College basketball season is in full swing, and DraftKings and FanDuel continue to provide sizable contests for CBB DFS grinders. Examining the slate for March 14, a number of core plays stand out. In this piece I’ll be locating top plays from each college basketball matchup and determining the top CBB DFS picks for your DraftKings and FanDuel lineups.
CBB DFS Picks: DraftKings + FanDuel Core Plays | March 14
Stud Tier
Ayo Dosunmu ($8,800) — For the third day running, Dosunmu is a preferred play in DFS. Illinois has the second-highest implied team total as a 6-point favorite over Ohio State in a game totaled at 150.5 points. Dosunmu has played at least 32 minutes in three straight games and has an elite 23.3% usage rate this season. Dosunmu accounts for 23.7% of the shots, 13.7% of the rebounds and 29.5% of the assists this season. Still priced below $9,000, Dosunmu makes sense as a stud to target.
Herbert Jones ($8,400) — Holding the highest implied team total on the slate, Alabama is a 5.5-point favorite over LSU in a game with a 157.5-point total. LSU and Alabama both play up-tempo and LSU ranks 216th in defensive efficiency. Jones has a 15.5% usage rate this season, but he accounts for elite rates of late. In Alabama’s last three games, Jones has a 15.9% shot rate, 23.2% rebound rate and 34.9% assist rate. While Alabama’s entire starting five deserves consideration here, Jones stands out among the group.
DeJon Jarreau ($7,400) — Houston is a 13-point favorite over Cincinnati in a game with a 136.5-point total. On top of holding multiple matchup advantages, Houston also runs a narrow rotation for DFS. Jarreau consistently plays over 30 minutes, including at least 34 in his last three games. Jarreau also brings a 17.3% usage rate, 17.9% shot rate, 21.1% rebound rate and 40% assist rate in Houston’s last three games. Even in a potential blowout here, Jarreau warrants consideration as a contrarian stud to target on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Mid-Priced Tier
Javonte Smart ($6,600) — On the other side of the Alabama game, Smart continues to fly under the radar, with a sub-$7,000 price tag. Smart has played at least 35 minutes in three straight games for LSU and accounts for a 15.7% usage rate, 20.9% shot rate, 12.2% rebound rate and 33.3% assist rate in LSU’s last three games. Alabama plays strong defense, but LSU still has a 76-point implied team total due to the elevated game total in this fact-paced environment.
John Petty ($6,300) — For those looking at mid-priced options on Alabama, Petty’s price also looks enticing here. Petty has a 14% usage rate, 15.1% shot rate, 12.1% rebound rate and 13.9% assist rate on the year. He averages 30.9 minutes per game, scoring 12.6 points per contest. While these rates may not seem elite, Petty provides one of the top price-adjusted plays on the slate when adjusted for his favorable game environment.
Jaren Holmes ($5,900) — The least enticing game environment on the slate is St. Bonaventure (-3) taking on VCU. Despite the low 128.5 total, St. Bonaventure is a DFS consideration due to one of the tightest rotations in the country. Holmes has played at least 30 minutes in three straight games and ranks second on the team with a 17.1% usage rate. On the year Holmes has a 20.6% shot rate, 14.4% rebound rate and 13.4% assist rate.
Value Tier
Trent Frazier ($4,900) — With little value on the slate, taking a look at Illinois’ ancillary players could make sense. While Frazier has a mere 12.7% usage rate, he continues to play consistent minutes. Frazier has 31 and 30 minutes in back-to-back games. He only accounts for a 12.3% shot rate and 22% assist rate in Illinois’ last three games, but his consistent minutes provide a solid floor in DFS.
Jamir Watkins ($4,800) — Watkins is as risky as they come, but he provides potential value on a VCU team with a dreadful 62.75-point implied team total. He typically functions as VCU’s sixth man and has at least 21 minutes in three straight games. In this span Watkins accounts for a 19.6% shot rate, 16.8% rebound rate and 9.1% assist rate. While the minutes are risky, Watkins offers decent upside for his price in DFS.
Adam Miller ($4,000) — For those looking at riskier options on Illinois, Miller continues to start for the Illini. Like most of Illinois’ deep rotation, Miller’s minutes are volatile. He has played at least 21 in three straight but has upside for more in the right game environment. He has a 12.8% usage rate and could make sense from a value standpoint alone today.
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