This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.
Saturday's college basketball slate is small, with only four games available for DFS in the featured array of contests. FanDuel and DraftKings are providing identical offerings that tip off at 7 p.m. EST.
Slate Overview
Purdue (-8) vs. Utah O/U: 133.5
Oklahoma (-4.5) vs. Minnesota at Sioux Falls, SD O/U: 143.5
Maryland (-11) vs. Rhode Island O/U: 144
Oregon (-12) vs. Boise State O/U: 137
Only 11 points separate the highest and lowest totals for the night, so there isn't much separation for us to identify a game to target or fade based on O/U alone.
Top Players
Austin Reaves, Oklahoma (DraftKings $7,100, FanDuel $7,700)
The former Wichita State guard enters the Oklahoma program as a junior, and he's off to a great start as the Sooners' everyday small forward. He posted a 23/6/3 line in his opening game against UT-San Antonio and should be a regular recipient of 30-35 minutes. Although he wasn't utilized as liberally with the Shockers, he'll end up as one of the marquee guys for Oklahoma.
Jahaad Proctor, Purdue (DK $6,900, FD $7,900)
Proctor made my Wednesday column in the DraftKings-only contest against Wisconsin-Green Bay, and he delivered with 26 points and five rebounds. After two productive seasons at High Point, Proctor is now taking his talents into the Power 5, where he should get frequent looks whenever the Boilermakers are on the slate.
Justinian Jessup, Boise State (DK $6,600, FD $6,500)
Jessup is a marquee guy in the Mountain West and is one of the only targets I'll draw from this game. He started out a bit slow with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists in his opening game, but in his senior year he should turn out to be one of the Broncos' most solid contributors. His 6-foot-7 frame makes him more valuable as a wing, which should compromise his assist numbers this season, but he'll contribute enough in the ancillary categories to be relevant.
Cyril Langevine, Rhode Island (DK $7,000, FD $7,800)
I'd caution the Terps to not sleep on Rhode Island, as the Rams have a top-flight center in Langevine. The 6-8 senior has ripped up opponents in the Atlantic 10 for two years now, and should once again find himself in the upper echelon of the country's best rebounders once again. Last season he averaged 14.7 points and 9.9 rebounds in 33 games and has already gotten things off on the right foot with a double-double against LIU.
Brady Manek, Oklahoma (DK $6,500, FD $6,200)
Manek's held the starting center role for the Sooners for two years now, and the 6-9 junior should be ready to take his game to the next level. He's not the best rebounding big man you'll find, but he's a pesky defender who can make you miss. In his first game against UT-San Antonio, he immediately showed signs of improved defensive mettle with three blocked shots, while also converting 46 percent of his shots. If you're looking for a consistent floor Saturday, Manek is your guy.
Matt Haarms, Purdue (DK $7,700, FD $8,300)
Haarms is another guy I'll call on whenever Purdue takes the floor. He swatted an eye-popping seven balls in his opening game against UW-Green Bay and supplemented that great defensive total with 16 points and seven rebounds. He now owns the starting center role in his junior season and seems poised to make waves in the Big Ten.
Value Plays
Chris Duarte, Oregon (DK $6,300, FD $7,100)
This junior-college transfer seems ready made for Oregon's offense and should begin the season as Oregon's starting small forward. He'll make his presence known under the basket as well. He had an excellent debut with the Ducks, totaling 26 points, seven rebounds and three steals against Fresno State.
Alihan Demir, MINN (DK $5,800, FD $5,200)
Demir comes to the Gophers after two years at Drexel, where he started 31 games and averaged 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in his sophomore season. After losing most of the frontcourt to graduation, Demir figures to make an immediate impact for Minnesota. His first game with the team only yielded 10 points and two rebounds, but one should expect those numbers to increase as he begins to gel with his new teammates. He carries some risk on this slate, but you have to like the price.
Darryl Morsell, Maryland (DK $7,100, FD $6,100)
Morsell began the season on the bench despite starting 31 of 33 games for the Terps last season, but he showed up with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists across 23 minutes anyway. It appears Maryland wants to give sophomores Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins more playing time in the early going. That shouldn't concern Morsell owners too much, but Wiggins could emerge to be a threat. He looked great in offseason workouts and stands to be a development project for coach Mark Turgeon.
Game to Target
Oklahoma (-4.5) vs. Minnesota at Sioux Falls, S.D., 8 p.m. EST
I really like this matchup based on the transformed Gophers roster, which showcases a whole host of talent as the result of transfers and freshman additions. The same can be said of the Sooners, who are adding some transfers and freshmen of their own.
Game to Fade
Oregon (-12) vs. Boise State, 11 p.m. EST
Although there are one or two guys I can see myself targeting in this game, the O.U line and hefty spread are enough to limit my overall exposure. The Pac-12 often chooses the Mountain West to pick on in the early part of the year, and the Broncos won't be able to flip the script.
