College Basketball DFS Picks: DraftKings + FanDuel Core Plays | 1/19

College basketball season is finally upon us, and DraftKings and FanDuel continue to provide sizable contests for DFS grinders. Examining the slate for Jan. 19, 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.

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CBB DFS Picks: DraftKings + FanDuel Core Plays | Jan. 19

Purdue vs. Ohio State

Purdue (67.25 Team Total)

A poor game environment with a sub-140 total, Purdue also limits the minutes of their best players. Trevion Williams ($8,600) played just 19 minutes coming off arguably the best game of his season. His 23.8% usage is elite, but his minutes are extremely volatile. Sasha Stefanovic ($5,800) and Eric Hunter ($6,000) are the other two players with semi-consistent minutes. Hunter provides a serviceable 17.9% usage rate, but better values exist in this price range. Purdue provides nothing but GPP dart throws. Mason Gillis ($4,400) has played at least 26 minutes in back-to-back games at a cheap price, but even this looks risky.

Ohio State (71.25 Team Total)

Purdue is one of the slowest teams in the country, and this game projects the same. C.J. Walker is out for Ohio State and Jimmy Sotos ($4,100) is questionable with his shoulder injury. Purdue struggles to defend the interior, creating a bounce-back spot for a struggling E.J. Liddell ($7,500). However, he still is expensive with minute concerns. Duane Washington ($6,800) and Justice Sueing ($6,100) have played the most consistent roles for Ohio State of late, with 30-plus minutes in three straight. Washington handles the ball, giving him more upside, but neither looks like a preferred play tonight.

Tennessee vs. Florida

Tennessee (71.75 Team Total)

Another slow-paced, low totaled game, Tennessee enters the slate as 6-point favorites over Florida. Tennessee plays extremely slow and defensively sound basketball, leading to low upside. John Fulkerson ($6,800), Santiago Vescovi ($5,200) and Josiah-Jordan James ($6,400) play the most consistent roles for Tennessee, but usage is spread evenly between them. Jaden Springer ($4,700) recently entered the starting lineup for Victor Bailey ($5,500) and could provide upside for GPPs. Ultimately, none stand out above the pack outside of GPP fliers.

Florida (65.75 Team Total)

Playing without Scottie Lewis against a slow, defensively-sound team spells trouble for Florida. Compounding problems, Florida often benches players in foul trouble for extended periods of time. Tre Mann ($8,000) and Colin Castleton ($7,300) no longer provide value at their elevated prices. Tyree Appleby ($5,000) and Noah Locke ($4,400) both could provide value, but neither has a usage rate north of 13.3%.

South Carolina vs. Missouri

South Carolina (68.5 Team Total)

After dealing with a COVID-19 scare, Jalyn McCreary ($4,500) and Alanzo Frink ($3,500) enter this game with the questionable tags. A.J. Lawson ($7,500) and Jermaine Cousinard ($6,900) dominate usage for this team at 22% and 23.6%, respectively. Missouri ranks 58th in overall defensive efficiency, making both nothing more than expensive GPP plays in a poor game environment. Justin Minaya ($6,400) plays a lot but windsprints his way to poor DFS outings regularly.

Missouri (74 Team Total)

Missouri shook up their rotation a bit in their most recent game, limiting the minutes of Xavier Pinson ($6,000) and Mark Smith ($4,300). Neither played more than 19 minutes, while Dru Smith ($6,300) and Jeremiah Tilmon ($6,700) played their normal roles. Smith provides the superior usage to Tilmon from a season-long perspective, while Tilmon has performed well of late. South Carolina struggles inside, giving Tilmon an edge, but both are worthwhile targets in the middle range of salaries.

Maryland vs. Michigan

Maryland (65 Team Total)

Another middling game environment, Maryland projects to lose by double digits to Michigan. Positively, Maryland returns Eric Ayala ($6,100) a rotational role after a two-game absence. This likely renders Hakim Hart ($4,900) too expensive, while Donta Scott ($7,000) and Aaron Wiggins ($7,100) continue to provide the most upside. Michigan plays elite interior defense, giving Wiggins the slight edge in a difficult matchup. Avoiding Maryland entirely makes the most sense here.

