THE SLATE

(w/ Implied Team & Game Totals via KenPom)

  • 6:30 pm ET -- NC State (59) at Virginia (69) -- 128 total **DK ONLY**

  • 7 pm ET -- South Carolina (70) at Mississippi State (75) -- 145 total

  • 7 pm ET -- Marquette (66) at North Carolina (75) -- 143 total

  • 8 pm ET -- Indiana (64) at Rutgers (67) -- 131 total

  • 8:30 pm ET -- Florida State (77) at Miami FL (65) -- 142 total **DK ONLY**

  • 9 pm ET -- Xavier (71) at Providence (70) -- 141 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Tennessee (73) at Vanderbilt (66) -- 139 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Alabama (77) at Arkansas (76) -- 153 total

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
AJ LawsonSCARMSU820029.83680027.27
One of the higher totals on tonight’s slate features South Carolina and its blazing-fast, eighth-ranked tempo in the country. Lawson is one of the Gamecocks’ headliners (alongside Keyshawn Bryant) with Jermaine Cousinard battling a foot injury - and he’s on a scoring tear lately. Lawson has scored 20+ real points in four straight and in seven of the last nine games. That high-volume offensive role - combined with just enough ancillary stats - usually allows him to put up 30+ DK points on a consistent basis. Although he had a down game vs. Miss St in the first meeting, expect a bounceback here with Lawson rolling. He’s a much better FD play with the discount.
David DukePROVXAV800034.59780031.44
By now you know about David Duke as Providence’s stud point guard. With his stat-stuffing role and heavy usage offensively, Duke is almost a lock for 30-40 DK points on a nightly basis - and that should be no different tonight. He had 30 points and 50 DK in the first meeting vs. Xavier and he’s poised to bounce back after having one of the worst games of the year vs. UConn last time out. We get a slight discount on him because of that off outing - so take advantage in all formats while we can. Expect him to go lower-owned than he should, though, because of the higher totals to build from.
Moses MoodyARKALA710028.86660026.81
The highest total on tonight’s slate is this Arkansas-Alabama matchup - and Moody is the best top tier player from the Razorbacks to target. The freshman is a projected NBA lottery pick with his versatile offensive skills and his DFS production has been very consistent. Moody has scored in double figures in five straight games and he’s only a month removed from scoring 25+ points and 40+ DK points in a pair of SEC matchups. One of those outings came against Alabama in the first meeting when he went off for 28 points and 42 DK despite Arkansas losing big. The fast pace of this game should result in Moody being heavily involved offensively and his ceiling is among the best on the entire slate.
John Petty Jr.ALAARK680026.26630023.75
Per usual, Alabama is involved in the slate’s highest total - so we should be targeting the Tide’s best players to anchor our lineups. Jaden Shackelford and Herbert Jones are worthy options, but Petty is actually a bargain tonight and is a nice buy-low opportunity. Petty just had one of his worst games of the year on Saturday when he scored just six points with 15 DK points. However, he has the potential to score 20+ points with 35+ DK in any given game when he’s hitting from deep. He did just that vs. Arkansas earlier this year when he went 5-for-9 from three-point range and scored 17 points. We should expect a bounceback from Petty - especially considering he’s averaging 31 DK on the road compared to 24 DK at home.
D.J. Stewart Jr.MSUSCAR660027.26610024.97
If South Carolina is on the slate, it’s always smart to target against their porous defense and super-fast tempo. Tonight, that opponent is Mississippi State and its best per-dollar play is Stewart. The sophomore wing went off for 29 points scored and 41 DK in the prior matchup vs. South Carolina - and he could easily replicate that performance here. Stewart is coming off 32 DK and a stuffed stat line on Saturday and he’s the type of player who benefits from pace-boost matchups like tonight’s. Including that big outing vs. the Gamecocks, Stewart also had 33 DK vs. Iowa State and 43 DK vs. Alabama in other uptempo games. He comes at some very attractive prices for all formats tonight.
        
