College basketball season is in full swing and DraftKings and FanDuel continue to provide sizable contests for CBB DFS grinders. Examining the college basketball DFS slate for Jan. 26, a number of core plays stand out. This piece will locate the plays from each college basketball matchup and determine the top CBB DFS picks for DraftKings and FanDuel lineups.
If you’re looking to take your game to the next level, be sure to check out our daily CBB projections (FREE TODAY) and Matt Gajewski’s daily college basketball breakdown over at the Awesemo College Basketball page.
CBB DFS Picks: DraftKings & FanDuel Fantasy Basketball
Studs
Trayce Jackson-Davis ($9,000) — For those looking to spend up, tonight’s main slate lacks some of the star power of recent slate. One particular option could be Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis. Indiana enters this game as an 8.5-point favorite over Penn State in a game with a 128 total. While the total is not flattering, Indiana draws a 189th ranked Penn State defense. Interestingly, Penn State ranks 158th in rebounding despite the presences of Seth Lundy and John Harrar in the paint. Simply a cut above the Penn State big men, Jackson-Davis should have no trouble exploiting his 19.3% usage rate, 21.2% shot rate and 22.5% rebound rate here.
Justin Lewis ($8,800) — One of the hottest teams in the country, Marquette hits the road as a 4.5-point underdog to Seton Hall in a game with a 146-point total overall. Both of these teams play fast, contributing to an excellent game environment on this particular slate. While Tyler Kolek also projects well for his price, he is more of a peripheral player. Justin Lewis is more expensive, but he provides legitimate upside across statistical categories. Lewis has an 18.6% usage rate, 22.1% shot rate, 22.1% rebound rate, and 9.3% assist rate on the year. He has also played 34, 32, and 34 minutes in three straight games, while Kolek has not been as consistent with minutes.
Vince Williams ($7,700) — One of the worst game environments on the slate, VCU is a 3.5-point underdog to Davidson in a game with a 129-point total. Williams is a potential stud to target nonetheless after dominating usage of late. The forward has now played 35, 37, and 30 minutes in three straight games for VCU. In that span, he has contributed a 16.5% shot rate, 25.4% rebound rate, and 20% assist rate for VCU. Importantly, Williams draws a solid matchup against a soft Davidson interior. Davidson ranks 167th in interior defense and 266th in rebounding, giving Williams an excellent matchup. Hyunjung Lee and Foster Loyer are excellent options on the opposing side as well.
Jared Rhoden ($7,700) — Still expected to miss Bryce Aiken, Seton Hall should rely more on Jared Rhoden. While Rhoden plays a different position, Aiken vacated a team leading 19.6% usage rate. Rhoden is already heavily involved, playing at least 30 minutes in three straight games. His 18.6% usage rate on the season has also climbed to include a 22.1% shot rate, 13.7% rebound rate, and 17.2% assist rate in Seton Hall’s last two games. While Rhoden went 6-for-14 for 12 points in Marquette in their first matchup, the veteran should be asked to do more without Aiken. Still a buy low, Rhoden secured 12 boards and 12 points, despite shooting 4-for-17 from the field in Seton Hall’s last game.
Rhoden was shooting to the top of the CBB DFS projections today, as well as the CBB DFS lineup optimizer. Check out who else was showing up as some of the best plays on the College Basketball DFS slate tonight with our DraftKings CBB DFS Picks Cheat Sheet and FanDuel CBB DFS Picks Cheat Sheet.
Mid-Range
Adrian Baldwin ($6,500) — For those hesitant to spent extra salary on Williams for VCU, Adrian Baldwin could be a strong consolation prize. After a slow start to the year, Baldwin has played 38, 39, and 31 minutes in three straight games for VCU. Importantly, he has contributed a 19% shot rate, 16,9% rebound rate, and 40% assist rate for VCU in that span. Taking advantages of the same defensive weaknesses as Williams, Baldwin makes for an attractive mid-priced play.
