This article is part of our DraftKings College Basketball series.
The pinnacle of daily college basketball is finally here -- March Madness. The tournaments get significantly larger with all the extra fish in the water, and unique contests, such as the $200K Cinderella Survivor, are now in play. Having a solid grasp on the entire player pool, especially the mid-majors, can help both novice and experienced players set themselves apart from the competition.
Note: Due to Tuesday/Wednesday slates, these games will not show up in our DFS Lineup Optimizer until late Wednesday/early Thursday.
Included Games
UNC-Wilmington vs. Duke
Butler vs. Texas Tech
Connecticut vs. Colorado
Iona vs. Iowa State
Yale vs. Baylor
Hampton vs. Virginia
Kansas vs. Austin Peay
Arkansas-Little Rock vs. Purdue
Buffalo vs. Miami
Chattanooga vs. Indiana
Fresno State vs. Utah
Stony Brook vs. Kentucky
Providence vs. USC
Gonazaga vs. Seton Hall
Guards:
A.J. English, IONA v. ISU ($10,800): English is the highest-priced player on the slate for a reason -- he is simply lights out. He's scored at least 40 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games, including three 50-point performances. In the opening round, the senior will draw an up-tempo game against Iowa State, a team that struggles defensively, especially on the perimeter.
Monte Morris, ISU v. IONA ($8,900): Morris is as safe of a play in cash games as they come, as the Cyclones' point guard will almost certainly play all 40 minutes, and owns a 20-point floor with 40-point ceiling. He's cooled off a bit lately, so some prospective owners may back off, leaving a situation to take advantage of.
Isaiah Whitehead, SHU v. GONZ ($8,800): It will be a slightly down-tempo game for the sophomore guard, but prospective fantasy owners cannot ignore the fact that Whitehead has averaged 45.5 fantasy points per game over his last five. He contributes in all five categories, and takes 31.4 percent of the team's shots -- a sure-fire recipe for success.
Angel Rodriguez/Sheldon McClellan, MIA v. BUF ($7,200/$7,000): All Miami players are in play, as they are facing a Buffalo squad that is the second-fastest pace team in the entire field, per KenPom's adjusted tempo rankings. McClellan is a bit more consistent, so I'd stick to him in cash games, while Rodriguez offers 40-point upside for tournaments. The only true threat to their performance would be Miami running away with this game and resting some players. Davon Reed ($5,300) should be another strong value play, as he's played at least 30 minutes in five of the last six games.
Dee Oldham, CHAT v. IU ($4,500): Oldham should provide fantasy owners with a reasonable floor in cash games, as he's scored at least 20 fantasy points in his last five contests. The senior finds himself in an up-tempo (and winnable) matchup against the fifth-seeded Indiana Hoosiers, and with 10 field-goal attempts in two of the last three games, he delivers noteworthy upside as well.
Jared Savage, APSU v. KU ($4,100): Even though he's facing a tough matchup against a stout Kansas defense, Savage is criminally underpriced and will see high ownership because of it. Since moving into the starting lineup on Feb. 24, the freshman has averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 32.2 minutes per game over the last six, capping it off with 41.25 fantasy points March 5 against Tennessee-Martin. A major blowout could threaten his minutes, but he should see at least three-quarters of the game before taking a seat.
Other Guards: Kris Dunn, PROV v. USC ($10,200); Tyler Ulis, UK v. SBU ($9,800); Brandon Ingram, DUKE v. NC-WI ($9,400); Jamal Murray, UK v. SBU ($8,800); Chris Flemmings, NC-WI v. DUKE ($7,600); Josh Robinson, APSU v. KU ($5,800), Deyshonee Much, IONA v. ISU ($5,800); Kyle Dranginis, GONZ v. SHU ($4,800); Jalen Lindsey, PROV v. USC ($4,200)
Forwards:
Ben Bentil, PROV v. USC ($9,800): Kris Dunn may have a tough time hitting value with his $10,200 price, so I'm rolling with Bentil here. Take out the Friars' Big East tournament exit at the hands of Villanova, and Bentil has averaged 50-plus fantasy points over his last five games (29.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game). The sophomore is quite possibly the most improved player in the country and could be poised to open up some eyes on the national stage. Jameel Warney of Stony Brook is the highest priced forward of the day, but I think Bentil has a better chance to hit value with Warney squaring off against a formidable Kentucky squad.
Jameel McKay, ISU v. IONA ($7,500): McKay and the Cyclones face the fifth-fastest team in the field, per KenPom, leaving the big man with plenty of opportunities for rebounds and put backs. Priced at $2,500 less than his counterpart, Georges Niang, he should be able to overpower an Iona squad that is 197th in the country in average height.
Rico Gathers, BU v. YALE ($7,300): Yale doesn't trot out a single starter over 6-8, and while that's how tall Gathers is, his 275-pound frame should allow the future NFL tight end to feast on the boards. Gathers has 9.1 rebounds per game this season, third-best in the Big 12, and he should be a safe bet to exceed that as long as he stays out of foul trouble and the game stays relatively close. For the same reasons as Gathers, 6-9 Johnathan Motley ($6,400) could be another strong play.
Jordan Washington, IONA v. ISU ($6,200): Even though he has to share the ball with A.J. English, Washington still sports a 36.8 percent shot rate (per KenPom) which is the best among all tournament players. He surpassed 40 fantasy points against Monmouth in the MAAC championship game, and as long as he avoids foul trouble, he should be a lock for at least 25 fantasy points.
Roger Woods, ARK-L v. PUR ($4,900): Even though he's matched up against one of the toughest frontcourts in the nation, Woods is in play due to his consistency. The senior isn't a bad cash-game play, as he's reached 20 fantasy points in nine of his last 11 games. Though a stretch, he could even be serviceable in tournaments, scoring 38.25 and 42.00 fantasy points within his most recent four-game run. Purdue center A.J. Hammons will likely match up with 6-11 Lis Shoshi, leaving the 6-5 Woods up against either Caleb Swanigan (6-9) or Vince Edwards (6-8). Not ideal, but not impossible either.
C.J. Gettys, NC-WI v. DUKE ($4,000): If desperate for value, Gettys is one potential option to help. He's the Seahawks' second-leading rebounder, and though his minutes have been a bit inconsistent, his 7-0 frame should match up well with Marshall Plumlee and Brandon Ingram down low. Duke has had notable struggles on the glass this year, and even though they're heavy favorites, 8-to-10 boards for Gettys is not out of the question. If in need of a safer option to take advantage of this matchup, try leading rebounder Chris Flemmings ($7,600) in a guard spot.
Other Forwards: Georges Niang, ISU v. IONA ($10,000); Jakob Poeltl, UTAH v. FRES ($9,200); Domantas Sabonis, GONZ v. SHU ($9,100), Chris Horton, APSU v. KU ($9,100); Kyle Wiltjer, GONZ v. SHU ($8,500); Tre' McLean, CHAT v. IU ($7,000); Brandon Sherrod, YALE v. BU ($6,000); Cullen Russo, FRES v. UTAH ($5,400); Rayshaun McGrew, SBU v. UK ($5,200); Justin Gray, TT v. BUT ($4,900)
