Tuesday's slate looks like a banger on the college hardwood, and DraftKings is following suit, bringing us another $7,000 total prize pool in their main slate, a nine-gamer that tips at 7:00 p.m. EST. We've got massive point totals with five games sitting at 161.5 or greater, and some really narrow spreads making most games targetable. The exceptions may be Cincinnati/West Virginia (128.5) and Iowa/Minnesota (130.5).
College Basketball DFS Picks for Tuesday, January 6
Cameron Boozer ($12,000) is our most expensive option, one of just two players priced in five-figures. It's a really deep slate where I don't think we have to go that route, and we can instead build a heck of a balanced lineup by living almost exclusively in the mid-tier and not forcing reaches in the bargain bin. Injuries are a bit of a factor. We know Louisville's Mikel Brown is out, but LSU's Dedan Thomas and Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg are uncertain and can create clear and obvious plays if they sit.
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College Basketball DFS Top Players
Alex Condon, F, Florida ($8,400)
I jump around when writing this column, so if it reads disconnected or choppy at times, I apologize -- sometimes players below the lead were penned first. But by the time you reach the conclusion, you're going to see pretty clearly that I don't think we need to force pay-ups or pay-downs. I dont expect Condon to flirt with 40+ DKP, so it further illustrates there's no need to pay heavily Tuesday. Over his last seven games since a one-game absence, Condon has failed to score in double-figures just once and failed to reach seven rebounds just once. Georgia ranks second nationally in tempo, per KenPom, so it's a clear paced-up spot for all the Gators, and Condon's floor should be safe as a result.
Morez Johnson, F, Michigan ($8,000)
Johnson offers a ceiling play if Lendeborg doesn't go, and we shouldn't ignore the Wolverines and their 95 point expectancy. The problem is they're crushing everyone they face, and it's anyone's guess where the spike production comes from. Johnson is off consecutive 40+ DKP outings, earning 26.5 points and 8.5 rebounds with a 30.1 percent usage rate. Revert to the first sentence for a reason to think that continues, as we don't want to completely chase prior box scores.
Loyal readers know my preference for safe forwards and mid-tier backcourt plays. There are mid-tier forwards noted below, so it's not forced. If paying up for a guard, Themus Fulks ($7,800) stands out.
Check out RotoWire's college basketball starting lineup data to view recent stats, usage trends and identify potential DFS value plays.
Middle Tier
Anthony Roy, G, Oklahoma State ($6,700)
Roy is a fine play singularly, but he's here as the leader and placeholder for all things Oklahoma State Tuesday night. He's the most expensive option and has at least 30 DKP in four straight. The Pokes check in sixth in tempo, should flirt with 90 points and UCF will push back, creating a dream scenario where a piece of this game is a borderline necessity, and it could make for a sneaky stack. Parsa Fallah ($6,200) offers us a frontcourt piece and will be overlooked, while Jaylen Curry ($6,200) may not offer the elite ceiling, but profiles very safely for a 3x return.
Donnie Freeman, F, Syracuse ($6,300)
I want to call Freeman a free square because he seems so clear and obvious as a play, but he's also at a season-high price. That's due to the fact that the Orange haven't been featured in the non-conference season, and he's only played five games to date, just returning from injury. He didn't start in his return, but played 27 minutes and amassed a 35.0 usage rate, earning 30+ DKP for the fourth time. Nothing stands out about the matchup with the Jackets; they are solid defensively. But Freeman profiles with a 5x potential as the team's focal point, and gives us the rare mid-tier frontcourt option I can't pass on. I'll potentially be pairing him with the Jackets' Kowacie Reeves ($6,000) in what should be a competitive game seems very viable.
Jizzle James ($5,900), Chance Moore ($5,800), and Meechie Johnson ($6,000) all appear to be worthy of consideration for volume and potential, and I don't hate taking a gamble on Cayden Boozer ($5,300) as a low-floor, high-ceiling cheap entry into the Duke/Louisville matchup. As the intro offers, I think it's very appealing to build a lineup feasting in this tier.
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College Basketball DFS Value Plays
Eli Rice, G, Penn State ($4,700)
The price is elevated enough to make this uncomfortable, and if you're targeting Rice's form to try and pair with the likes of Boozer, that's still eating up $8,400 per player for two spots, so Boozer had better flirt with 60 DKP. Rice has started two in a row, averaging 21.5 DKP, which would be a fantastic 4.6x return. The Nittany Lions are going to get blow out however, so how they divy out minutes makes this riskier than I'd like. For the 20th time in this column, I don't think it's necessary. But it's an option.
Elijah Strong, F, South Carolina ($4,300)
Strong has a 32.1 percent usage rate on the year and 34.5 percent over the last four; he's been incredibly productive when on the court. He also managed to foul out in 10 minutes against Clemson. We know this tier has volatility; Strong personifies that. It's a slate where I'd prefer not to mess around on value plays, but Strong has started two straight and has posted a 5.5x return five times to date, so there is clear upside.
