With the college football playoff getting under way on New Year’s Day the NCAA was wise to schedule a light day in college hoops. They make it up for us on Saturday with the biggest slate in the history of college basketball, with 111 games scheduled for D1 competition. DraftKings and FanDuel celebrate with a great main slate. The DraftKings main slate is eight games that gets underway at noon. FanDuel decided to go with a ten-game main slate, adding the Clemson at Miami game (2pm, ACCN) and Oklahoma St at #13 Texas Tech (4pm, ESPN+). Also, to note the FanDuel has #2 Baylor at Iowa St (1pm) on their slate while DraftKings went with Utah at USC (4pm, PAC-12 Network). So, we will try to add some guys featured on each site’s slates.

Both slates get underway at noon with three intriguing games amongst power conferences. It starts with #8 Texas visiting #3 Kansas (ESPN2), #11 Creighton goes to Providence to face the Friars (FOX) and an expected track meet in the SEC with #12 Missouri at Arkansas (CBS). At 2pm we have a great matchup in the Big10 as Luka Garza leads #10 Iowa taking on #14 Rutgers (ESPN2), a rivalry game in the ACC with #24 Virginia Tech playing at #23 Virginia (ACCN), an SEC battle as LSU plays at Florida (CBS), and the aforementioned Miami game on the FD slate. It all wraps up at 4pm with another Big12 battle with #9 West Virginia playing at Oklahoma (ESPN2) and the OK St vs TTECH (FanDuel only) and Utah at USC (DraftKings only). While large slates make it more difficult if you want to look towards games that will be high scoring the two SEC games should be shootouts, so look to add guys from those contests.