Kadary Richmond ($6,200) — The primary beneficiary of Aiken’s injury, Kadary Richmond has played horrific basketball in his increased role. After shooting 3-for-19 from the field in Aiken’s first missed game, Richmond followed that up with an 0-for-8 shooting performance in Seton Hall’s most recent game. Obviously a positive regression candidate, Richmond still possesses a 16.3% usage rate on the year. He also played 33 and 38 minutes in Seton Hall’s last two games, seeing his shot rate rise to 18.4% and his assist rate to 51.7% as he handles point guard duties. Even with his poor performances recently, Richmond is a strong buy low.
Foster Loyer ($6,100) — Mentioned above, Loyer looks like another usage monster within the VCU – Davison game. The Michigan State transfer has a team-leading 20.9% usage rate this year, with increasing rates across the board. Loyer has now played 38, 38, and 33 minutes in three straight games for Davidson, contributing a 21.5% shot rate, 16% rebounding rate, and 23.1% assist rate. Despite the poor game environment, the narrow usage for Davidson provides the potential for a GPP winning score.
Moussa Diabate ($5,600) — For those looking at GPP options, Moussa Diabate has recently taken on a larger role for Michigan. The Wolverines are 8-point favorites in a game with a 141.5-point total. Diabate has now played 35 and 30 minutes in back-to-back games for Michigan. Bringing a 14.7% usage rate, Diabate has contributed a 14% shot rate and 21.4% rebound rate over Michigan’s last three games. With an increased role, Diabate looks like an interesting mid-priced contrarian play behind one of the better team totals on the slate.
Bo Hodges ($5,100) — Perhaps the worst game environment on the entire slate, Butler is a 4-point underdog to Creighton in a game with 126.5-point total. Despite the poor game environment, Butler recently returned Bo Hodges from injury. One of the team’s premier starters toward the back end of last year, Hodges finally played 34 minutes in Butler’s most recent game. In that time on the floor, Hodges went 8-for-12 from the field with 17 points and eight boards. Involved across all statistical categories, Hodges is simply underpriced for the role he plays in Butler’s offense when fully healthy.
Value Plays
Isaac Likekele ($4,900) — Another poor game environment, Oklahoma State is a 3.5-point favorite over Iowa State in a game with a 127-point total. Bryce Williams is expected to miss this game, vacating a team-leading 18.4% usage rate. Isaac Likekele has played 30, 34, and 36 minutes in three straight games and should greatly benefit from Williams’ absence. Likekele only has a 12% usage rate on the year, but he has contributed a 13.3% shot rate, 15.3% rebound rate, and 15.6% assist rate. With room for growth in a narrowed rotation, Likekele makes sense just below $5,000.
Au’Diese Toney ($4,900) — One of the better game environments on the slate, Arkansas is a 4.5-point favorite against Ole Miss in a game with a 141-point total. Recently narrowing their rotation, Arkansas has played Au’Diese Toney 43, 33, and 39 minutes in three straight games. Toney has an uninspiring 10.4% usage rate on the season, but he has become more involved of late. In Arkansas’ last three games, Toney has a 15.7% shot rate and 15.7% rebounding rate for the Razorbacks. Ole Miss ranks 274th in interior defense and 194th in rebounding, setting up Toney for a strong positional advantage here.
Tyrese Samuel ($4,100) — After reportedly battling injury earlier this season, Tyrese Samuel has recently seen his minutes trend up. Samuel has now played 26 and 21 minutes in back-to-back games. Samuel is still coming off the bench, but a position in the starting lineup could make him more interesting for tournaments. Even as the sixth man, Samuel might do enough in this elite game environment to be worth consideration at his price.
Trey Wade ($3,400) — For those looking at pure punt play, Arkansas wind-sprinter Trey Wade could fit the mold. Wade has played 34, 31, and 20 minutes in Arkansas’ last three games. Doing almost nothing in his time on the floor, Wade has a 5.1% shot rate, 6.1% rebound rate, and 3.1% assist rate. However, Wade has shown a solid minute floor of late and provides enough salary relief to target multiple studs.
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