THE SLATE

(w/ Implied Team & Game Totals via KenPom)

  • 7 pm ET -- Ohio State (79) at Iowa (83) -- 162 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Arizona (73) at Utah (71) -- 144 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Minnesota (68) at Rutgers (72) -- 140 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Stanford (70) at California (63) -- 133 total

  • 11 pm ET -- Washington State (61) at Oregon (73) -- 134 total **DK ONLY**

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Chris DuarteOREWSU900034.7  
If you’re playing on DK tonight, the Oregon offense is one to target as the Ducks should win easily over Washington State. Plus, the Eric Williams absence due to COVID elevates their studs even more for DFS purposes. First of all, yes Chris Duarte hasn’t played in nearly a month because of his own COVID absence and a team-wide halt. However, he’s fully expected to play tonight and he’ll likely step right back into heavy usage and shot volume running the offense. Duarte scored 23 or more points with 44+ DK points in each of the last three games. Hopefully the long layoff doesn’t affect him too much as he’s a top play in all formats on the DK slate. Look for him to take on a bigger role with Williams out.
Marcus CarrMINNRU790035.44810033.06
Thankfully we get a slight discount on Carr because he’s coming off his worst game of the season. On Saturday vs. Purdue, the junior point guard shot a horrendous 15% from the floor, scored just six points and put up only 20 DK points. It was the first time he scored in single-digits all year and the DFS output was about 15-20 DK points less than what he normally does. We should expect a bounce-back tonight - and we’ll take this discount all day. Expect him to be popular as one of the only elite guards in action.
James AkinjoAZUTAH770029.03760026.78
Akinjo used to be a volatile DFS play, but he’s been a lot more consistent lately. The junior point guard is benefiting from the season-ending injury to Jemarl Baker in mid-January. In the last six outings with Baker out, Akinjo is averaging 18.3 points scored, 6.7 assists and 34.6 DK points per game with at least 28 DK points in each. His usage and shot volume are a lot more trustworthy now while running the Arizona offense as the team’s lead playmaker. His 41% three-point shooting during conference play also matches up well against a Utah defense that allows the highest percentage of points from the perimeter vs. Pac-12 competition. Expect him to anchor your cash lineups once again.
Matt BradleyCALSTAN710027.02680023.92
Fortunately for us, the DFS sites still haven’t fully adjusted Bradley’s salaries since returning from an ankle injury. Despite being sidelined for five games in January, Bradley is showing no signs of discomfort in his return - with 20+ points scored and 42 and 27 DK points, respectively, in the last two games. Cal’s best player has returned to his high-usage role in the offense and we should expect him to be busy tonight in a pace-boost situation vs. Stanford. Before the injury, Bradley was consistently priced in the 8k range - and he’ll probably return to that level after another big outing tonight. Buy low while you still can!
Michael O'ConnellSTANCAL650015.3560014.58
With Stanford likely without Ziaire Williams, Daejon Davis and Bryce Wills again tonight, expect Michael O’Connell to continue playing a huge role for the short-handed Cardinal. In the last four games without his aforementioned teammates, O’Connell has DFS performances of 21, 28, 27 and 35 DK points. The high usage while running the point has certainly raised his floor - and we saw him take on a bigger shot volume on Tuesday when he went off for 20 points scored and those 35 DK points. His salaries on both sites are slowly rising with each impressive outing, but he’s still cheap enough to be a strong cash play - especially if he’s giving you 25-30 DK points or more in the expanded role.
        