Michigan (75.5 Team Total)

Eli Brooks ($4,600) enters this game as a game-time decision, potentially opening Chaundee Brown ($4,200) as a value play. Brown played 27 minutes without Smith last time out. Hunter Dickinson‘s ($7,900) minutes dropped with the return of Austin Davis. This makes Isaiah Livers ($7,600) and Franz Wagner ($8,500) the two top targets for Michigan and both are appropriately priced. Mike Smith ($5,100) could be a cheap attachment to Michigan if Brooks plays.

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Penn State vs. Illinois

Penn State (72 Team Total)

One of the worst teams in the Big Ten, Penn State enters this contest with a decent implied team total in a pace-up spot. Penn State consistently runs an eight-man rotation, with Myreon Jones ($6,600) leading the team in usage (22.1%). He has at least 20 points in three straight games. Jamari Wheeler ($4,900) plays the next most consistent role, but his usage rate sits at 10.5%. Izaiah Brockington ($6,700), Seth Lundy ($5,000) and John Harrar ($5,200) split time in the post. Brockington plays the most consistent role with his 19.5% usage rate. He also has at least 29 minutes in three straight. Harrar enters this contest off his best game of the year with 14 points and 14 boards. Myles Dread ($4,100) plays around 24 minutes a game but provides little upside. Outside of Harrar and Jones, this Penn State team is difficult to trust.

Illinois (80 Team Total)

The third-highest implied team of the slate, Illinois warrants strong consideration in a pace-up spot. Penn State’s primary weakness comes in the post, setting up Kofi Cockburn ($8,200) for a smash spot. After limited minutes early in the season, Cockburn has played at least 28 in three straight games. He also rebounds at a 33% clip in Illinois’ last three games. Ayo Dosunmu ($8,800) is another potential stud to target, with a team-leading 24% usage rate. Dosunmu has disappointed of late, but he still has a 28.4% shot rate, 17% rebound rate and 26.5% assist rate in his last three games. Adam Miller ($5,300) has also squashed early season playing time concerns with at least 31 minutes in three straight games. Less used, Miller still has a 15% shot rate in Illinois’ last three and offers salary relief. Trent Frazier ($5,000) and Da’Monte Williams ($4,800) round out the starting five. Neither is used often, which also bodes true for sixth man Andre Curbelo ($5,600).

Alabama vs. LSU

Alabama (81 Team Total)

Sitting with the second-highest implied team total on the slate, Alabama finds themselves in the highest pace and highest totaled game. Alabama avoided a major scare on Saturday when Herb Jones ($6,600) was still able to suit up despite a hand injury. In competitive games, Jones will push 30 minutes with solid usage rates across the board. He scored 13 points in 23 minutes last time out. John Petty ($6,500) will also play almost every minute, making him a strong mid-priced value. Jaden Shackelford ($6,100) possesses an 18.5% usage rate and has taken the most shots this season. Jahvon Quinerly ($5,900) also returned from his illness to play 21 minutes. He leads the team with an 18.9% usage rate but will split time with Joshua Primo ($5,700). Alex Reese ($4,600) stepped into the starting lineup for an injured Jordan Bruner. However, he only played 24 minutes in a blowout victory. Reese likely splits time with James Rojas ($3,700) and Juwan Gary ($4,000). Jones, Petty, Shackelford and Quinerly are the preferred plays and all enter this contest with affordable price tags.

LSU (82 Team Total)

Leading the slate with and 82 implied team total, Cameron Thomas ($8,300) stands out as a stud to target with his team-leading 24% usage rate. Thomas has at least 17 points in each game since returning from injury, and he took 19 shots in LSU’s most recent game. Trendon Watford ($8,100) also is intriguing. His rebound, shot and assist rates all remain above 20% in LSU’s last three games. Javonte Smart ($7,900) is a cut below Thomas and Watford with is 14.9% usage rate, but he plays every minute on a strong LSU team. Darius Days ($7,700) roams the post for LSU. He often struggles with foul trouble, making him a bigger risk. He leads the team with a 28.6% rebounding rate. Josh LeBlanc ($3,500) popped up for a 23 minute game last time out for LSU. Incumbent starter Mwani Wilkinson ($4,700) only played 20 minutes, potentially opening the door for a LeBlanc punt.

