This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.
We have a loaded Saturday slate as most power conferences start league play. Both DraftKings and FanDuel have their main slates going at noon Eastern, with DK featuring eight games, seven of which overlap. Exclusive to DK is USC vs. Utah, while FanDuel has included Miami vs. Clemson, Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech and Baylor vs. Iowa State.
Iowa is included, so the slate's top question, per usual, is whether we're paying for Luka Garza ($10,200 DK, $9,200 FD). He's coming off of his worst game of the season, which has led to a small salary reduction, but with such a large slate, my preference is to fade and build a more balanced lineup.
Targets
Scottie Lewis, G/F, Florida ($7,700 DK, $7,600 FD) 
This outing comes with a narrow spread and a high point total, setting up for a nice game stack as such. Lewis is the safest option on the Gators side, having returned better than 4x at this number in three consecutive games after a slow start. The salary is creeping up, but Lewis' ability to contribute across the board keeps his floor stable. If we're looking toward the Tigers side of this game, Javonte Smart ($6,800 DK, $6,700 FD) is appealing as he's priced down. He played 34 minutes in his return to action, and his fantasy scoring was only down due to a 1-8 FG showing. He has nice upside.
Montez Mathis, G/F, Rutgers ($6,800 DK, $6,600 FD) 
I'd expect this to be pretty chalky if Ron Harper ($9,100 DK, $8,100 FD) sits due to an ankle injury, which creates too obvious an appeal. Mathis had a 34.6 percent usage rate against Purdue with Harper sidelined and would be the offensive focal point in a game with the largest total at 158.5.
Connor Vanover, F, Arkansas ($5,000 DK, $6,800 FD) 
Vanover is a polarizing option due to such huge separation between his ceiling (41.0 DKP) and his floor (7.5 DKP). He's obviously far more appealing at DraftKings given the reduced salary, but his appeal should be evident on both sites. The assumption is Justin Smith ($6,100 DK, $6,400 FD) sits due to an ankle injury, opening a surer role for Vanover. Arkansas is a nice favorite with an implied total of about 76, and a 5x return at DK wouldn't surprise as a result.
Fades
Keve Aluma, F, Virginia Tech ($7,400 DK, $7,500 FD) 
Even after last week's thrashing by Gonzaga, Virginia checks in at 10th in defensive efficiency and play at the slowest tempo in the nation, per KenPom. It should come as no surprise this game has a low 122.5 total, with the Hokies coming in on the wrong side of a six-point spread. Aluma has been fantastic, but the Wofford transfer will be getting his first taste of Virginia's pack-line defense, and it's hard to see a path to 4x return as a result.
Ochai Agbaji, G, Kansas ($7,400 DK, $7,300 FD) 
These two sides check in fourth and seventh nationally in defensive efficiency, leading the tilt to a low a 136-ish point total. Agbagi has been relatively matchup proof, besting 4x this value in four of his previous nine outings, that's also his ceiling.
Greg Brown, F, Texas ($8,500 DK, $6,300 FD) 
Brown could be a slate winner at FanDuel given the price discrepancy, but he's not an ideal target given DK's pricing. Kansas' frontcourt is undersized and can be targeted routinely, but Brown hasn't played more than 26 minutes in any outing. The price discrepancy across sites is jarring, and Brown is coming off consecutive double-doubles. Kansas' undersized frontcourt, paired with this price makes him well worth a play at FanDuel, but even recency bias can't justify the tag at DK.