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
CJ WalkerOSUIOWA510018.86440014.56
Following a four-game absence in January, Walker is fully back and continues to be a great cash value as long as he sits in the 5k range or lower. Despite coming off the bench in his three games back, the senior is still playing 25 minutes or so with high usage as the offense mostly runs through him at the point when he’s out there. Walker was Ohio State’s starting point guard before his injury, but this super-sub role off the bench is helping the team play better and win games - and it’s been a bit better for his DFS value too with an uptick in usage. He should benefit from this uptempo, high-scoring environment where his ball-handling will be needed to keep pace with Iowa.
Caleb McConnellRUMINN450014.53430013.69
Ever since Rutgers made a change to its starting lineup, it’s reeled off three straight wins after losing the five games prior. One of those changes involved Caleb McConnell taking on a starting role for these last three games - and the switch-up is apparently working. So, expect McConnell to start again - and that expanded role should continue to keep him a DFS value. He’s put up 20, 17 and 15 DK points in those three starts with plenty of ancillary stat production and more consistent minutes. As long as McConnell stays under 5k and is starting, we should be considering him in all formats as a solid salary-saver.
Joe ToussaintIOWAOSU400011.63390010.84
The name above specifies Joe Toussaint, but let’s also use this space to say that all of Iowa’s guards fall in the GPP category right now with boom-or-bust potential whenever the Hawkeyes are in action. Toussaint is the backup point guard who sees high usage when he’s on the court, but his minutes are not consistent enough to trust in cash. He just had one of his best games of the season on Tuesday when he finished with 22 DK points on 10 points scored and six assists in a season-high 21 minutes. Maybe he’ll see an increase in playing time for a second straight, but we can really count on it. As for the other cheap Iowa guards to look at in tournaments, CJ Fredrick returned to his starting role and could get hot from three-point range - and Connor McCaffrey offers a safer floor of ancillary stats and could also catch fire from deep. All three are worth a look in the highest total of the slate.
Tre' WilliamsMINNRU42008.1233007.39
Williams hadn’t played more than 15 minutes in any game this season as he’s usually playing a backup role. That changed on Saturday, though, when the sophomore entered the starting lineup for the first time and played a season-high 24 minutes while regular starter Both Gach moved to the bench and saw just 13 minutes. In the extended playing time, Williams logged 17 DK points with his eight points scored and five rebounds. Maybe it was just a spot start, but Williams becomes a lot more valuable for DFS if he starts again tonight. Keep an eye out for Minnesota’s lineup ahead of this tip.

Other Guards to Consider

  • Ron Harper Jr. - Rutgers ($7,500 DK / $7,700 FD)

  • Terrell Brown Jr. - Arizona ($6,300 DK / $6,000 FD)

  • Duane Washington Jr. - Ohio State ($6,100 DK / $5,900 FD)

  • Paul Mulcahy - Rutgers ($5,300 DK / $5,100 FD)

  • Amauri Hardy - Oregon ($5,000 DK Only)

  • Connor McCaffery - Iowa ($4,500 DK / $4,600 FD)

  • Noah Taitz - Stanford ($3,900 DK / $3,500 FD)

