THE SLATE:

(w/ Implied Team & Game Totals via KenPom)

  • 7 pm ET -- Rutgers (71) at Nebraska (64) -- 135 total **DK ONLY**

  • 7 pm ET -- North Carolina (76) at Syracuse (75) -- 151 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Arizona (71) at Oregon (73) -- 144 total

  • 9 pm ET -- Oklahoma (70) at Oklahoma State (72) -- 142 total

 

Top Guards

 

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Cade CunninghamOKSTOU920036.79850033.15
If you watched Saturday’s first round of this rivalry matchup, you saw Cunningham go off for 40 points scored, 11 boards and a whopping 65 DK as Oklahoma State pulled out the overtime win. Obviously we can’t expect a total repeat of that performance in the rematch tonight, but Cunningham is still the best overall DFS option on this small slate - and the expensive price tag is evidence. In cash games, we can lock in Cunningham as he’s in a tier of his own amongst the studs and will surely be popular after what he just did in this same matchup. You can fade in tournaments, but it’s clearly a risk if he goes for 50+ DK again.
Austin ReavesOUOKST870033.55800031.19
On the other side of Cunningham is Oklahoma’s own high-usage point guard - and we can bank on Reaves being almost as valuable as his counterpart. The senior has now scored 20+ points in four straight games and put up 46 DK in Saturday’s matchup vs. OKST. He’ll stuff the stat sheet for a strong DFS floor as OU’s offense mostly goes through him - whether he’s scoring himself, assisting or even rebounding better than most guards. It’s easy to overlook Reaves tonight when Cunningham isn’t that much more expensive - so expect him to be lower-owned in cash. Still, the upside is there for him to be the slate’s highest scorer.
James AkinjoAZORE840029.07710026.80
If you’re not going Cunningham or Reaves, then Akinjo is the next-best guard to lock in for cash or GPP - and he should be popular on FD with an underpriced number. The Wildcats’ point guard is on a hot streak right now in a high-usage role running the offense. Over the last three four games, he’s averaging 22 PPG with 31+ DK in every outing - including 26 points scored and 46 DK on Saturday. With Arizona’s season ending soon thanks to a self-imposed Tournament ban, Akinjo is playing his best basketball of the year and he’s a strong DFS option with heavy volume offensively. He’s way too cheap on FD to not play in cash.
Buddy BoeheimSYRUNC730026.21680024.02
While Boeheim is clearly behind the above names at the guard position tonight, he’s still a strong play on the short slate. He’s only a week removed from dropping 41 and 37 DK in back-to-back games as he caught fire from three-point range. He could easily do that again - and Cuse will need him to be active from deep if they want to pull out the win. Boeheim put up 33 DK on 18 points and 5-for-8 from three-point range in the first matchup vs. UNC. The upside is there for him to do something similar tonight if the volume is there.

 

Value Guards

 

Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Kerwin WaltonUNCSYR550014.65420010.65
Regular reads of this playbook know about the affinity we have for Walton. The Tar Heels’ freshman has the three-point shooting upside we love for DFS purposes - and a matchup like tonight’s can certainly make him valuable enough in all formats. Walton is by far UNC’s best perimeter threat right now and the Syracuse defense usually encourages three-point shooting. He’s seeing more three-point volume than usual in the UNC offense and it’s led to some better DFS outings. He went for 27 DK on Saturday, 32 DK in a game last week and has scored in double figure points in three of the last four. He’s worth a shot at affordable salaries - especially on FD where’s criminally underpriced.
Rondel WalkerOKSTOU540017.45500015.94
The key injury situation to monitor tonight is that of Isaac Likekele. The Oklahoma State guard sat out Saturday with a hand injury and there’s a decent chance he’s out again tonight. If that’s the case, expect Rondel Walker to be one of the best values in all formats as he’ll see a big increase in offensive usage and playing time for the Cowboys. Walker has started the last four games after coming off the bench previously - and Likekele’s been sidelined for three of those. In those three starts, Walker put up 27, 31 and 27 DK points and scored in double figures each time. If Likekele ends up playing, he’s also a big bargain in the 5k range and an easy pivot off Walker.
Thorir ThorbjarnarsonNEBRU360010.41  
The Nebraska-Rutgers game is only on the DK slate, but we shouldn’t ignore the value here. Thorbjarnarson entered the Cornhuskers’ starting lineup on Saturday for the first time since December and he instantly scored a season-high 10 points. We could easily see him back amongst the starters tonight - and he’s way too cheap to not consider at sub 4k. He’s now put up 27, 17 and 17 DK in three of the last four, respectively, and we’d take that all day for a value roster spot on this short slate. Count me in if he’s starting again.

