,800
PivotJosh ChristopherASUCAL27.96$7,100
GDalen TerryAZSTAN14.95$4,600
PivotMatt BradleyCALASU25.55$5,700
GCaleb McConnellRUMSU14.04$4,400
Pivot     
FOscar da SilvaSTANAZ33.54$8,700
Pivot     
FAzuolas TubelisAZSTAN22.68$6,900
PivotJalen WilsonKUTCU25.98$5,800
FDavid McCormackKUTCU22.4$6,400
Pivot     
UtilLukas KisunasSTANAZ5.81$4,100
Pivot     
UtilMoussa CisseMEMSMU22.3$7,000
PivotMyles JohnsonRUMSU27.18$7,700
    Total$49,900
   Pivot Total$49,900