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Luka GarzaIOWAOSU1000045.03930042.35
Surprise, surprise! Another CBB slate and another playbook with Luka Garza as a top target. At this point, it’s getting harder and harder to fade him despite his expensive salaries on both sites as the price king. If you faded him on Tuesday, that was a mistake as Garza dropped 51 DK points with his 27 points scored, 12 rebounds and two blocks. It was the second time in three games he went for 50 DFS points, and his realistic floor is 35-40 DK points. With one of the best floor/ceiling combinations in the game and likely high ownership in cash, it’s probably smart to eat the salary and figure the rest out on this short slate where he’s the clear top overall play.
Timmy AllenUTAHAZ830032.34780030.06
There aren’t many trustworthy options from Utah right now, but Timmy Allen is a bonafide DFS stud. With his high usage and heavy shot volume in a point-forward role for the Utes, Allen’s floor/ceiling combo is among the best in action tonight. He’s put up 39 or more DK points in four of the last five games with consistent production of points scored, rebounds and assists. We should expect him to be plenty busy tonight - keeping him safe for cash games. Plus, there’s more reason for optimism in this home game as he’s averaging 19.5 PPG and 34 DKPPG at home while going down to 13.2 PPG and 30 DKPPG on the road. Let’s hope that trend continues.
E.J. LiddellOSUIOWA810029.44790028.00
Simply put, Liddell is on a tear right now and he should have no problem continuing that hot streak tonight in a high-scoring matchup. The Buckeyes’ big man has at least 20 points scored, seven rebounds and 31 DK points in four of the last five games as the offense is starting to revolve around his elite post presence. Tonight’s individual matchup vs. Luka Garza may seem tough, but Garza isn’t the best defender and plenty of opposing bigs have had good games against him. Liddell is the top target from OSU tonight and he’ll likely be popular in cash.
Jaiden DelaireSTANCAL680022.2650020.58
As long as Stanford is playing without Ziaire Williams, Daejon Davis and Bryce Wills (who are all likely out again tonight) - expect Jaiden Delaire to continue being one of the team’s top offensive options. The junior is averaging 20.8 PPG over the last four games with his teammates out, with at least 19 points in every outing. Unfortunately Delaire provides little ancillary stat production, but the high shot volume and scoring role is a great sign. There’s no reason for that to change tonight and the consistent points put him firmly in play. He’s more of a GPP play, though, because the floor is lower than we’d like without much DFS production outside of the pure points scoring.
LJ FigueroaOREWSU640024.52  
Like Chris Duarte above, LJ Figueroa is also expected to play tonight following his own one-game absence and team-wide pause for COVID issues. Figueroa had taken on a starting role with more offensive responsibility during conference play following N’Faly Dante’s season-ending injury. He’s put up 25 or more DK points in five of the last six games with double-digit points scored in each of the past five outings. Expect that to continue with upside for even more with Eric Williams out tonight. Figueroa will likely take on more shot volume and ancillary stats in Williams’ absence. Eugene Omoruyi is also a strong play tonight, but Figueroa is a bit more attractive for DFS with the cheaper salaries.
 
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Dishon JacksonWSUORE540012.89  
Since entering the starting rotation in early January, Jackson is getting more comfortable in his expanded role and his DFS value keeps getting better. The 6-foot-10 freshman has scored in double figures in each of his last four starts - with DFS performances of 27, 17, 26 and 18 DK points in those outings. The starting role has given him more consistent playing time and more opportunities for ancillary stats and an uptick in offensive usage down low. On the DK slate, he’s a solid cash bargain in the 5k range if he gets another start. He will have a size and rebounding advantage vs. Oregon in the paint.
Christian KolokoAZUTAH460014.98470014.35
It seems every time Arizona is on the slate, we have Christian Koloko as one of our top value forwards to target. Well, both sites continue to price him below 5k - so why not take advantage until they adjust? Koloko is fully entrenched as the team’s starting center and his rebounding and shot-blocking rates are at elite levels in the Pac-12. The minutes aren’t as high as we’d like, but the 7-foot-1 sophomore is producing just enough in the time he’s out there with his rebounds, blocks and easy put-backs. He just had 24 DK points on Saturday and we could see similar production tonight as Koloko will have a paint advantage against a bad rebounding team in Utah.
Justin AhrensOSUIOWA420011.1942009.77
Even though CJ Walker is back, Justin Ahrens continues to start for Ohio State - and that consistent playing time and solidified role will keep him valuable for DFS moving forward. Ahrens doesn’t offer much ancillary stat production, but his three-point shooting is what we like here. Iowa’s defense is allowing the Big Ten’s highest percentage of points from the perimeter, and opposing three-point shooters continue to take advantage of that tendency. Ahrens is shooting a team-high 50% from deep during conference play and almost all of his shot attempts are from three-point range. He’s the top perimeter threat for OSU and he should get enough looks tonight to pay off the cheap salaries.
Lukas KisunasSTANCAL47001035009.16
If Stanford continues to be short-handed tonight, then Lukas Kisunas is still too cheap with his expanded role. The junior center has started the last four games with the Cardinal down three starters, and he’s played 27 or more minutes in three of those - with 24, 15 and 13 DK points in those three starts with increased playing time. He isn’t heavily involved on offense, but his DFS floor is fairly safe with his rebounding and decent ancillary stat production. If he starts again, Kisunas is a solid value play for cash tonight.

