This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.
Today's college hoops slate consists of six games with just one exclusive matchup offered by DraftKings. The highest scoring game in the pool figures to be Florida-Alabama so that's where we'll begin today's preview.
Targets
Scottie Lewis, G, Florida ($7,900 DK, $7,600 FD)
The Gators are expected to score over 75 points tonight, and Lewis should have a significant impact. Lewis plays the second-most minutes on the team while having the second-highest offensive efficiency rating among all Gators. Lewis has established a relatively high fantasy floor, so he seems like a near lock considering this should be a fast-paced, high-scoring affair. Tre Mann ($,7600 DK, $7,200 FD) is another solid option, although he's had more variance throughout the season compared to Lewis.
Jacob Young, G, Rutgers ($7,300 DK, $6,700 FD)
This is somewhat hard to believe, but Michigan State currently has the fourth-worst defense in the Big Ten in terms of adjusted efficiency. Rutgers' offense enters the game ranked No. 18 in the country, so I'm thinking the Scarlet Knights have a chance to rack up the points. This game has the second highest over/under number on the board, so we should see a good amount of scoring. Young uses the most possessions on the team while also playing the most minutes. A potent recipe for fantasy points.
Jalen Wilson, F, Kansas ($7,200 DK, $6,600 FD)
Kansas has a noticeable rebounding edge over TCU, so it's only natural we target the Jayhawk with the most rebounds. And if the matchup advantage wasn't enough, Wilson is used in over 24 percent of his team's possessions when on the court while sporting the highest offensive efficiency rating among all Kansas starters. The Jawhawks are expected to score over 70 points tonight and Wilson should have a significant slice of the action.
DraftKings Exclusive
Abdul Ado, F, Mississippi State ($5,300)
The key for Ado and the rest of the Bulldogs is that they have a rebounding and blocking advantage over the Tigers coming into the game. Ado leads the Bulldogs in blocked shots and has seen increased minutes in each of his last couple games. Ado relies more on defensive stats for fantasy scoring but nonetheless has a great opportunity for providing value. A safer bet in this matchup, albeit more expensive, is Tolu Smith ($7,000), as he also has high rebounding and blocking rates.
Fades
Jericole Hellems, F, NC State ($6,500 DK, $6,200 FD)
Clemson currently boasts the second-best defense in the country in terms of adjusted efficiency. An opposing team has yet to score more than 67 points on the Tigers since November, and there isn't much reason to think the Wolfpack will do much better. Hellems has had hit-or-miss fantasy performances throughout the season, so I'd rather not take a chance on a day when he's playing against an elite defense. The value here falls further if Manny Bates (knee) ends up suiting up.
Harlond Beverly, G, Miami ($6,700 DK, $6,600 FD)
Gotta tip my hat to Beverly. He embarassed me and proved me wrong the last time I had the nerve to put his name in this section. The key difference this time around is the opponent. North Carolina's defense is currently ranked No. 19 in the country in terms of efficiency, so there's a good chance it's going to be a tough day for Beverly and the rest of the Hurricanes. The other concern with Beverly is that he effectively has the worst offensive efficiency rating on the team. I have a hard time believing he's going to have a productive day against a good defense given his inconsistent track record this season. If Beverly proves me wrong once again, then I promise I'll leave him alone from here on out.
TCU
The Horned Frogs currently have the third worst offense in the Big 12 in terms of adjusted efficiency and now they have to go against a defense that is ranked No. 12 in the country. If you believe in personal motivation, TCU couldn't ask for worse timing to play Kansas as the latter is coming off a terrible loss in which they were embarassed at home by 25-points. I realize I might get burned by ignoring players like RJ Nembhard ($8,100 DK, $7,500 FD) or Kevin Samuel ($8,000 DK, $7,100 FD) but ultimately I'd rather not take a risk especially when there's so many other higher scoring games on the table.