This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.
Targets
1. Christian Bishop, F, Creighton ($5,700 DK, $6,200 FD)
Bishop's usage to begin the season has rivaled that of teammate Marcus Zegarowski, but Bishop can be played in DFS lineups at a mid-tier salary, while Zegarowski carries a much higher salary with each DFS provider ($7,900 DK, $7,500 FD). Bishop has seen a downtick in playing time during the team's three blowout wins early in the year, but Monday's matchup should be a relatively close contest against a Marquette squad that has the fastest pace on Monday's slate. The junior has posted double figures on the scoreboard in each of the first five games of the 2020-21 season, and he should be a significant contributor in Monday's Big East opener.
2. Donta Scott, F, Maryland ($6,700 DK, $6,800 FD)
Scott has been shuffled between the starting five and a bench role over the first five contests this season, but he's seen significant playing time regardless of his starting status. He's averaging 28.7 minutes per game over the last three contests despite starting on just one of those occasions, and he's put up 14.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game during that time. While the Terrapins are among the slowest-paced teams in the country, Rutgers could keep the game moving with its above-average pace.
3. Colbey Ross, G, Pepperdine ($8,900 DK)
Ross carries the highest salary of any player on Monday's DraftKings slate, but he's been used quite heavily within Pepperdine's offensive attack to begin the season. The senior has played at least 33 minutes in each of the team's first six contests of the year, and his 39.3 minutes per game currently ranks seventh in the nation. He's scored below 10 points in just one game early in the season, but he made up for it with a season-high 11 assists during that matchup. The Waves' matchup figures to be one of the most competitive on Monday's limited slate, and Ross should be a reliable play for those looking to insert a player with a premium salary into their lineup.
Fades
1. Darryl Morsell, G, Maryland ($6,500 DK, $6,500 FD)
Morsell got off to a hot start this season, recording double figures on the scoreboard in each of the first three contests while serving as a strong contributor on both ends of the floor. However, his production has taken a major hit over the past two games. During that time, he's shooting just 14.3 percent from the floor while committing seven turnovers across the two matchups. If the senior can return to form later in the season, he could be one of the Terrapins' top contributors. However, his recent struggles make him a risky DFS play in Maryland's conference opener.
2. Bodie Hume, G, Northern Colorado ($8,500 DK, $6,100 FD)
Hume actually presents decent value on FanDuel with his middling salary, but he has the second-highest salary of any player on DraftKings. The guard has been highly productive over the first two games of the season, posting double-doubles while recording at least 20 points in each contest. However, the Bears put up over 80 points in each of those games, and they should face a much tougher test against Colorado on Monday. The Buffaloes should attempt to slow things down Monday, and Northern Colorado carries the lowest expected score of any team on the DFS slate. Hume will likely be in the mix to record the most points for Northern Colorado against the in-state opponent, but he's a risky play on DraftKings given his salary.
3. Theo John, F, Marquette ($5,500 DK, $6,000 FD)
John was held scoreless in Friday's matchup against UCLA, and coach Steve Wojciechowski revealed after the game that the senior had been limited in practice leading up to the game. While he didn't appear to face any playing time limitations against the Bruins, he struggled with mobility due to the injury. There's been no indication that John is in danger of missing Monday's conference opener, but it's safe to wonder whether he'll be able to contribute at his full potential if the injury is still bothering him. For those looking for value from the Golden Eagles, DJ Carton carries a similar salary to John's and should see an increased role Monday with Symir Torrence (toe) doubtful against Creighton.