DFS College Basketball: Tuesday Elite Eight Preview

DFS College Basketball: Tuesday Elite Eight Preview

This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.

Gonzaga vs. USC will ultimately be the focus of tonight's slate with a total 18 points higher than Michigan vs. UCLA. That of course puts Evan Mobley ($8,400 DK, $8,500 DK) in play, as well as just about any Gonzaga starter as a viable pay-up option. We still need to pick from both Elite Eight games, let's take a deeper look at some targets and fades.

Targets

1. Hunter Dickinson, F, Michigan ($6,700 DK, $7,300 FD)

Dickinson has gone for 30 DK points in back-to-back games but surprisingly gets a $500 price break for the Elite Eight. While the pace in this game leaves a lot to be desired, UCLA is the worst remaining defense left in the tournament, and the Bruins allow opponents to shoot 49.8 percent on two-point baskets -- good for No. 169 in the country. Cody Riley is solid, but presuming they're without Jalen Hill (personal), there isn't a ton of depth there. 6-6 wing Jaime Jaquez sees the second most time at center, according to KenPom. I favor the Big Ten Freshman of the Year to get the best of this matchup, and he could be in for an even bigger day if Riley gets whistled quick. There's floor and ceiling here.

2. Andrew Nembhard, G, Gonzaga ($5,500 DK, $5,400 FD)

Back to the high over/under game. Gonzaga's biggest advantage in this contest will be guard play, as the ball handling duo of Nembhard and freshman Jalen Suggs ($7,300 DK, $7,100 FD) is far superior to what USC will be able to counter with. Nembhard proved to be the better ball handler in the Sweet Sixteen against Creighton, racking up eight assists and only one turnover. Suggs, on the other hand, had a 6:6 ratio. On the year, Nembhard is averaging 1.2 turnovers in 28.9 minutes, while Suggs averages 3.0 in 28.2 minutes. There's no doubt Suggs is the better NBA prospect with plenty more raw talent, but in high-stakes college games, let the upperclassman handle the rock. 

3. Tahj Eaddy, G, USC ($6,000 DK, $5,600 FD)

While I don't expect Eaddy to put up 20 real-life points like he did against Oregon, he represents a viable cash game play at a bit of a price break. He's hit 4x at this price point in four of his last five games, and has at least 20 DK points in seven consecutive contests. He's the usage leader on the Trojans after Mobley and does most of the ball-handling. If the Trojans can't get it going inside, Eaddy will have to take (and make) shots to keep this competitive. Gonzaga allows opponents to hit 32.1 percent of their three-point baskets, and while that's more than respectable, it's something they are at least vulnerable at, ranking No. 81 in the nation. Isaiah White ($5,000 DK, $4,500 FD) and Drew Peterson ($4,700 DK, $4,700 FD) could fit this salary-relief role too, but their minutes and usage are much less consistent.

Fades

1. Drew Timme, F, Gonzaga ($8,200 DK, $8,100 FD)

I'll reemphasize the same point I made Sunday -- on a two game slate, everyone on this pricing tier should be in your player pool when mass entering. For the single-entry folks, however, Timme is an option you can afford to pass on no matter how hot he's been. While Oregon's Eugene Omoruyi burned me last week with a stellar game against the USC frontcourt, that is the exception, not the rule. The Mobley brothers continue to anchor one of the best defensive frontcourts in the nation, allowing the lowest opposing FG percentage on two-point baskets. Of course, Gonzaga's high-octane offense ranks tops in the country in two-point FG%, so something has to give. I'd argue that even during the NCAA Tournament, Timme and the Bulldogs haven't been tested in the post to this extent. You have to go all the way back to the beginning of the season to find a time they were, as Timme was limited to 25.3 and 28.8 DK points against West Virginia and Iowa, respectively. He fouled out of both contests. Can he defend the taller and more athletic Mobley brothers without fouling? The answer to that question will lead you to the game's winner.

2. Cody Riley, F, UCLA ($5,400 DK, $5,000 FD)

Riley and the UCLA frontcourt are going up against a Wolverine defense that ranks No. 3 in the country in two-point FG defense. Riley hasn't made a three-pointer all year, so Hunter Dickinson won't have to respect him stepping outside. Plus, there's a big foul trouble risk trying to defend Dickinson in the post. The minutes and usage make this play seem reasonable at first glance, but don't take the bait.

3.Tyger Campbell, G, UCLA ($5,100 DK, $5,100 FD)

While the minutes are certainly there, Sunday's Elite Eight matchup against Alabama was the first time Campbell has scored in doubled figures since Feb. 20. His usage rate over the last 10 games is just 18.5 percent -- the fourth-lowest among starters. Most of his fantasy points come from assists, so if the shots aren't falling against a top-10 defense in the country, there's certainly some bust potential here.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jake Letarski plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: rotojakeski, DraftKings: RotoJakeSki.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jake Letarski
RotoWire Editor for College Basketball and MMA. Frequent podcaster, plus radio and video guest. Follow Jake on Twitter at @RotoJake.
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