This article is part of our FanDuel College Basketball series.
FanDuel has rolled out their initial lineups for Thursday's first round of the NCAA Tournament. It includes 14 games, with North Carolina-Florida Gulf Coast/Fairleigh Dickinson and Arizona-Wichita State/Vanderbilt still pending, and seemingly likely to be added to the pool by Wednesday morning.
With so many teams from one-bid leagues to choose from, fantasy players will be seeing a lot of new names, some of which will become famous by the end of the weekend. Many smaller schools feature one or two players who have posted astronomical stats against lesser competition but could struggle as they step up in class. Competitiveness, or lackthereof, will also be important in selecting stars and bargains.
Guards
Jordan McLaughlin, USC vs. PROV ($7,300) - This game feels like a true toss up, and as such, it is one where stacking a few guys who will likely play 30+ minutes seems prudent. McLaughlin has done just that in every game since Jan. 24, and it certainly doesn't hurt that he's the leading scorer (13.4 points per game) for a balanced Trojan offense. He's a solid facilitator (4.7 assists per game) and can hit the glass too (3.7 boards), giving him a safe floor with the potential for much more.
Makai Mason, YB vs. BAYLR ($6,800) – Mason is tied with forward Justin Shears as the Bulldogs' leading scorer at 15.8 points per game, but he is priced $1,500 lower thanks to a lack of peripheral stats. Call this a hunch, but the Bulldogs will need to connect on outside shots to hang with the lengthy Bears. Mason attempts five 3-pointers per game and has taken at least six in his last four. If Mason starts off hot, a 20-point outing wouldn't be surprising, and if he can find his way into a few rebounds and assists, he'll make fantasy managers look smart.
Luke Kennard, DUKE vs. NCWS ($5,800) - The Blue Devils continue to have no options outside of a core six. They also rank 110th in adjusted defense, according to KenPom. Their in-state opponent, UNC-Wilmington, ranks 105th. Kennard has been anything but consistent, scoring zero, 20, 22 and six points in his last four games, respectively, but opportunities should be plentiful in an up-and-down game. That Kennard has three assists in five of his last seven, and at least three boards in four of his last six makes him slightly more than just a shooter, giving him a great chance to outperform his price.
Nick Zeisloft, INDNA vs. CM ($4,500) - Zeisloft's value comes only if Robert Johnson continues to sit due to a high left-ankle sprain. Johnson has missed the last four games due to the injury but was able to participate in pregame warmups during the Big Ten tournament, though his status for Thursday has not been confirmed. In his absence, Zeisloft has played at least 29 minutes in each contest, averaging 10.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per outing. Those obviously aren't earth-shattering numbers, but with this lowest possible price, he's a player who won't hurt your team, so long as Johnson remains sidelined.
Top priced options: Isaiah Whitehead, STNHL vs. GONZ ($10,600); Grayson Allen, DUKE vs. NCWS ($9,900)
Others to consider: Jalen Lindsey, PROV vs. USC ($5,400); Lucas Woodhouse, SBS vs. KTCKY ($5,600); Deyshonee Much, IG vs. IOWST ($6,500); Ja'Quan Newton, MIAMI vs. BBUL ($5,700); Greg Pryor, CM vs. INDNA ($6,300)
Forwards
Isaiah Williams, IG vs. IOWST ($7,200) – This is another tilt that features two defenses with 100+ rankings in KenPom's adjusted measures, making some of the secondary players options for selecting. Williams is the Gaels' leading rebounder at 7.0 boards per game while being one of four players who averages double-digit points per game. He was at his best during the conference tournament, posting at least 17 points and five rebounds in each outing, and he seemingly has a higher floor and ceiling than teammate Aaron Rountree. This game has the highest total on the board at 167, with only Duke/UNCW checking in within 10 points. Having stake in this contest will likely be key to a successful lineup, and Williams give you some skin at a somewhat reduced price.
Ricardo Gathers, BAYLR vs. YB ($6,700) - The Bulldogs have a little beef in their lineup, led by 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward Brandon Sherrod, but they haven't had to contend with the 275 beast that Gathers can be. Consistency has been a major thorn in Gathers' side, with his last five games serving as a microcosm. Gathers has 13 points and nine boards in two straight, but only 16 points and nine rebounds in the prior three games combined. He'll come with risk, but Baylor would be wise to pound Gathers and let him attack the glass if they want to avoid an upset. And in doing so, Gathers could post some of those beastly 31-21 and 17-17 type lines he had back in December and January.
Karachi Edo, FSBUL vs. UTAH ($6,300) – Without Torren Jones in the lineup, Edo has scored at least nine points in all 10 games; four times adding at least five rebounds. At just 6-6, he has added at least two blocks in four straight, and while that height could struggle against a sizable Utes front line, Edo's floor is roughly 17 fantasy points, and his ceiling is 30+, making him a worthwhile option.
Rodney Bullock, PROV vs. USC ($5,800) - If you're not going to pony up for the Friars' top two, Bullock could be a solid tertiary choice. He's the third player in the starting lineup playing more than 30 minutes per game and is second on the team with 6.8 rebounds. He averaged 13.0 points and 8.0 boards in two conference tournament games and gives you a solid low-risk, marginally priced option.
Top priced options: Ben Bentil, PROV vs. USC ($10,200); Georges Niang, IOWST vs. IG ($10,000); Taurean Waller-Prince, BAYLR vs. YB ($8,500)
Others to consider: Alex Poythress, KTCKY vs. SBU ($5,500); Derek Willis, KTCKY vs. SBU ($5,700); Brandon Sherrod, YB vs. BAYLR ($7,300); Isaac Haas, PURDU vs. ART ($4,600)
