After a wild first full day in the NCAA Tournament, daily fantasy returns for another great slate. DraftKings is once again doing a full 16-game slate while FD is doing a early (main) and main slate. At the time of writing the article, they yet to release the late slate. So we will look at the DK main slate and the FD main (early) slate. Here it is.
THE SLATE
Games by Time w/ O/Us
12 Georgetown vs 5 Colorado- 12:15pm CBS- 138
13 UNC-Greensboro vs 4 Florida St- 12:45 TruTV- 145.5
14 Eastern Washington vs 3 Kansas- 1:15 TBS- 146
9 St. Bonaventure vs 8 LSU- 1:45 TNT- 144.5
16 Texas Southern vs 1 Michigan- 3:00pm CBS- 142.5
12 UC Santa Barbara vs 5 Creighton- 3:30pm TruTV- 138.5
15 Iona vs 2 Alabama- 4:00pm TBS- 147
11 Drake vs 6 USC- 4:30pm TNT- 135.5
15 Grand Canyon vs 2 Iowa- 6:25pm TBS- 146
10 Maryland vs 7 UConn- 7:10pm CBS- 130
13 Ohio vs 4 Virginia- 7:15 TruTV- 131.5
9 Missouri vs 8 Oklahoma- 7:25pm TNT- 141
16 Norfolk St vs 1 Gonzaga- 9:20 TBS- 154.5
11 UCLA vs 6 BYU- 9:40 CBS – 139
14 Abilene Christian vs 3 Texas- 9:50 TruTV- 139.5
10 VCU vs 7 Oregon- 9:57 TNT- 137
Guards
Top Guards |
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
Isaiah Miller | UNCG | FSU | 9000 | 38.56 | 7900 | 36.30 |
It may be to surprising some to see a guard from UNC-Greensboro lead the playbook but Isaiah Miller is a stud. Why is he priced so high? Lets start with his usage rate. Miller has a posession percentage of 35.1% which ranks 4th nationally per KenPom. Miller averages 19.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 4.3 apg and 2.7 spg. While the matchup against a long, athletic Florida St team may scare people off, definitely consider Miller for a GPP contest. |
Austin Reaves | OU | MIZZ | 8800 | 33.64 | | |
Austin Reaves is another guy who stuffs the stat sheet, which has made him a fantasy stalworth all season. Reaves is averaging 17.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 4.7 apg. With De'Vion Harmon out for this one due to COVID Reaves will have to shoulder more of the scoring load for the Sooners. Consider Reaves for either a cash game or a GPP contest in DK. |
Jason Preston | OHIO | UV | 8500 | 38.96 | | |
Jason Preston was one of the storylines in the non-conference when an announcer brought up that he did not have one D1 offer. Hard to imagine given the numbers he has put up this season. Jason Preston averages 16.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 7.2 apg on 53% from the floor. In his last 15 games, Preston had 30+ fantasy points 13 times and exploded for 50+ points 4 times! In a trendy upset pick over UVA get Preston in any contest for DK. |
Cam Thomas | LSU | STBON | 7900 | 31.50 | 7300 | 29.29 |
St. Bonaventure can defend, ranking 18th in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom but they will have their hands full with LSU's Cam Thomas. The freshman is an absolute bucket, ranking 7th in the nation in KenPom's offensive rating. Look for LSU to push the tempo, which the Bonnies wont be used to from A-10 play and for Cam Thomas to have a good scoring night. A great play on both team's platforms. Teammate Javonte Smart is a nice paydown option at $7100 DK / $6700 FD. |
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Value Guards |
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
Will Richardson | ORE | VCU | 6400 | 22.30 | | |
While Chris Duarte gets all the praise in the Duck's backcourt, Richardson has really emerged of late. Richardson has gone for 20 fantasy points in each of his last 5 games and 30+ twice. With VCU's Bones Hyland taking the Duarte assignment there is great value in Will Richardson. |
Dante Harris | GU | COL | 5200 | 18.70 | 5000 | 17.03 |
The Big East Tournament MVP still isnt getting the respect he desrves in daily fantasy. Harris averaged 11.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.75 spg. McKinley Wright IV is definitely a good defender but I anticipate Harris will lead the Hoyas in their upset bid in the 5/12 game. Get him in your cash lineups. |
Berrick JeanLouis | IONA | BAMA | 4900 | 24.25 | 5200 | 22.47 |
Rick Pitino is back in the NCAA Tournament and brings Berrick JeanLouis with him. JeanLouis isnt great at one thing but is very good at multiple things. Berrick is averaging 8.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 bpg and 2.3 spg. In a game that will be high tempo, expect JeanLouis to stuff the stat sheet. Great value in GPP contests. |
