This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.
DraftKings features eight games on Tuesday's college basketball offering, with $5k to first in its $15 Pull Up Jumper. FanDuel has its regular All-American for $7.77, with a $500 first-place prize. Let's take a look at the day's implied totals before jumping into plays from each salary tier.
Top Players
Paolo Banchero, F, Duke ($8,900 DK)
Duke is taking on one of the worst teams in the country today, as South Carolina State currently ranks near the bottom-10 in the country in terms of KenPom's adjusted efficiency ratings. It's hard to argue with taking any of the Blue Devil starters, but I'm taking Banchero if I had to pick just one. Banchero is currently taking 26.6 percent of his team's shots when on the court, the highest rate on the team. He's also recorded the highest defensive rebounding rate on the team so far this season, so he's a ripe candidate for collecting easy boards against a soft opponent. Banchero's services don't come cheap today, but this is by far his easiest matchup of the season. The last time Duke had a similar opponent, Banchero put up 54 fantasy points on Nov. 22 against the Citadel. There's a reasonable chance we might see something similar today.
Caleb Love, G, North Carolina ($7,900 DK, $8,100 FD)
North Carolina is expected to score over 80 points today, so you'll certainly want to keep the Tar Heels on your radar. Caleb Love is currently leading the team in points, steals, assists and minutes, so he figures to play a significant role in North Carolina's scoring output today. Caleb Love has played 30-plus minutes in every game this season while effectively tying for the team lead in usage rate, so Love no doubt offers a high floor in a favorable matchup. Love has scored 20-plus points in four games this season, and there's a solid chance he'll have five after today.
Middle Tier
Tre Mitchell, F, Texas ($6,700 DK)
Texas is playing against the second-worst team in the country today, per KenPom's adjusted efficiency ratings, so you'll certainly want to consider a Longhorn or two. Not only is Arkansas Pine Bluff at the bottom of the rankings in terms of both offensive and defensive efficiency, but the Golden Lions are also at the bottom of rebounding as well. For this reason, Tre Mitchell and Timmy Allen should see a noticeable boost because they are the two most productive rebounders on the team. Tre Mitchell is also an exception scorer, having previously scored 30-plus points several times in his past two seasons at Massachusetts. With Texas this season, he's taking 29.3 percent of his team's shots when on the court, the highest rate on the team, so we can count on him to try and put up points against perhaps the easiest defense he'll play against all season.
Ryan Nembhard, G, Creighton ($5,700 DK, $6,200 FD)
Nembhard entered the season as one of the highest-rated recruits to commit to Creighton, and so far he's not doing too bad. Nembhard has scored double figures in all but one game this season, only scoring nine points in the lone exception on Nov. 27. The freshman point guard is also adept at involving teammates, recording two-plus assists in every game this season, including 10 assists in his first-ever collegiate contest. Nembhard has scored 18-plus fantasy points (DraftKings) in every game this season, while posting a season-high 39 fantasy points against Nebraska on Nov. 16, a glimpse of his ceiling. Either way, Nembard will provide a solid floor at an affordable salary.
Value Plays
Jamal Shead, G, Houston ($4,600 DK)
Shead was recently inserted into the starting lineup five games ago, and it appears his salary is a little slow to adjust. Since being promoted to a starter, Shead is averaging 7.8 points, 6.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. Currently, Shead has the 62nd highest assist rate in the country and the 50th highest steal rate in the country, suggesting his recent stat lines are no accident. Shead shouldn't have too much trouble padding his stats today, considering Houston is favored by 20-plus points in today's contest. The Cougars will likely top 80 points today, and Shead should play a key role in the process.
Zakai Zeigler, G, Tennessee ($3,800 DK)
Although not a starter, Zeigler has played the fifth-most minutes on the team on the team this season, underscoring his current sixth-man role. Zeigler is assertive whenever he's on the court, currently possessing the third-highest usage rate on the team. Zeigler has scored nine-plus points in four games this season, including both of his most recent games, and he's also collected multiple assists in five games this season. Zeigler is also effective on the other side of the court, as he has an exceptional steal rate, currently ranked No. 101 in the country. All in all, Zeigler offers a bit of upside given his skill set and role on the team. Also, he might benefit from the matchup because Tennessee is a 30-plus point favorite today, so Zeigler might see extra minutes depending on the game score.
