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 5, 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 5
Stud Tier
Charles Bassey ($9,300) — With three studs price at or above $9,000, Bassey stands out as the top value. While Moses Wright ($9,800) continues his utter domination of the ACC, Bassey faces less competition within his own offense. Western Kentucky enters this slate as a 7.5-point favorite over Old Dominion in a game totaled at 137.5 points. Bassey averages 30 minutes per game but has eclipsed that mark in two of his last three games. In that span he accounts for an 18.9% usage rate and a 32.1% rebound rate in Western Kentucky’s offense. Old Dominion ranks 142nd in interior defense, providing Bassey a favorable matchup in this spot. Likely contrarian with Wright in the same range, Bassey offers a solid pivot on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Isaiah Stevens ($7,700) — Colorado State is a 1-point favorite over Nevada in a game projected to reach 144.5 points. While both teams run extended rotations, most of Colorado State’s usage comes from David Roddy ($9,000) and Stevens. Stevens has played at least 31 minutes in three straight games for Colorado State. He accounts for a 17.7% usage rate, 19.8% shot rate, 13.6% rebound rate and 38.5% assist rate on the season. Stevens also shoots 43% from three, which takes advantage of Nevada’s 144th ranked three-point defense. Stevens is in play as a contrarian stud today.
Jose Alvarado ($7,200) — Georgia Tech enters a layup spot against Wake Forest as a 9-point favorite in a game totaled at 137.5 points. Wake Forest ranks 281st on defense, but typically plays with a slow pace. Many will pay up for Wright in this spot, but Alvarado provides another solid option at a cheaper price. Alvarado continues to play every minute for Georgia Tech with a 16.3% usage rate. For reference, Wright has a 18.6% usage rate, followed by Michael Devoe ($8,200) at 16.9%. Alvarado hasn’t been used as much of late, but he has an 18.6% shot rate, 11.3% rebound rate and 25.3% assist rate in Georgia Tech’s last three games. While contrarian, Alvarado still looks like a cheaper stud worth targeting on this slate.
Mid-Priced Tier
Desmond Cambridge Jr. ($6,900) — On the Utah State side of the Colorado State game, Cambridge is in buy-low territory. Cambridge has played at least 29 minutes in each of his last three games, while averaging 30.8 this season. Cambridge has a 20.4% usage rate, 24.3% shot rate, 12.2% rebound rate, and 17.4% assist rate. Cambridge has taken at least 15 shots in each of Nevada’s last three games. Most of those shots come from three-point range, but Cambridge still has the second-most 2-point field goal attempts on Nevada. Colorado State ranks 202nd in interior defense, meaning Cambridge should be able to drive to the basket here.
Taveion Hollingsworth ($6,500) — For those fading Bassey or looking at cheaper options in Western Kentucky’s offense, Hollingsworth has played at least 30 minutes in each of the Hilltoppers’ last three games. Hollingsworth actually leads the team with a 17.4% usage rate. Hollingsworth has double-digit points in each of his last three games and strong peripheral upside. Hollingsworth makes sense as a mid-priced value play here.
Kameron McGusty ($5,900) — Struggling with injuries throughout 2021, Miami will play this game without Harlond Beverly, Earl Timberlake, Chris Lykes and a number of other ancillary players. Reduced to the tightest rotation on the slate, Isaiah Wong ($8,400), Anthony Walker ($6,200), Elijah Olaniyi ($6,700) and Nysier Brooks ($5,000) all deserve consideration. However, McGusty provides the best price/usage combination on the Hurricanes. He has played at least 36 minutes in three straight game, with a 14.6% usage rate. In Miami’s last three, he has bumped up to a 18% shot rate, 14.6% rebound rate and 46.2% assist rate. Implied for the highest team total against a 313th-ranked Boston College defense, McGusty looks like a staple in DFS lineups today on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Value Tier
Josh Anderson ($4,800) — Anderson missed Western Kentucky’s last two games with an ankle injury and enters this contest with the questionable tag. When healthy, Anderson typically approaches 30 minutes per game, averaging 10 points. Anderson also provides strong peripherals, making him a solid value. If Anderson misses the game, Jordan Rawls ($4,600) provides a direct pivot within the offense. Rawls played 34 and 32 minutes in the games Anderson missed. He also possesses a 15.9% usage rate, making him one of the best values on the slate in this scenario.
Isaiah Mucius ($4,600) — While Wake Forest hasn’t eclipsed 70 points since Feb. 13, they still provide some potential value plays. After Daivien Williamson ($6,400), Mucius plays the second-most minutes. Mucius has played 30 and 31 minutes in back-to-back games. Even with consistent minutes, Mucius’ 13.5% usage rate leaves much to be desired. However, for those with an appetite for risk, Mucius has accounted for a 17.4% shot rate and 14.7% rebound rate in Wake Forest’s last three games.
DeMarr Langford Jr. ($4,500) — On the other side of the Miami game, Boston College has a healthy 71.75-point implied team total as a 4-point underdog to the Hurricanes. After the departures of Wynston Tabbs and Rich Kelly, Boston College continues to play with a condensed rotation. Langford has played 32 and 36 minutes in back-to-back games for Boston College. He now accounts for 13.2% of the shots, 14.3% of the rebounds and 13.5% of the assists. While he doesn’t have a ceiling in any individual category, his consistent usage provides a solid floor for DFS. For those looking at riskier plays, Frederick Scott ($3,600) recently returned to the team. He played 21 minutes in Boston College’s last two games but has the potential for an elevated role moving forward. Both make sense as value plays, depending on the contests.
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