Other Guards to Consider
Jalen Suggs- Gonzaga- $9300 DK
McKinley Wright IV- Colorado- $8600 DK / $8000 FD
Nah’Shon Hyland- VCU- $8100 DK
James Bouknight- UConn- $7700 DK
Jaime Jaquez Jr- UCLA- $7200 DK
Javonte Smart- LSU- $7100 DK / $6700 FD
Jordan Shackelford- Alabama- $6600 DK / $5300 FD
Joseph Yesufu- Drake- $6500 DK / $6500 FD
John Petty Jr- Alabama- $6100 DK / $6100 FD
Jalen Adaway- St. Bonaventure- $5800 DK / $5300 FD
Michael Weathers- Texas Southern- $5600 DK / $6800 FD
Umoja Gibson- Oklahoma- $4500 DK
Forwards
Top Forwards |
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
Luka Garza | IOWA | GRACA | 10000 | 42.59 | | |
If you listened to the fantasy alarm pod with Malin, Servo and myself, we spoke about how Luka Garza probably didnt miss a playbook he was involved in all year long. With the NCAAT underway why would we stop now? Garza is the only player in college basketball to average over 40 fantasy points per game. Garza should have no problem scoring at will against Grand Canyon. He may be worth the $10000 pricetag, especially in a GPP. |
Drew Timme | GONZ | NOR | 9100 | 33.01 | | |
If you don't want to spend a 5th of your budget on Garza, the Zag's Drew Timme is a nice alternative. The 6-10 sophmore averages 18.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 2 apg. Timme should also enjoy a size advantage in this one with no one that sees significant time is over 6-9. Gonzaga's offense is unstoppable and Norfolk St ranks 199th in defensive efficiency per KenPom. |
Trendon Watford | LSU | STBON | 8600 | 31.97 | 8200 | 30.88 |
The matchup between LSU's Trendon Watford and St. Bonventure's Osun Osunniyi will be one of the best in the first round of the Tournament. I like both players on this slate but will give the edge to Watford for his ability to be an inside-outside scorer. Watford makes his living in the paint but also has the skillset to pop out from 3. Watford also has been on a tear lately scoring 54 points in 2 of his last 3 games. Either Watford or Osunniyi is a good play but definitely prefer Watford. |
Hunter Dickinson | MICH | TXSO | 7300 | 27.80 | 7400 | 26.02 |
There are a few things in this matchup that make Hunter Dickinson a really good play. First Texas Southern has one of the nations best 3-point defense and Michigan has lost their best three-point shooter in Livers. Look for Michigan to get the ball inside for points in this one and DIckinson should be in line for a big night. He's a great play in cash games. |
Qudus Wahab | GU | COL | 7000 | 26.15 | 6100 | 24.31 |
Another Georgetown player makes the cut for the playbook, so I think you know by now I like the 12-5 upset. Qudus Wahab is a great play in this one because of his recent play and Colorado's personnel. In the Big East Tournament Wahab tallied 57 points and 34 rebounds in four games. The Buffalos' front court of Horne and Battey dont eclipse 6-8 and the Georgetown big is 6-11. He is a value among top priced forwards. |
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Value Forwards |
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
RaiQuan Gray | FSU | UNCG | 6700 | 25.20 | 6300 | 25.24 |
UNCG is a team led by their backcourt and FSU's RaiQuan Gray is a problem for their bigs. Gray is averaging 12 ppg, 6.5 rpg, and 2.2 apg and is second in the team in minutes played. He has great value against the Spartans, especially in GPP contests. |
Ben Vander Plas | OHIO | UV | 6200 | 30.10 | | |
Ben Vander Plas doesn't play bigs like Huff and Hauser in the MAC but 30.1 FPPG is 30.1 FPPG. That is excellent value at only $6200. Yesterday Admas and Obnar were excellent against OSU, expect Preston and Vander Plas to be great as well. Ohio has a good chance at upseting the Cavaliers. |
Isaiah Mobley | USC | DRAK | 5200 | 23.1 | 5100 | 21.53 |
Instead of spending a ton of your budget on Evan Mobley (althought he could be worth it), consider his brother Isaiah as a great value play. Drake's low post defender Brodie will be on Evan and they dont have another big with Hemphill returning from a broken foot. The other Mobley averages a respectable FPPG on both platforms, he has great value. |