Mississippi vs. Mississippi State

Mississippi (64.75 Team Total)

The lowest implied team total in the lowest implied game on the slate, Mississippi also runs an annoying 10-man rotation. Outside of Devontae Shuler ($7,600) no one plays consistent minutes. K.J. Buffen ($5,900) and Jarkell Joiner ($4,200) both played 30-plus minutes in Mississippi’s most recent game. However, no one looks like a preferred play.

Mississippi State (67.25 Team Total)

Mississippi State also ranks in the bottom five of implied team totals. However, they run a tight rotation through D.J. Stewart ($6,400), Iverson Molinar ($8,200), Tolu Smith ($7,800) and Abdul Ado ($5,600). Javian Davis ($3,900) also projects to return here, but he played an ancillary role prior to his absence. Molinar leads the team with a 20.2% usage rate, but that only narrowly bests Stewart’s 18.9% usage. Because of the savings, Stewart looks like the top play here in an otherwise underwhelming game environment.

Duke vs. Pittsburgh

Duke (71.75 Team Total)

Jalen Johnson ($6,000) returned for Duke last time out and played for minutes. Now with an additional week to get up to speed, Johnson could provide value if he enters the starting lineup. Otherwise, Matthew Hurt ($8,900), D.J. Steward ($7,000), Jeremy Roach ($5,800) and Jordan Goldwire ($6,200) round out the starting five. Hurt’s elite usage always warrants consideration, while Roach provides the most value. Steward and Goldwire will be hard to pay for if Johnson starts.

Pittsburgh (69.75 Team Total)

Justin Champagnie ($9,200) and his elite usage returned to play 34 minutes in Pittsburgh’s most recent game. Champagnie’s elite 21.8% usage rate warrants consideration across formats. Xavier Johnson ($7,800) also stayed out of foul trouble last game to play 35 minutes. He also has a 23.1% usage rate. Au’Diese Toney ($7,400) is expensive with the return of Champagnie, but he also averages over 30 minutes per game. Ithiel Horton ($4,300) provides value as a punt after he retained 34 minutes in Champagnie’s return.

Seton Hall vs. Villanova

Seton Hall (65.5 Team Total)

Sandro Mamukelashvili ($8,400) leads Seton Hall in usage (20%) and plays almost every minute. Villanova ranks 237 in 2-point defense, creating a solid matchup for Mamukelashvili. Jared Rhoden ($7,200) also brings a 20% shot and rebound rate at a slightly discounted price. Myles Cale ($5,200) and Shavar Reynolds ($4,800) round out the guard positions with 13.7% and 12.2% usage rates. Reynolds makes more sense as a punt, but neither provides much stability.

Villanova (75 Team Total)

Fresh off an extended COVID-19 pause, Villanova brings a solid team total and a tight rotation. This also looks like an excellent spot to buy low on Collin Gillespie ($7,300) with his team-leading 19.7% usage rate. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl ($8,000) and Justin Moore ($7,700) make solid GPP plays as key pieces in Villanova’s offensive attack. However, both fall behind Gillespie in usage. Caleb Daniels ($6,200) provides a cheaper attachment to the offense, while all other players play part-time roles.

Miami vs. Syracuse (FanDuel)

Miami (68.5 Team Total)

Kameron McGusty ($5,300) will return for this contest, but Chris Lykes will be out. Last time, McGusty played, he came off the bench to play 28 minutes. Harlond Beverly ($6,600) and Isaiah Wong ($8,000) will both play almost every minute, but the rest of Miami is a mystery as they continue to shake out their rotation.

Syracuse (74.5 Team Total)

Syracuse continues to provide immense value as one of the tightest rotations in college basketball. Alan Griffin ($7,600) left last game with an illness, but he should be back to complement Quincy Guerrier ($8,100) and Marek Dolezaj ($6,900) in the interior. The best value on this team is Buddy Boeheim ($6,200). He leads the team with a 21.1% usage rate and has played at least 37 minutes in three straight games.


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Author
Matt Gajewski graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Economics. Matt has worked in the fantasy industry for the past four years, focusing on DFS and Sports Betting. Matt specializes in NFL, College Football, College Basketball, XFL, and MMA. With GPP victories across the major sports, Matt also qualified for the DraftKings 2020 Sports Betting Championship and won a seat to the College Basketball Tourney Mania final.

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