 

Other Guards to Consider:

  • Chris Duarte - Oregon ($8,200 DK / $7,900 FD)

  • De’Vion Harmon - Oklahoma ($6,200 DK / $5,400 FD)

  • Jacob Young - Rutgers ($6,100 DK Only)

  • Caleb Love - North Carolina ($5,700 DK / $4,600 FD)

  • Avery Anderson III - Oklahoma State ($5,600 DK / $5,000 FD)

  • Bennedict Mathurin - Arizona ($5,300 DK / $5,200 FD)

  • Will Richardson - Oregon ($4,800 DK / $5,600 FD)

  • RJ Davis - North Carolina ($4,400 DK / $4,300 FD)

 

Top Forwards

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Azuolas TubelisAZORE780024.8640022.84
As is the case with James Akinjo above, Tubelis is also benefiting from an Arizona team trying to end its season on a high note without a Tournament berth coming. The freshman center has had some monster outings in the past week with 16 points, 15 rebounds and 40 DK in two of the last three games. One of those performances even came against USC in a tough individual matchup vs. Evan Mobley. Tonight, Tubelis will have a size advantage vs. Oregon’s smaller frontcourt - a matchup that allowed him to score 20 points with 31 DK in the prior meeting. He’s a better bargain on FD, but Tubelis is a great GPP option on a slate where he’ll be overlooked with all the stud guards.
Quincy GuerrierSYRUNC680031.71770030.06
Although Guerrier has been slightly underperforming lately, the DFS upside is always there for him to go for 30-40 DK and potentially break the slate. In fact, he had a 23-point double-double and 52 DK in the first meeting vs. UNC as he dominated on both ends of the court. It’s impossible to expect those same numbers here, but he’s still seeing heavy shot volume and has the stat-stuffing ceiling to win you a GPP. He’s a much better DK play than FD with the notable discount.
Myles JohnsonRUNEB690027.68  
If you’re playing on DK, one of the top plays is Myles Johnson - especially at a forward position lacking any true studs. In favorable matchups, Johnson’s floor and ceiling are a lot safer for DFS purposes as he’s able to dominate in the paint as a rebounder, post scorer and shot blocker. That’s the scenario tonight against a poor Nebraska frontcourt that’s bad at both rebounding and interior defense. When fully engaged on both ends, Johnson can easily put up 35+ DK like he’s done in two of the last four games.

 

Value Forwards

 

Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Walker KesslerUNCSYR580010.0242009.60
So who benefited from Kessler’s slate-breaking performance on Saturday? The freshman big man went off for 20 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and 40 DK in a tough matchup vs. Florida State and smashed value. He’s seen a big price increase on DK but is still very affordable on FD at sub 5k. Kessler unfortunately has a ton of competition for playing time in UNC frontcourt with Garrison Brooks, Armando Bacot and Day’Ron Sharpe all getting playing time. Over the weekend, though, Kessler was the hot hand and the Heels were happy to ride him to a big victory. Expect him to continue seeing high involvement in the offense until he cools off as Roy Williams should be sticking to whatever’s working as they fight for a tournament bid.
Marek DolezajSYRUNC540024.73610023.49
Game-log watchers may see Dolezaj’s two points and 3.75 DK from Saturday and instantly ignore him tonight. However, he should bounce back here as long as he stays out of foul trouble - which limited his playing time and effectiveness over the weekend. Syracuse will need his versatile offensive game and size in the paint to match up with the UNC frontcourt. Dolezaj is regularly good for 20-30 DK with a strong DFS floor of rebounds, points, steals and assists. The DK pricing is an overreaction and makes him a good value over there.
Brady ManekOUOKST430019.59520018.08
Anyone want to get risky tonight? On a small slate like this, we’ll have to take some shots on values - and Manek could easily pay off his cheap salaries. The Oklahoma big man has been very inconsistent this season compared to how dominant he was a year ago - but the talent and upside are enough to take a chance on. He had 16 DK on Saturday in this same matchup - which would be a big value on DK with the discount. At the start of February, Manek had 24, 35 and 29 DK over three games as he was much more involved offensively. His minutes and usage are down recently, but he was one of OU’s bright spots over the weekend and the offense may need him tonight more than usual. He’s worth a shot in tournaments.