Greg Brown | UT | ABICH | 4800 | 21.1 | | |
This may be a bit of a dart throw but Greg Brown just has too much physical ability for me to not consider him for my lineup. Greg Brown has shown flashes throughout the season and he is an x-factor for a Texas team looking to make a run. Brown is an intriguing play for cash games. |
Other Forwards to Consider
Herb Jones- Alabama- $8900 DK / $8100 FD
Osun Osunniyi- St. Bonaventure- $8100 DK / $7800 FD
David McCormack- Kansas- $8000 DK / $6500 FD
Jay Huff- Virginia- $7900 DK
Eugene Omoruyi- Oregon- $7800 DK
Joe Wieskamp- Iowa- $7300 DK
Darius Days- LSU- $6800 DK / $5900 FD
Donta Scott- Maryland- $6000 DK
Chudier Bile- Georgetown- $5700 DK / $5100 FD
Jeremiah Tilmon- Missouri- $5600 DK
Jeriah Horne- $5500 DK / $ FD
- Kolton Kohl- Abliene Christian- $4600 DK
Example Lineups
DK Cash | FD Cash |
Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary | Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary |
G | Umoja Gibson | OU | MIZZ | 18.67 | $4,500 | G | Dante Harris | GT | CO | 17.03 | $5,000 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | | | | | |
G | Berrick JeanLouis | IONA | BAMA | 24.25 | $4,900 | G | Joseph Yesufu | DRAK | USC | 18.49 | $6,500 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | | | | | |
G | Isaiah Miller | UNCG | FSU | 38.56 | $9,000 | G | Jaden Shackelford | BAMA | IONA | 22.19 | $5,300 |
????Pivot | Cameron Thomas | LSU | STBON | 31.53 | $7,900 | ????Pivot | | | | | |
F | Chudier Bile | GU | COL | 21.38 | $5,700 | G | Javonte Smart | LSU | STBON | 26.29 | $6,700 |
????Pivot | Hunter Dickinson | MICH | TXSO | 27.76 | $7,300 | ????Pivot | | | | | |
F | Ben Vander Plas | OHIO | UV | 30.10 | $6,200 | F | Trendon Watford | LSU | STBON | 30.88 | $8,200 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | Darius Days | LSU | STBON | 23.83 | $5,900 |
F | Trendon Watford | LSU | STBON | 33.23 | $8,700 | F | Qudus Wahab | GT | CO | 24.31 | $6,100 |
????Pivot | Osun Osunniyi | STBON | LSU | 32.66 | $8,100 | ????Pivot | Hunter Dickinson | MICH | TXSO | 26.02 | |
Util | Greg Brown | UT | ABICH | 21.1 | $4,800 | F | Berrick JeanLouis | IONA | BAMA | 22.47 | $5,200 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | | | | | |
Util | John Petty Jr. | BAMA | IONA | 25.46 | $6,100 | Util | Michael Weathers | TXSO | MICH | 31.46 | $6,800 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | McKinley Wright IV | CO | GT | 29.67 | $8,000 |
| | | | Total | $49,900 | | | | | Total | $49,800 |
| | | Pivot Total | $49,800 | | | | Pivot Total | $50,000 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
DK GPP | FD GPP |
Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary | Pos. | Player | Team | Opp | FPPG | Salary |
G | Jalen Adaway | STBON | LSU | 23.72 | $5,800 | G | Isaiah Miller | UNCG | FSU | 36.30 | $7,900 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | | | | | |
G | Dante Harris | GU | COL | 18.72 | $5,200 | G | Dante Harris | GT | CO | 17.03 | $5,000 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | | | | | |
G | Jason Preston | OHIO | UV | 38.96 | $8,500 | G | JaQuori McLaughlin | UCSB | CRE | 29.51 | $6,700 |
????Pivot | Austin Reaves | OU | MIZZ | 33.64 | $8,800 | ????Pivot | | | | | |
F | Luka Garza | IOWA | GRACA | 42.59 | $10,000 | G | Jaden Shackelford | BAMA | IONA | 22.19 | $5,300 |
????Pivot | Drew Timme | GONZ | NOR | 33.01 | $9,100 | ????Pivot | | | | | |
F | Kolton Kohl | ABICH | UT | 22.71 | $4,600 | F | Osun Osunniyi | STBON | LSU | 30.96 | $7,800 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | RaiQuan Gray | FSU | UNCG | 25.24 | $6,300 |
F | Isaiah Mobley | USC | DRA | 23.08 | $5,200 | F | Jeriah Horne | CO | GT | 20.17 | $5,200 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | Berrick JeanLouis | IONA | BAMA | 22.47 | $5,200 |
Util | Chudier Bile | GU | COL | 21.38 | $5,700 | F | Chudier Bile | GT | CO | 19.23 | $5,100 |
????Pivot | Will Richardson | ORE | VCU | 22.3 | $6,400 | ????Pivot | Qudus Wahab | GT | CO | 24.31 | $6,100 |
Util | Berrick JeanLouis | IONA | BAMA | 24.25 | $4,900 | Util | Michael Weathers | TXSO | MICH | 31.46 | $6,800 |
????Pivot | | | | | | ????Pivot | Cameron Thomas | LSU | STBON | 29.29 | $7,300 |
| | | | Total | $49,900 | | | | | Total | $49,800 |
| | | Pivot Total | $50,000 | | | | Pivot Total | $49,800 |