Games Ranked by O/U

  1. LSU at Florida- 2pm CBS- 152
  2. #2 Baylor at Iowa St- 1pm ESPN+- 148.5 (FD only)
  3. #12 Missouri at Arkansas- 12pm CBS- 146.5
  4. #11 Creighton at Providence- 12pm Fox- 146
  5. #9 WVU at Oklahoma- 4pm ESPN2- 143
  6. Utah at USC- 4pm Pac-12 Network- 139.5
  7. #8 Texas at #3 Kansas- 12pm ESPN2- 137
  8. Oklahoma St at #13 Texas Tech- 4pm ESPN+- 134
  9. Clemson at Miami- 2pm ACCN- 131
  • Note both Iowa at Rutgers and Virginia Tech at Virginia have yet to release O/U, I would expect the Iowa Rutgers game to be on the high side, while Virginia Tech at Virginia will probably be on the lower side- UPDATE: Va Tech at Virginia is postponed due to Coronavirus
Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Cade CunninghamOK STTTECH  820031.94
If we are talking top guards I'm not going to leave off the potential #1 pick in next year's NBA Draft. Cunningham is having a nice year in Stillwater for the Cowboys. The freshman phenom is averaging 19.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 3.8 apg. In a game on the road against a ranked opponent expect Cunningham to try to put the team on his back. Last week against Texas Cade went for 25 points in the 3-point loss. One thing that does concern me about Cunningham is his turnovers. He is averaging 3.6 turnovers per game and alarming 4.5 per game in four road games. Note only available in FD.
David DukePROVCRE950036.78800034.01
David Duke is becoming a superstar in college basketball this season. Duke is averaging 19.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 4.3 apg while shooting 49.4% from the floor, including 38.1% from three. In his last 6-games he is averaging 22.8 ppg for the Friars and in the game against Creighton he has a great matchup. Last season Duke exploded at Creighton with 36 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists and that was with their best defender Ty-Shon Alexander playing. He has since left for the NBA and the Jays really don't have anyone with the quickness, athleticism or length to slow Duke down. It is a crazy high price on DK but expect him to continue to dominate. If you want a serious paydown option look at PC's AJ Reeves ($5000 DK, $4700 FD). Reeves has struggled for much of the season but in his last two games he has totaled 34 points on 8/15 from 3.
Cameron ThomasLSUUF810032.5770029.86
Cam Thomas quietly could be the best freshman in college basketball. The 6-4 guard is averaging 24.1 ppg for the Tigers. He doesn't do much ele for LSU as he is only averaging 2.9 rpg and 1.7 apg but you really cant argue with the points he is putting up. Thomas isn't slowing down anytime soon either. In the SEC opener vs Texas A&M, Thomas went off for 32. The guy is a bucket and I would expect him to score no less than 20 in this one vs Florida.
Jared ButlerBUISU  780030.44
We finally have Baylor on a slate where the game didn't get postponed (yet) so I had to include the leader of the nation's #2 ranked team. Similar to FSU, Baylor has a lot of guys that do a bunch of different things and Jared Butler is a guy that can fill up the stat sheet. Butler is averaging 15.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 5.9 apg. ISU is a great matchup for may Baylor players as they gave up 105 points earlier this year to Iowa, expect Butler to have a nice game. Note this is game is only on FD slate.
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Marcus ZegarowskiCREPROV700029.17730026.08
Marcus Zegarowski is off to a bit of a slow start and is why you don't see in in the Top Guards portion. The Big East Preseason POY is averaging 13.8 ppg, 4 rpg and 5 apg. What has let him down the most is his 3-point shot, as he is shooting only 35.9% from deep after shooting 42%+ in his first two seasons. One thing to note though he is shooting it better in the opponent's gym, in 3 road games he is shooting 43.5% from deep. Against Providence if Jared Bynum will be guarding him it will be a good matchup as he owns a size and skill advantage. I'm sure Cooley will mix it up a little and have Duke cover Zegarowski occasionally but expect him to come to play in this one. Take advantage of his slow start and get him at a cheaper price then you may a few weeks from now.
Geo BakerRUIOWA620020.8580019.36
Geo Baker is another guy who is having a down season but his last game gives me optimism he is on the verge of bouncing back. Ron Harper Jr was not available in their last game against Purdue and it was Baker who really stepped up. Baker had 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in 37 minutes of action. Check Harper Jr's status for this one because if he cant go I'm sure Pikiell will lean on his senior guard in this one.
Jalen TateARKMIZZ550024.78620022.83
In my first ever playbook I included Jalen Tate as my Top Guards against North Texas and got burned. Tate finished that game with only 2 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. While its become clear he won't be a top guard, the Northern Kentucky transfer is finally starting to find his footing at Arkansas. Tate is averaging 10.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg ad 4.6 apg. He has also logged a steal in all except one game this season. In a game vs Missouri that is expected to be high scoring Tate could be a very nice option especially in a cash game. Note that he is listed as a forward in FanDuel.
Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Luka GarzaIOWARU1020047.8800035.79
Oddly enough Northwestern became one of only 2 teams this year to "slow down" Luka Garza this season. He still had 18 points and 6 rebounds. I get he is pricetag is ridiculous but so is the return on investment. He is averaging 47.8 FPG in DK, that is other worldly. Against Rutgers expect a "bounce back" game with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds. Garza is great for GPP games and his pricetag may score folks away so I'm still going to include him in my playbooks.
Evan MobleyUSCUTAH890036.25  
We have already featured two guys who are only on the FD slate, so it is time to write about someone who will be in a game that is only on the DK slate. Evan Mobley really struggled in his last gane against Colorado. Mobey had 12 points and 7 rebounds, which is surprising because Colorado doesn't have great size. We will chalk it up as a bad game and go with Mobley against Utah. What I like most about Mobley is his ability to protect the rim, in Mobley's last 4 games he has 14 blocks. If you want a paydown option look at his opponent's big man Branden Carlson ($4400 DK). The 7-foot sophmore should see a bump in his 20.8 mpg to try and contain Mobley.
Derek CulverWVOU830032.78780030.73
Derek Culver had a bit of a dip in production from his freshman to sophomore season, now a junior that sophomore slump is a thing of the past. Always love guys that are double-double machines and Culver is just that. He is averaging 14. 1 ppg and 9.9 rpg, pretty much a double-double per night. Culver is a great player to have in a GPP contest as his rebounding and scoring ability gives him a high floor.
Trendon WatfordLSUUF790034.21800032.65
It goes without saying that the CBB world hopes that Florida's Keyontae Johnson makes a full recovery and returns to the court after his scary collapse vs FSU. However his abscence in this game creates a massive matchup advantage for LSU's bigs. The former McDonald's All-American is averaging 16.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 4.5 apg in a sophmore season that probably will be his last in college. Watford does most of his damage in the paint and without Johnson clogging up the middle for the Gators, I dont't see many stopping Watford. Also take a look at his teammate Darius Days ($7600 DK, $7700 FD).
Nate WatsonPROVCRE720030.08700029.30
For similar reasons why I like Dsvid Duke Saturday is why I'm including Nate Watson as a top forward. Nate Watson has blossomed into the best low-post big man in the Big East. The senior is averaging 19 ppg and 6.9 rpg. Creighton's defensive personell in the paint are no match for slowing down Watson. In Watson's last 6-games he has scored no fewer than 18-points and expect Coach Cooley to get Watson plenty of paint touches in this one. He may be the best value amongst the higher priced big men.
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Damien JeffersonCREPROV620024.33600022.40
Damien Jefferson is Creighton's glue guy and does a nice job impacting several statistical categories. Jefferson is averaging 10.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 3.1 apg. Considering he does a bit of everything and has a nice pricetag think he brings a lot of value on both platforms. Jefferson oddly enough is listed as a guard in Fan Duel so keep that in mind.
Brady ManekOUWV600024.82620022.67
Austin Reeves is starting to get all the attention in Norman but lets not sleep on his runningmate Brady Manek. The senior big man is averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg. The rebounding is down from last uear and so is his minutes per game, which is a concern. However Manek is a really good player and at $6000 in DK could be a very nice play.
David McCormackKUUT550019.78490016.83
David McCormack had massive shoes to fill with Udoka Azubuike gradutating and going to the pros. McCormack really hasn't come close to the production as he is averaging 9.6 ppg and 6 rpg. Against Creighton he exploded in the first half with 10 points in a short period of time, where Creighton just could not stop him. The rest of the game however he disappeared and finished with only 13. I'm sure he has to be a frustrating playerr for Jayhawks fans but that didn't stop Bill Self from playing him 32 minutes in their last game vs WVU. At this cheap pricetag think he is worth taking a flyer on.
Connor VanoverARKMIZZ500026680024.74
Really don't understand Vanover's pricetag on DK. $5000 for a guy that is 7-3 sign me up. It probably has to do with the fact he has been struggling overall as of late but had a nice bounce back game in their SEC opener vs Auburn. He scored 17 pooints and grabbed 5 rebounds in 26 minutes of action. Going up against Missouri and Jeremiah Tilmon expect Coach Musselman to get his big man on the court. I also like Tilmon ($5200 DK, $5600 FD) as a value play, especially in DK but in FD also, as he is much cheaper than Vanover.

