This article is part of our DraftKings College Basketball series.
Saturday night's five-game slate at DraftKings is filled with five heavy favorites, which means there's little reason to go against them. Of course, you have to pick your spots. Michigan and Syracuse love to play defense and Purdue may only have one fantasy relevant player, while Villanova and Gonzaga love to run and have numerous guys that can fill up the stat sheet.
Morehead State at Syracuse (-23), o/u 134.5, 7 p.m. EST
It was a typical ugly performance by Syracuse in their opener as they shot 38.7 percent from the field and 3-for-17 beyond the arc. O'Shae Brissett ($9,000) is the clear play because he's going to get easy looks down low, at least more than Tyus Battle ($7,800), who still isn't shooting the ball well after going 39.9 percent from the field last season. My sleeper on this roster is the coach's son (Buddy Boeheim, $4,500) as he came out gunning in the opener and shot 1-for-11 from the field. He played the third-most minutes for Syracuse and also racked up four boards and three assists. I'm okay with avoiding everyone on Morehead State because they're going against the Syracuse zone. Lamontray Harris ($4,700) could be looked at for cheap since he should at least get rebounds after notching 13 against UConn.
Holy Cross at Michigan, 7 p.m. EST
This may be the most interesting matchup on the slate because Michigan reverted to its defensive ways (63-44 win) in the opener while Holy Cross put up 93 points against Sacred Heart. I'd say Charles Matthews ($7,600) is the best bet because he's Michigan's best player, but similar to last year, he doesn't have a killer instinct, nor is he a guy that wants to put up 20 points per game. Jon Teske's ($6,400) size and experience could end up being the most useful thing in this game, but I'm still not at the point where I'm using him in fantasy. Zavier Simpson ($5,100) and Jordan Poole ($5,000) are more interesting to me because while they aren't great offensively, they're getting minutes and Michigan is going to score on Holy Cross. As for the Crusaders, no one on their team is going to match what they did in the first game considering they shot 55.6 percent from the field. Someone on their team could have a good game like Jehyve Floyd ($6,700) or Patrick Benzan ($5,700), but I think their prices are too high after a great opener.
Ball State at Purdue (-13.5), o/u 145.5, 8 p.m. EST
For Purdue, everything runs through Carsen Edwards ($11,100) and that's unfortunate for fantasy. He dropped 30 of Purdue's 90 points in the first game, while five other guys managed between nine and 13 points. I think Grady Eifert ($6,800) makes the most sense as another option, but he's pricey for what he provides and that's a max of 10 points and 10 boards, what he had in the first game. Otherwise, I'd rather look at Ball State players like Tahjai Teague ($6,400) and Brachen Hazen ($4,900). Purdue is one of the smaller favorites on the slate as an inexperienced team and I think a guy like Teague could reach close to 15 points after dropping 21 and seven boards in the first game.
Quinnipiac at Villanova (-25), o/u 150, 8 p.m. EST
Eric Paschall ($8,700) is now the top scorer in the Villanova offense and his price shows that. Yet, I'd rather save some cash with Phil Booth ($6,500), who isn't the best shooter, but is running the offense. He's set to be this year's Jalen Brunson and that only means good overall numbers are ahead after he dropped 17 points and four assists in the first game. There aren't many values in their roster unless you want one of their bench players like Collin Gillespie ($4,600). I'd rather grab a Quinnipiac player first because 'Nova will give up points after letting Morgan State reach 77 on them. I'm most intrigued by Jacob Rigoni ($5,500) simply because he'd fit right in with the Villanova team. As a 6-6 forward that led the Bobcats with 75 made threes and a 45.5 percentage from deep as a freshman, he's someone that could hit some shots in the second half if Villanova play lackadaisical defense late.
Texas Southern at Gonzaga, 10 p.m. EST
Rui Hachimura ($7,200) should be in every lineup after scoring 33 points in 24 minutes against Idaho State. The junior was great in limited time last season and with a bigger role could be close to 20 points per game until Killian Tillie returns to the squad. Otherwise, the only other value play is Corey Kispert ($6,800), who played a team-high 28 minutes in the first game. Zach Norvell Jr. ($8,600) is priced a little too high in a balanced offense, while Josh Perkins ($7,700) is more of the facilitator that doesn't step up unless needed. Texas Southern won their opener against Baylor, but this is a much different test. Jalyn Patterson ($6,300), Trayvon Reed ($6,100) and Devocio Butler ($4,800) are the only players I'd consider, though Reed is the best pick since he could at least get some rebounds against a Gonzaga team missing Tillie.
