We're seeing slightly elevated prizes from DraftKings as we drift further into the CBB season. Saturday's main slate, which tips at noon EST, comes with a $8,000 total prize pool, and two places can earn four-figures, something we haven't seen previously. It's a 10-game slate that's compact, with all games tipping by 1:00 p.m. EST.
College Basketball DFS Picks for Saturday, January 24
Freshmen Cameron Boozer ($11,500) and Caleb Wilson ($10,900) lead the way as far as price goes, and both certainly have merit. Boozer is expensive, but seems like a cash game must, while still having GPP upside. Wilson could be a decent GPP pivot, and I do believe there's enough value available to comfortably fit one of these aces into lineups.
Georgia-Texas (170.5) gives us our highest scoring expectancy, with three additional games coming in at 150.5 or greater. Three games sit at less than 140 points, and Maryland comes in with a low 61.0 point total, seemingly making them a rotation to ignore, with Villanova (62.5) close behind. Providence is an interesting case, presenting with three players priced at $8,200 or greater and an implied total of 84.5 points. Feel free to grab a piece and hope for the best, but it's personally not for me.
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College Basketball DFS Top Players
Dailyn Swain, G/F, Texas ($9,400)
I loathe the price, but Swain brings roster flexibility and comes in a game with a 168.5 point total where the Longhorns are favored. Georgia sits at No. 1 overall in tempo, per KenPom; if the pace plays true, Swain clears 20 points with ease and should play more than enough minutes to flirt with a double-double. Swain isn't likely to flirt with Boozer or Wilson's ceiling, but his floor is similar for $1,00 less. Swain represents an elite cash game play with a price point that allows for GPP appeal.
Josh Hubbard, G, Mississippi State ($8,700)
Hubbard isn't remotely in play for cash situations, but if we're trying to take down this GPP, he's going to be a high upside, low-floor option that won't be heavily rostered. The price is down from a $9,600 ceiling, but the usage remains strong at 29.6 percent over his last four. Vandy has lost three straight, two on the road, and allowed 191 points in their last two. Hubbard doesn't do enough peripherally to create a floor. But, this is a spot for high-volume shot attempts where he can top 40 fantasy points if he's seeing a big hoop.
Malik Thomas, G, Virginia ($8,000)
The metrics say UNC is a decent defensive team; the eyeballs don't. They're allowing a ton of transition points and open 3-point opportunities that the casual fan can see. Chance Mallory ($4,700) is going to be incredibly popular, and if you want contrarian value from a team that will flirt with 80 points, Sam Lewis ($4,300) is your play. But give me Thomas as a low-rostered option atop of this slate. He leads the Cavaliers in 3-point attempts and is second in scoring while alo being a capable rebounder. He's reached 30 DKP or more in four of his last six.
Check out RotoWire's college basketball starting lineup data to view recent stats, usage trends and identify potential DFS value plays.
Middle Tier
Solo Ball, G, Connecticut ($5,200)
Ball has been priced as high as $8,200, so don't we have to take a stab at this reduced mark? It's a game that will go ignored. The Huskies are sitting at a 73.5 point implied total, far and away enough to allow Ball drop a slate-breaking hammer given the 30+ minutes and 25.0+ usage rate.
Vince Iwuchukwu, F, Georgetown ($5,100)
Iwuchukwu has shown a 3x floor and 5.6x ceiling in five games since returning from injury. KenPom likes this game to go over (167.0 against a 162.5 point total) yet, somehow this number is $700 lower than it was mid-week. There aren't favorable block or offensive rebound metrics for Iwuchukwu, but with a 24.0 percent usage rate and minutes seemingly guaranteed, he presents with stability as a cheap-ish front court option.
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College Basketball DFS Value Plays
Berke Buyuktuncel, F, Nebraska ($4,800)
It feels a touch like paying for minutes here, but so long as it's sub 5k, Buyuktuncel is viable. He's a lock for 23+ minutes which results into stumbling into low end stats, but they count. This should be a competitive game where he can see an uptick in run, and eight points, eight rebounds works very well at the price. There's no ceiling, but Buyuktencel should provide a value floor.
Derek Dixon, G, North Carolina ($3,900)
The Heels backcourt has been underwhelming all season, and it's resulted in a changing of the guard, with Dixon having started two straight. He's not doing a ton other than scoring, which creates a lack of a ceiling, but the price remains below the opportunity. He's provided 18.75 and 22.75 DKP in those starts, which far exceeds his price. Ascending player, ascending role, minimal risk; Dixon should be heavily rostered but could go overlooked based on optimizer projections.
