This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.
DraftKings is running a unique DFS slate Monday, as three of the four games have 30-plus point spreads, with three teams expected to eclipse 85 points. While college basketball has had plenty of upsets in recent weeks, it's worth looking at the usage of players in blowout matchups before inserting them into lineups Monday. DraftKings features its $6K Big Jam on Monday, which pays out $2,000 to the winner.
Top Players
James Akinjo, G, Baylor ($8,400 DK)
Akinjo had a relatively inconsistent start to the year on the scoreboard, but he's now scored in double figures in three of the last four contests and has recorded double-digit field-goal attempts in three of those appearances. The senior carries one of the highest salaries on Monday's DFS slate but has had well-rounded production that's made him a reliable fantasy contributor. Akinjo has topped 25.0 fantasy points on DraftKings in six of his last eight appearances, and he's generally had ample playing time in blowout wins.
Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue ($8,300 DK)
Although Purdue has been effective as a team to begin the season, many of the players have had had inconsistent performances on an individual basis. However, Ivey has had plenty of success on the scoreboard and has established a solid fantasy floor as a result. He's been especially effective across the last five games, as he's played at least 24 minutes in each of those appearances while logging at least five rebounds in three of those outings. The sophomore is shooting 51.5 percent from the floor to begin the year and has the potential to provide strong DFS value in spite of his top-tier salary Monday.
Middle Tier
Vonterius Woolbright, G, Western Carolina ($5,500 DK)
Monday's matchup between Georgia and Western Carolina is expected to be the most competitive game on the DFS slate, and Woolbright has led the Catamounts in usage to begin the season. He's scored 10-plus points in each of the last two matchups, posting a double-double Dec. 8 while falling one rebound short of the feat Dec. 11. Georgia isn't particularly efficient on the defensive side of the ball, so Woolbright has the potential to provide strong DFS value at his mid-tier salary.
Andrew Nembhard, G, Gonzaga ($6,800 DK)
Nembhard has been more inconsistent on the scoreboard than some of his teammates, but he posted his second-highest scoring total of the season with 16 points in Saturday's win over Texas Tech. Although the senior has scored in double figures just twice this season, he's remained effective from a fantasy standpoint as a result of his well-rounded production while averaging 5.0 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. In spite of his inconsistency in the scoring column, Nembhard has had plenty of playing time and could provide DFS value against Northern Arizona on Monday.
Value Plays
Kario Oquendo, G/F, Georgia ($4,500 DK)
Unlike Abdur-Rahim, Oquendo has served as a starter in nine of the first 10 games of the season. The sophomore has had plenty of shot volume early in the season, which has given him a relatively high floor on the scoreboard. He shot just 23.8 percent from the floor across his last two appearances, but he still scored at least eight points in each of those contests since he had 21 field-goal attempts. He's had more overall success across the last five games, as he's averaged 12.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 27.4 minutes per contest during that time. Oquendo has been a reliable fantasy contributor this year and has the opportunity to provide plenty of DFS value at his current salary.
Jabri Abdur-Rahim, G/F, Georgia ($3,600 DK)
Abdur-Rahim has moved back into a bench role across his last four appearances, but he's remained productive for the Bulldogs with at least nine points in each of those games while shooting 55.2 percent from the floor. During that time, the transfer from Virginia averaged 13.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per contest. Although Abdur-Rahim has failed to generate much output outside of the scoring column, he has a low DFS salary Monday that makes him a strong value play in light of his recent success, especially considering the season-ending knee injury to Jailyn Ingram.