 

Other Forwards to Consider:

  • Eugene Omoruyi - Oregon ($7,500 DK / $7,300 FD)

  • Alan Griffin - Syracuse ($7,400 DK / $7,500 FD)

  • Garrison Brooks - North Carolina ($6,500 DK / $6,200 FD)

  • Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe - Oklahoma State ($5,700 DK / $5,300 FD)

  • Kalif Richmond - Syracuse ($5,200 DK / $4,700 FD)

  • Armando Bacot - North Carolina ($5,000 DK / $5,600 FD)

Example Lineups:

 

DK Cash FD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GCade CunninghamOKSTOU36.79$9,200 GCade CunninghamOKSTOU33.15$8,500
????Pivot      ????Pivot     
GAustin ReavesOUOKST33.55$8,700 GAustin ReavesOUOKST31.19$8,000
????PivotJames AkinjoAZORE29.07$8,400 ????Pivot     
GRondel WalkerOKSTOU17.45$5,400 GJames AkinjoARIZORE26.79$7,100
????Pivot      ????PivotBuddy BoeheimSYRUNC24.02$6,800
FMarek DolezajSYRUNC24.73$5,400 GKerwin WaltonUNCSYR12.92$4,500
????Pivot      ????PivotCaleb LoveUNCSYR18.43$4,600
FMyles JohnsonRUNEB27.7$6,900 FAzuolas TubelisARIZORE22.84$6,400
????Pivot      ????Pivot     
FArmando BacotUNCSYR23.7$5,000 FMatthew-Alexander MoncrieffeOUOKST17.78$5,300
????PivotMatthew-Alexander MoncrieffeOKSTOU19.06$5,700 ????Pivot     
UtilThorir ThorbjarnarsonNEBRU10.41$3,600 FKadary RichmondSYRUNC18.62$4,700
????Pivot      ????Pivot     
UtilCaleb LoveUNCSYR20.68$5,700 UtilDe'Vion HarmonOUOKST20.53$5,400
????PivotKadary RichmondSYRUNC19.56$5,200 ????PivotWill RichardsonOREARIZ17.26$5,600
    Total$49,900     Total$49,900
   Pivot Total$49,800    Pivot Total$49,900
             
DK GPP FD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GBuddy BoeheimSYRUNC26.21$7,300 GChris DuarteOREARIZ29.94$7,900
????Pivot      ????Pivot     
GChris DuarteOREAZ32.58$8,200 GJames AkinjoARIZORE26.79$7,100
????Pivot      ????Pivot     
GKerwin WaltonUNCSYR14.65$5,500 GRondel WalkerOKSTOU15.94$5,000
????PivotJacob YoungRUNEB24.22$6,100 ????PivotBennedict MathurinARIZORE18.55$5,200
FAzuolas TubelisAZORE24.8$7,800 GRJ DavisUNCSYR13.23$4,300
????Pivot      ????Pivot     
FBrady ManekOUOKST19.59$4,300 FGarrison BrooksUNCSYR22.66$6,200
????Pivot      ????PivotQuincy GuerrierSYRUNC30.05$7,700
FBennedict MathurinAZORE20.21$5,300 FMarek DolezajSYRUNC23.49$6,100
????PivotWalker KesslerUNCSYR10.02$5,800 ????PivotWalker KesslerUNCSYR9.6$4,200
UtilWill RichardsonOREAZ19.03$4,800 FBrady ManekOUOKST18.08$5,200
????Pivot      ????Pivot     
UtilQuincy GuerrierSYRUNC31.71$6,800 UtilAustin ReavesOUOKST31.19$8,000
????PivotAvery Anderson IIIOKSTOU20.9$5,600 ????Pivot     
    Total$50,000     Total$49,800
   Pivot Total$49,900    Pivot Total$49,600