Example Lineups
(These are examples of what is possible with the Playbook and not intended for plug and play)

DK CashFD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalaryPos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GMarcus ZegarowskiCREPROV29.17$7,000GJared ButlerBUISU30.44$7,800
Pivot     PivotMaCio TeagueBUISU24.15$6,600
GGeo BakerRUIOWA20.8$6,200GJordan BohannonIOWARU18.68$5,600
Pivot     Pivot     
GA.J. ReevesPROVCRE17.25$5,000GJavonte SmartLSUUF24.42$6,700
PivotMatt Coleman IIIUTKU27.31$6,400Pivot     
FConnor VanoverARKMIZZ26$5,000GOchai AgbajiKUTEX26.17$7,300
Pivot     PivotDavid DukePROVCRE34.01$8,000
FTrendon WatfordLSUUF34,2$7,900FGreg BrownTEXKU23.31$6,300
PivotDarius DaysLSUUF31.21$7,600Pivot     
FNate WatsonPROVCRE30.08$7,200FDavid McCormackKUTEX16.83$4,900
PivotBrady ManekOUWV24.82$6,000Pivot     
UtilBrady ManekOUWV24.82$6,000FJeremiah TilmonMIZZARK18.60$5,600
PivotJordan BohannonIOWARU21$5,800Pivot     
UtilJalen TateARKMIZZ24.78$5,500UtilGeo BakerRUIOWA19.36$5,800
PivotXavier PinsonMIZZARK23.18$6,000PivotBrady ManekOUWVU22.67$6,200
    Total$49,800    Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$50,000   Pivot Total$49,900
            
DK GPPFD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalaryPos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GMitch BallockCREPROV22.19$5,300GMark VItalBUISU16.71$4,900
PivotDavid DukePROVCRE36.78$9,500Pivot     
GPaul MulcahyRUIOWA20.53$4,600GMac McClungTTUOKST25.12$6,600
Pivot     PivotXavier PinsonMIZZARK20.71$6,000
GCameron ThomasLSUUF32.5$8,100GDamien JeffersonCREPROV22.40$6,000
Pivot     PivotGeo BakerRUIOWA19.36$5,800
FLuka GarzaIOWARU47.8$10,200GAl-Amir DawesCLEMMIA18.51$5,500
PivotDamien JeffersonCREPROV24.33$6,200PivotA.J. ReevesPROVCRE15.84$4,700
FJeremiah TilmonMIZZARK20.04$5,200FDerek CulverWVUOU30.73$7,800
Pivot     Pivot     
FNate WatsonPROVCRE30.08$7,200FTrendon WatfordLSUUF32.55$8,000
PivotMoses MoodyARKMIZZ30.86$7,000Pivot     
UtilBranden CarlsonUTAHUSC17.21$4,400FKai JonesTEXKU17.17$5,100
Pivot     Pivot     
UtilConnor VanoverARKMIZZ26$5,000UtilJalen TateARKMIZZ22.83$6,200
Pivot     PivotCameron ThomasLSUUF29.86$7,700
    Total$50,000    Total$49,900
   Pivot Total$50,000   Pivot Total$50,000