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
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Isaiah MillerUNCGFSU900038.56790036.30
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 ReavesOUMIZZ880033.64  
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 PrestonOHIOUV850038.96  
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 ThomasLSUSTBON790031.50730029.29
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.
        
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Will RichardsonOREVCU640022.30  
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 HarrisGUCOL520018.70500017.03
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 JeanLouisIONABAMA490024.25520022.47
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
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Luka GarzaIOWAGRACA1000042.59  
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 TimmeGONZNOR910033.01  
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 WatfordLSUSTBON860031.97820030.88
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 DickinsonMICHTXSO730027.80740026.02
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 WahabGUCOL700026.15610024.31
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.
 
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
RaiQuan GrayFSUUNCG670025.20630025.24
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 PlasOHIOUV620030.10  
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 MobleyUSCDRAK520023.1510021.53
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 BrownUTABICH480021.1  
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 CashFD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalaryPos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GUmoja GibsonOUMIZZ18.67$4,500GDante HarrisGTCO17.03$5,000
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
GBerrick JeanLouisIONABAMA24.25$4,900GJoseph YesufuDRAKUSC18.49$6,500
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
GIsaiah MillerUNCGFSU38.56$9,000GJaden ShackelfordBAMAIONA22.19$5,300
????PivotCameron ThomasLSUSTBON31.53$7,900????Pivot     
FChudier BileGUCOL21.38$5,700GJavonte SmartLSUSTBON26.29$6,700
????PivotHunter DickinsonMICHTXSO27.76$7,300????Pivot     
FBen Vander PlasOHIOUV30.10$6,200FTrendon WatfordLSUSTBON30.88$8,200
????Pivot     ????PivotDarius DaysLSUSTBON23.83$5,900
FTrendon WatfordLSUSTBON33.23$8,700FQudus WahabGTCO24.31$6,100
????PivotOsun OsunniyiSTBONLSU32.66$8,100????PivotHunter DickinsonMICHTXSO26.02 
UtilGreg BrownUTABICH21.1$4,800FBerrick JeanLouisIONABAMA22.47$5,200
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
UtilJohn Petty Jr.BAMAIONA25.46$6,100UtilMichael WeathersTXSOMICH31.46$6,800
????Pivot     ????PivotMcKinley Wright IVCOGT29.67$8,000
    Total$49,900    Total$49,800
   Pivot Total$49,800   Pivot Total$50,000
            
DK GPPFD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalaryPos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GJalen AdawaySTBONLSU23.72$5,800GIsaiah MillerUNCGFSU36.30$7,900
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
GDante HarrisGUCOL18.72$5,200GDante HarrisGTCO17.03$5,000
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
GJason PrestonOHIOUV38.96$8,500GJaQuori McLaughlinUCSBCRE29.51$6,700
????PivotAustin ReavesOUMIZZ33.64$8,800????Pivot     
FLuka GarzaIOWAGRACA42.59$10,000GJaden ShackelfordBAMAIONA22.19$5,300
????PivotDrew TimmeGONZNOR33.01$9,100????Pivot     
FKolton KohlABICHUT22.71$4,600FOsun OsunniyiSTBONLSU30.96$7,800
????Pivot     ????PivotRaiQuan GrayFSUUNCG25.24$6,300
FIsaiah MobleyUSCDRA23.08$5,200FJeriah HorneCOGT20.17$5,200
????Pivot     ????PivotBerrick JeanLouisIONABAMA22.47$5,200
UtilChudier BileGUCOL21.38$5,700FChudier BileGTCO19.23$5,100
????PivotWill RichardsonOREVCU22.3$6,400????PivotQudus WahabGTCO24.31$6,100
UtilBerrick JeanLouisIONABAMA24.25$4,900UtilMichael WeathersTXSOMICH31.46$6,800
????Pivot     ????PivotCameron ThomasLSUSTBON29.29$7,300
    Total$49,900    Total$49,800
   Pivot Total$50,000   Pivot Total$49,800