We've got our pretty standard Saturday big money main slate at DraftKings, where the Pull Up Jumper contest has $15,000 in total prizes, three four-digit prizes and a grand prize of $5,000. It's a slightly smaller slate than we normally see over the weekend with just eight games, tipping off between noon and 2:00 p.m. EST, and it's void of some of the day's higher profile matchups.
College Basketball DFS Picks for Saturday, February 7
I won't sugarcoat things; this presents as a difficult slate. Only six of the 16 teams have expected totals of 80 or greater. Our top-priced options are Juke Harris ($10,400) and Nate Bittle ($10,000, the latter of which would be returning from a three-week absence in a game where the Oregon Ducks could lose by 20. Anyone feel great about paying those numbers?
None of the matchups screen an explosive performance from the rest of the top options, so plucking one or two in positive game flows for stability is my preferred way to build here. Or look a touch lower and not force yourself to dip too deep into bargain options but have a plethora of $5,000-$7,000 players.
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College Basketball DFS Top Players
John Blackwell, G, Wisconsin ($8,800)
If I'm going into the 9k tier, Darius Acuff ($9,400) is my preference, but we could be able to squeeze out similar production while saving a few bucks on Blackwell. I feel like he hasn't had the same type of season he had last year, but it's just that, feel, as his counting stats are up across the board. Blackwell has a 28.8 percent usage rate over his last eight, topping 30 points five times. He'll need success to keep the Badgers tight in a game where they're road underdogs.
Thijs De Ridder, F, Virginia ($8,000)
I have some interest in Villanova's Duke Brennan, but again, for a price reduction, we can likely get a similar, safe floor play in De Ridder, and the lower number gives him more ceiling by default. Syracuse can't defend the interior, most recently giving up 39 points and 20 rebounds to UNC's duo of Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar. De Ridder is coming off his first double-double of the calendar year and is averaging 18.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists over his last 11.
Darrion Williams, F, North Carolina State ($7,600)
Williams is the flavor I just can't quit as a quick check of his bio shows this is the fourth time I've included him; and three times he's failed to reach 30 DKP. This is the moment! Williams has a 28.5 percent usage rate over his last 10, averaging 13.5 attempts. He's topped 20 points in three straight and in five of his last eight. The Hokies have impressive length across their lineup, but that should allow the undersized Williams the opportunity to force those bigs to extend and guard on the perimeter, possibly leading to some driving lanes he can exploit.
Check out RotoWire's college basketball starting lineup data to view recent stats, usage trends and identify potential DFS value plays.
Middle Tier
Sananda Fru, F, Louisville ($6,300)
While I personally think this is a touch high to pay for Fru as he's beyond volatile, he's been priced higher because he's shown occasional potential. He's going to be completely ignored over Louisville's higher-priced guards and two things stand out to me about the matchup. Wake ranks 306th in offensive rebound percentage allowed, and 304th in two-point field goal percentage. Fru averages 3.3 offensive boards and is shooting 74.0 percent because all he does is get layups. Wake is far better at defending the 3-point line; sure, the guards have potential, but let others chase that and maybe we get a spike double-double from the Cards big man in a game they should surpass 80 points. Khani Rooths ($5,900) is certainly a viable option that will be more chalky.
Tayton Conerway, G, Indiana ($5,700)
Conerway is a complete wildcard Saturday that has the potential to help win a slate, or give you next to nothing. He played just 10 minutes last time out after missing two games due to an ankle injury, but prior to that, he's been priced as high as $7.500 as the Hoosiers' ball-dominant guard, averaging 11.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals. If he's truly healthy, why wouldn't he see a full slate of minutes in what should be a competitive contest? The reward here can be very high, and perhaps the floor isn't worse than 3x given how efficient he was in his return to action.
Neoklis Avdalas, G, Virginia Tech ($5,400)
For GPPs, it's all about potential, and Avdalas remains long on that. He just hasn't shown it in ages as he simply can't shoot, going 31.2 percent overall in his last nine games since posting 34.75 DKP against Virginia, and a woeful 14.6 percent from 3-point range. Those numbers fall to 19.5 percent and 10.5 percent over the last four. It's gross. But he's averaging 11.5 attempts in that span, a 25.0 percent usage rate, and has always been capable of decent rebound and better assist numbers. The Wolfpack are surging, but they don't defend the arch well at 346th, allowing a 46.2 percent mark. If Avdalas sees one go in early, his confidence could surge.
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College Basketball DFS Value Plays
Trent Pierce, G/F, Missouri ($4,900)
Not sure how a 6-foot-10 guy gives us dual position eligibility, but that opens up interesting scenarios. Pierce played 30 minutes in his first start of the season last time out, tying his second-most fantasy points produced in the process. He's topped 3x this number in six of nine games overall. I very much like Pierce better as a paydown forward, he doesn't rebound enough for us to cheat and plug him in as a "guard". Unlikely double-double potential, but there is a nice ceiling at the price.
Bryce Lindsay, G, Villanova ($4,700)
I probably shouldn't complain about this price, as Lindsay has been as high as $7,700 this season. That alone says he's a bargain, but there's been next to no ceiling since early January. Lindsay is laboring with his shot, sitting at 25.3 percent over his last eight games. But it comes with 30.0 minutes and 8.4 attempts, and enough peripheral performances that we can pencil him in for a 3x return with similar hope to Avdalas above that if a few fall early, the floodgates open. Lindsay posted 18.0 DKP against Georgetown previously, which is more than enough to consider him and spend up elsewhere.
Sebastian Akins, G, Wake Forest ($3,800)
I have some interest in taking a chance on a secondary Deacon as Harris is their only trustworthy piece, but far too expensive. No one knows who is going to step up, and they are likely losing anyway, having dropped four straight and falling to 2-7 in conference. Akins has reached double-digit fantasy points in two straight and three of four, showing a 28.0 percent usage rate over the last two. He's got three or more assists in four straight, so it's not just scoring. Wake should flirt with 75+ points. Akins minutes are very inconsistent, but he's been efficient when on the floor. Low risk at the price, and it's a low ceiling too, but 4x is within the realm of possibilities.
