This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.
DraftKings features an afternoon start to its featured slate Friday, as five games are scheduled after the UNC-Greensboro/Louisville matchup was cancelled. The top prize is $20k in the $15 Pull Up Jumper, while FanDuel features a $5k first prize in its $5.55 All-American three-game slate.
Targets
Antoine Davis, G, Detroit ($7,800 DK)
Detroit is the only team on the slate making its season debut, which might cause DFS players to hesitate to put Titans on their rosters, thereby creating low ownership percentages. The game against Michigan State features the highest over/under on the slate, and Davis is only the eighth-highest priced player, despite averaging more than 36 minutes last season and leading the team with a 36.1 usage rate percentage. Don't be deterred by the tough matchup either, as Davis showed he can play well against tough opposition after scoring 31 against Gonzaga last year.
Jamal Cain, F, Marquette ($6,200 DK, $5,200 FD)
Marquette looks like a different team this year after graduating its two double-digit scorers from last season, both of whom averaged more than 33 minutes per game. Cain has been a big beneficiary as a result, stepping into a starting role and seeing an uptick of production in nearly every category. Marquette went to a seven-man rotation in its last matchup against Oklahoma State, and Cain's playing time increased to 33 minutes. A double-double threat who can also shoot the three well, Cain makes for a nice value play.
L.J. Figueroa, G/F, Oregon ($4,500 DK, $5,600 FD)
Figueroa didn't play in the Ducks' season opener Wednesday, but his transfer waiver was granted Thursday and he'll play against Seton Hall in the second-highest over/under on the slate. A transfer from St. John's, Figueroa was a full-time starter who averaged more than 14 points in his two seasons and connected on 37 percent of his three-point attempts. It's unclear if he'll start right out of the gate, but he should be looking at 20-plus minutes either way in his team debut.
Fades
Eric Ayala, G, Maryland ($8,400 DK)
This is an awfully high price to pay for Ayala, the third-most expensive player on the slate. Saint Peter's is a defensive-minded, slow-paced team, and Ayala hasn't scored more than 20 points in his career as he begins his junior season. At this price, he needs 40-plus fantasy point upside and Ayala is more of a steady contributor who isn't a double-double threat. Donta Scott ($6,500) is a cheaper option for Maryland who has shot the ball well and may produce a similar output.
Theo John, F, Marquette ($7,700 DK, $6,800 FD)
John has only scored a total of 10 points in his three games against Wisconsin, and he'll be a facing a tough defensive team that has two great post defenders in Micah Potter and Nate Reuvers to give him trouble. John's 14.8 percent usage rate is the lowest of Marquette's starters and to make matters worse, the Badgers play at one of the slowest paces of any teams in the country. John is an efficient player and there will be times to use him this season, but there's too many negatives to use him Friday.
Kent State Offense
Kent State takes on Virginia, and that means a matchup against Tony Bennett, who's teams are one of the best in the country year-in and year-out. That's no different this year, as Virginia features a lineup with plenty of size and length among both the starters and bench. Through three games, Virginia has failed to allow an opposing player reach 20 points, and it would be a surprise to see Kent State reach 60 points. Danny Pippen is an efficient player and the go-to-guy offensively, but at $7,400 his upside is extremely limited.