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Colby JonesXAVPROV590020.9430019.31
What did Xavier put in Colby Jones’ coffee the last two games? The freshman recently returned from a one-game absence and he’s arguably been the Musketeers’ best player lately. He went off for 20 points scored and 33 DK vs. St. John’s last week and then had a double-double and 41 DK on Sunday vs. Butler. He started the five games prior to the absence and he was re-inserted back amongst the starters over the weekend - leading to that dominant performance. Maybe this is just a hot streak, but it’s worth taking a chance on in GPP’s. On FD with a very cheap price, though, he’ll be chalky in cash.
Victor Bailey Jr.TENNVAND560018450016.51
A key injury to monitor tonight is the status of Josiah Jordan-James, who’s been out the last two games and is “day-to-day” heading this one. With him out recently, Victor Bailey has moved into the starting lineup and taken on a much larger offensive role. He’s scored 29 and 18 points in these last two games - going 11-for-18 combined from three-point range - and providing 45 and 28 DK points, respectively. Bailey should be heavily involved once again if Jordan-James sits - and he’s a solid value on both sites, though he’s massively underpriced on FD.
Kerwin WaltonUNCMARQ540014.23420012.53
Is North Carolina on the slate? Then, you know it’s time to fire up Kerwin Walton as a value play once again. Both sites continue to price him cheap enough to consider in all formats - and he’s way underpriced on FD where he should be a near lock for cash. Walton’s three-point shooting is what we like as he’s UNC’s best perimeter threat right now with a 48% rate from three during conference play. That sets up very nicely in this matchup vs. a Marquette defense that’s the Big East’s worst against the deep ball. Walton just went off 19 points and 33 DK on Saturday - and he could easily replicate that tonight.
Anthony PoliteFSUMIA480020.52  
Polite was a regular starter for Florida State before a shoulder injury sidelined him for four games in January. He’s now back healthy, though, and we’ll likely see him back amongst the starters soon enough. In his three games back, Polite has put up 28, 15 and 15 DK points with plenty of ancillary stats to provide a safe floor. He was regularly going for 20+ DK before the injury and was priced well above tonight’s salaries. This may be the cheapest we get him for the rest of the year - so take advantage while we still can.
Keon EllisALAARK460013.93420012.87
If the DFS sites are going to continue pricing Ellis below 5k, we shouldn’t think twice about playing him cash. The junior is one of Alabama’s best bench players right now and he’s put up 20+ DK points in five straight games with plenty of ancillary stats. Sometimes he’ll see fewer minutes than we’d like, but his DFS production when he’s on the court is very safe as he stuffs the stat sheet. Ellis should be popular in cash in the highest total of the night.

Other Guards to Consider

  • Scotty Pippen Jr. - Vanderbilt ($8,800 DK / $8,000 FD)

  • Paul Scruggs - Xavier ($8,300 DK / $7,000 FD)

  • Jaden Springer - Tennessee ($7,500 DK / $6,000 FD)

  • Herbert Jones - Alabama ($6,900 DK / $6,500 FD)

  • Caleb Love - North Carolina ($5,700 DK / $4,700 FD)

  • Caleb McConnell - Rutgers ($5,300 DK / $4,600 FD)

  • A.J. Reeves - Providence ($4,800 DK / $4,600 FD)

  • Jahvon Quinerly - Alabama ($4,500 DK / $4,500 FD)

  • Deivon Smith - Mississippi State ($4,300 DK / $4,300 FD)

  • Seventh Woods - South Carolina ($3,900 DK / $4,100 FD)

