This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.
After a quiet last few days in College Basketball, things are starting to ramp up with four top-25 teams in action today. DraftKings' original seven game slate is now down to five after a pair of cancellations due to COVID-19, and they feature the $10 Big Jam contest with $2,000 to first and a 5 p.m. EST start time.
Top Players
Chet Holmgren, F, Gonzaga ($9,700 DK)
I don't normally write about the most expensive options, as they can be chalky and obvious, but I like paying up for the most expensive player on tonight's slate in Holmgren. North Alabama gave up 37 fantasy points to Auburn's 7-1 center Walker Kessler two weeks ago in only 23 minutes, so this should be a great matchup for him even in what is likely to be a blowout. In Gonzaga's last two recent uncontested games, Holmgren scored at least 39 fantasy points in both.
Femi Odukale, G, Pittsburgh ($7,100 DK)
Odukale is coming off his best game of the season in which he tied a career-high with 28 points, and another good matchup is on tap against Notre Dame, who has traditionally been a subpar defensive team under Mike Brey. Odukale is a great fantasy option with his likelihood of playing 35+ minutes while being active across the stat sheet as a high-volume scorer and passer.
Middle Tier
Fatts Russell, G, Maryland ($6,600 DK)
Russell has lived up to this salary expectation is five of his last six games, making him a safe mid-range option tonight. Although his efficiency has never been the most impressive, that shouldn't be much of a concern against a 1-9 Lehigh team that is giving up 72.9 ppg. Russell has had a 20+ percent usage rate in every game thus far and this should be a good spot for him to score 15+ with several assists.
Kendal Coleman, F, Northwestern St. ($5,900 DK)
Coleman ranks sixth of those playing tonight in shot rate, accounting for a whopping 28.2 percent of Northwestern State's shots when he's on the court. He's also been incredibly active on the glass with four consecutive double-doubles. Even though it's a difficult matchup against top-ranked Baylor, it shouldn't be a shock to Coleman as they've played a tough schedule to start the year. He posted 30+ fantasy points against both LSU and Texas A&M as well.
Values
Daniel Ortiz, G, North Alabama ($5,000 DK)
Ortiz' 1.09 fantasy points per minute ranks second among those on tonight's slate behind only Holmgren. The freshman's minutes have been a bit sporadic -- he played 26 minutes two weeks ago against Auburn but followed it up with just 12 against UCF. However, he's been the clear go-to-guy when on the floor with a 27.7 usage rate and should be able to out-perform his salary with a reasonable shooting night.
Reed Fenton, G, Lehigh ($3,200 DK)
Fenton entered the starting lineup in late November for Lehigh and over his four games as a starter he's averaging 10.8 points and three rebounds over 26.8 minutes per game -- not bad for someone with essentially a minimum salary. Even against a Maryland squad that is sound defensively, Fenton should be priced at least $1k higher and gives you the flexibility to pay up for Holmgren.