Other Forwards to Consider

  • Oscar da Silva - Stanford ($7,800 DK / $7,800 FD)

  • Liam Robbins - Minnesota ($7,400 DK / $7,500 FD)

  • Eugene Omoruyi - Oregon ($7,300 DK Only)

  • Myles Johnson - Rutgers ($7,200 DK / $7,400 FD)

  • Joe Wieskamp - Iowa ($6,900 DK / $7,200 FD)

  • Justice Sueing - Ohio State ($6,700 DK / $5,500 FD)

  • Azuolas Tubelis - Arizona ($6,500 DK / $6,200 FD)

  • Keegan Murray - Iowa ($5,000 DK / $5,200 FD)

  • Kyle Young - Ohio State ($4,800 DK / $4,600 FD)

Example Lineups

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

 

DK Cash FD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GJames AkinjoAZUTAH29.03$7,700 GJames AkinjoARIZUTAH26.78$7,600
PivotChris DuarteOREWSU34.7$9,000$9,000PivotMarcus CarrMINNRUT33.05$8,100
GCJ WalkerOSUIOWA18.86$5,100 GMatt BradleyCALSTAN23.91$6,800
Pivot     $5,100Pivot     
GCaleb McConnellRUMINN14.53$4,500 GMichael O'ConnellSTANCAL14.57$5,600
Pivot     $4,500Pivot     
FLuka GarzaIOWAOSU45.03$10,000 GCJ WalkerOSUIOWA17.47$4,500
Pivot     $10,000Pivot     
FLJ FigueroaOREWSU22.4$6,600 FLuka GarzaIOWAOSU42.35$9,300
PivotChristian KolokoAZUTAH14.98$4,600$4,600Pivot     
FJustin AhrensOSUIOWA12.2$4,800 FE.J. LiddellOSUIOWA28$7,900
PivotLukas KisunasSTANCAL6.87$4,000$4,000PivotTimmy AllenUTAHARIZ30.06$7,800
UtilMichael O'ConnellSTANCAL15.3$6,500 FLuka KisunasSTANCAL6.4$3,600
Pivot     $6,500Pivot     
UtilDishon JacksonWSUORE12.89$5,400 UtilChristian KolokoARIZUTAH14.35$4,700
PivotDuane Washington Jr.OSUIOWA24.07$6,100$6,100PivotCaleb McConnellRUTMINN13.68$4,300
    Total$50,600     Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$49,800    Pivot Total$50,000
             
DK GPP FD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GJoe WieskampIOWAOSU26.78$6,900 GMarcus CarrMINNRUT33.05$8,100
Pivot     $6,900Pivot     
GMatt BradleyCALSTAN27.02$7,100 GMatt BradleyCALSTAN23.91$6,800
Pivot     $7,100Pivot     
GJoe ToussaintIOWAOSU11.63$4,000 GJoe ToussaintIOWAOSU10.84$3,900
Pivot     $4,000PivotConnor McCafferyIOWAOSU14.81$4,600
FE.J. LiddellOSUIOWA29.44$8,100 GDuane Washington Jr.OSUIOWA21.45$5,900
PivotTimmy AllenUTAHAZ32.34$8,300$8,300PivotTerrell Brown Jr.ARIZUTAH19.41$6,000
FJaiden DelaireSTANCAL22.2$6,800 FMyles JohnsonRUTMINN26.12$7,400
PivotEugene OmoruyiOREWSU28.29$7,300$7,300PivotLiam RobbinsMINNRUT28.35$7,500
FTre' WilliamsMINNRU8.12$4,200 FJoe WieskampIOWAOSU24.7$7,200
Pivot     $4,200Pivot     
UtilMarcus CarrMINNRU35.44$7,900 FJaiden DelaireSTANCAL20.57$6,500
PivotMyles JohnsonRUMINN27.62$7,200$7,200Pivot     
UtilAmauri HardyOREWSU14.42$5,000 UtilJustin AhrensOSUIOWA9.76$4,200
Pivot     $5,000Pivot     
    Total$50,000     Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$50,000    Pivot Total$50,900