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Trayce Jackson-DavisIURU920037.65850035.40
If Indiana is in action, you can bank on Jackson-Davis being a top overall DFS play. The stud big man is one of the best pure centers in the country and he’s dominating almost every game as Indiana’s go-to offensive option. He just dropped 34 points and 51 DK on Saturday vs. Michigan State and is averaging 20 PPG and 37 DK over the last ten outings. He “only” went for 28 DK in the first meeting vs. Rutgers, but we should expect a better performance this time around. The Knights aren’t a great rebounding team and if Myles Johnson gets into foul trouble, the door is open for Jackson-Davis to take over. If you can fit him in, he’s the best play on the slate.
Zach FreemantleXAVPROV900032.97740030.53
Ever since Xavier returned from a COVID break, Freemantle has been on fire. He put up 30 points and 55 DK in the first game back vs. UConn - and since dropped 39 and 35 DK in the last outings with a double-double in all three. The Musketeers’ offense mostly revolves around Paul Scruggs and Freemantle, and both are firmly in play on this slate. The big man Freemantle will have an advantage down low vs. Providence in a favorable matchup where he put up 31 DK in the first meeting. Expect another solid outing on both ends as a safe cash play. He’s a much better bargain on FD, though, as his DK price puts him more in GPP range.
Jay HuffUVNCST810029.29  
If you’re playing on DK, considering Jay Huff in GPP’s might be the difference between cashing big or going home empty. The Virginia big man has the nightly potential to go for 40+ DK points - just as he’s done in two of the last three games. Sandwiched in between those slate-breaking games, though, is a 11 DK outing where he was a non-factor vs. Florida State. Yet, tonight’s matchup is a favorable one and we should see the better version of Huff. NC State is bad at defensive rebounding and get shots blocked at a high rate - both of which play into Huff’s strengths. He had 30 DK in the first meeting vs. the Wolfpack and he could easily eclipse that tonight with how hot he’s running.
Keyshawn BryantSCARMSU720025.77620023.86
Bryant has been a high-usage player for South Carolina all season, but he’s even more involved lately with Jermaine Cousinard dealing with a foot injury. The junior wing has entered the starting lineup the last two games with Cousinard out and he’s put up 32 and 27 DK points with 15 points scored in both. There’s a chance his teammate returns tonight, but Bryant will continue to be heavily involved offensively as one of the Gamecocks’ lone bright spots right now. He could easily smash value for GPP’s and is the ideal tournament play with high upside.
Myles JohnsonRUIU660027.21640025.77
Johnson might be the biggest boom-or-bust play on the whole slate - but the ceiling will be well worth it if he gets there. The Rutgers center is coming off a terrible 15 DK outing on Sunday and has put up less than 20 DK in three of the last six games. In the other three, though, Johnson went for 43, 39 and 26 DK points as he asserted his dominance on both ends. That’s the risk with him in a nutshell - and it makes him a high-ceiling, low-floor GPP option tonight. Johnson went for 33 DK in the first meeting vs. Indiana and we could easily see that upside again.
 
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Yves PonsTENNVAND510020.65490019.64
Like Victory Bailey above, Pons is another Volunteer who’s benefiting a ton from teammate Josiah Jordan-James being out lately. In the last two games without Jordan-James, the senior Pons has put up 27 and 23 DK points with 10 points scored in both and plenty of defensive stats for a safe DFS floor. We should expect nothing different tonight if Jordan-James is out again. At basically 5k on both sites, Pons should be popular as we can pencil him in for 20-25 DK points once again.
Malik OsborneFSUMIA500014.95  
Osborne has started the last three games with Balsa Koprivica battling an ankle injury - and he has not disappointed. In these starts, the 6-foot-9 junior put up 23+ DK in two of three games with an increase in offensive and rebounding roles in Florida State’s frontcourt. Since FSU runs a deep rotation, it’s hard to trust Osborne in cash - but he has the upside to 5x his DK salary tonight. He went for 25 DK and a double-double in the first meeting vs. Miami and could easily replicate those numbers tonight with an advantage on the glass.
Jaylin WilliamsARKALA440011.71400010.84
Arkansas’ role players seem to be ever-changing - and Jaylin Williams is the latest to emerge as a solid value. The freshman big man has played at least 23 minutes off the bench in three straight games despite failing to log double-digit minutes in the four games prior. Right now, though, Williams is Arkansas’ top bench player while JD Notae and Desi Sills have fallen back. With the increase in playing time, Williams has put up 20, 11 and 16 DK over the last three outings - and that role is unlikely to change with the Razorbacks on a winning streak. His size will be needed in tonight’s matchup, in particular, and he’s a very attractive value in a high-scoring game.
Anthony WalkerMIAFSU410018.17470016.85
Sometimes value plays emerge by default - and that’s Walker right now. Miami is dealing with a ton of injuries and Walker is one of the only healthy bodies in the frontcourt. It’s basically just him and Nysier Brooks at the power forward and center spots - with just one true big as the backup. Walker has now scored in double figures in six of his last seven games and put up 20+ DK in four of those. He’s getting all the playing time he can handle right now - and that’s what we love for DFS. He had 19 DK in the first meeting vs. FSU and we should expect something similar in an uptempo environment where he’ll play a ton.
Derek FountainMSUSCAR410011.58300010.46
Fountain had been quiet for most of the season without any role in the Mississippi State rotation. That’s all changed recently, though, as the freshman has now started back-to-back games with a big increase in playing time in the month of February. On Saturday, Fountain played a season-high 31 minutes and he’s only a couple weeks removed from scoring 20 points with 37 DK vs. LSU. Plus, he was productive in the first matchup vs. South Carolina when he had 23 DK off the bench. Expect him to continue to start with the legit upside to 4x or 5x his salaries. He’s still way too cheap on both sites and will benefit from this pace-up matchup.

Other Forwards to Consider

  • Dylan Disu - Vanderbilt ($8,900 DK / $7,200 FD)

  • Justin Smith - Arkansas ($7,700 DK / $5,900 FD)

  • Day’Ron Sharpe - North Carolina ($7,300 DK / $6,100 FD)

  • Nysier Brooks - Miami FL ($5,700 DK Only)

  • Justin Minaya - South Carolina ($5,100 DK / $5,400 FD)

  • Jason Carter - Xavier ($4,300 DK / $4,900 FD)

  • Wildens Leveque - South Carolina ($4,200 DK / $4,400 FD)

  • Jerome Hunter - Indiana ($3,900 DK / $4,100 FD)

Example Lineups

The Example Lineups are meant to show roster construction based on players mentioned in the Playbook. They are not meant for plug-and-play.

 

DK Cash FD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GD.J. Stewart Jr.MSUSCAR27.26$6,600 GAJ LawsonSCARMSST27.26$6,800
PivotAJ LawsonSCARMSU29.83$8,200$8,200Pivot     
GMoses MoodyARKALA28.86$7,100 GMoses MoodyARKALA26.8$6,600
Pivot     $7,100PivotDavid DukePROVXAV31.44$7,800
GAnthony PoliteFSUMIA20.52$4,800 GKeon EllisALAARK12.87$4,200
PivotVictor Bailey Jr.TENNVAND18$5,600$5,600Pivot     
FTrayce Jackson-DavisIURU37.65$9,200 GKerwin WaltonUNCMARQ12.53$4,200
Pivot     $9,200Pivot     
FAnthony WalkerMIAFSU16.4$4,800 FTrayce Jackson-DavisINDRUT35.4$8,500
Pivot     $4,800Pivot     
FKeyshawn BryantSCARMSU25.8$7,200 FKeyshawn BryantSCARMSST23.85$6,200
PivotYves PonsTENNVAND20.65$5,100$5,100PivotYves PonsTENNVAND19.63$4,900
UtilKeon EllisALAARK13.93$4,600 FZach FreemantleXAVPROV30.53$7,400
Pivot     $4,600Pivot     
UtilKerwin WaltonUNCMARQ14.23$5,400 UtilD.J. Stewart Jr.MSSTSCAR24.97$6,100
Pivot     $5,400PivotJustin SmithARKALA23.87$5,900
    Total$49,700     Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$50,000    Pivot Total$49,700
             
DK GPP FD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GDavid DukePROVXAV34.59$8,000 GJohn Petty Jr.ALAARK23.75$6,300
PivotColby JonesXAVPROV20.9$5,900$5,900PivotJaden SpringerTENNVAND20.94$6,000
GJohn Petty Jr.ALAARK26.26$6,800 GPaul ScruggsXAVPROV29.67$7,000
Pivot     $6,800Pivot     
GDeivon SmithMSUSCAR15.41$4,300 GColby JonesXAVPROV19.31$4,300
Pivot     $4,300Pivot     
FMyles JohnsonRUIU27.21$6,600 GVictor Bailey Jr.TENNVAND16.51$4,500
Pivot     $6,600PivotDavid DukePROVXAV31.44$7,800
FJay HuffUVNCST29.29$8,100 FMyles JohnsonRUTIND25.76$6,400
Pivot     $8,100Pivot     
FMalik OsborneFSUMIA14.95$5,000 FDylan DisuVANDTENN30.7$7,200
PivotYves PonsTENNVAND20.65$5,100$5,100Pivot     
UtilDerek FountainMSUSCAR11.58$4,100 FDay'Ron SharpeUNCMARQ23.73$6,100
Pivot     $4,100PivotDerek FountainMSSTSCAR10.45$3,000
UtilHerbert JonesALAARK28.24$6,900 UtilScotty Pippen Jr.VANDTENN31.89$8,000
PivotZach FreemantleXAVPROV32.97$9,000$9,000Pivot     
    Total$49,800     Total$49,800
   Pivot Total$49,900    Pivot Total$49,700