GUARDS WE LIKE

Kendric Davis, MEM (G, 8800) – This should be a fun game, as both teams have tourney aspirations this season. King Kendric was still working through an ankle issue in game 1, but had elite possession rates and played plenty of minutes. He’s one of the best guards in the nation and this one has a healthy over/under, so I’m ok paying up here if you have the salary. DeAndre Williams (F, 7300) will be the secondary scoring option for the Tigers, but if you are looking for a cheaper play, Malcolm Dandridge (F, 3800) started their only game of the year and finished with 19 DK points. He flashed at times last season, so not a bad dart throw.

Brandon Murray, GU (G, 8600) – The former LSU standout has gone 4x/5x in his first two games with the Hoyas at a 28% shot share. He and Spears (G, 7700) are getting a full load of minutes and should dominate the ball, so both are solid GPP options in what could be a close game. Murray should have a little higher floor however with a 30% assist rate and is a better shooter. Former Boston College and Arizona St SG Jay Heath (G, 6500) should make his debut tonight. He shot 43% from 3 and should be low-owned, so some GPP upside as well.

Jordan Wright, VAND (G, 8500) – Here is your classic bet on talent play. Wright (and Vandy) haven’t been good without Scotty Pippen Jr. on the team. Two games, two different starting lineups, and minutes more erratic more than a Ric Flair promo. The test doesn’t get easier with Temple either tonight. Consider Jordan in GPP only, but this could be a game where Wright looks like his slate breaking self from the last two years, as he and Vandy badly need a win.

Sahvir Wheeler, UK (G, 8200) – Wheeler made a flashy return racking up 11 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds against Duquesne. The addition of knockdown shooters Frederick (G, 4900) and Reeves (G, 6800) should open the middle of the court allowing Wheeler to get into the paint and find passing lanes or get to the cup. Cal may lean on Wheeler’s experience over Wallace (G, 7400). All three of the guards are playable at their respective prices, with Frederick being a better GPP play with his ability to get hot from 3 against a familiar opponent. 

Jaelen House, UNM (G, 7900) – I like House and Mashburn (G, 7300) a lot tonight. The Lobos have been playing with pace this year and this game has the highest OU on the slate (151). House has eclipsed 20 points and handed out 7 assists in both games this season. Mashburn can score it too, and provides a slight price break, but I prefer House of the two.

Darrion Trammell, SDSU (G, 6700) – Usually our Aztec content focuses on Matt Bradley only, but it’s a new year and our change adoption game is strong. Trammell is a walking bucket, averaging 19.5 ppg on the season after lighting it up for Seattle the last two years. I do think Bradley (G, 6800) is a bet on talent GPP option tonight, although the fact that he hasn’t hit a jump shot this year (only layups so far) is a bit concerning. Lamont Butler (G, 5200) has blossomed this year as well and he’s a thief defensively who should do well against a Stanford team that isn’t afraid to turn the ball over. Speaking of the Cardinal, if you are looking for Stanford plays, you’ve come to the wrong place Bucketheads!!

Khalif Battle, TEMP (G, 6200) – Damien Dunn (G, 8400) is a terrific all-around player, but for 2200 less you can get the team’s leading scorer. Battle has taken 15 or more shots and 8 or more threes in each game. While not a stat-stuffer (boards, assists, steals) like Dunn, Battle is the bucket getter and has 4x in every game this year.

Gibson Jimerson (G, 6100) – Last time your boys @cbb_dfs were at Chaifetz Arena, we watched Jordaire Jett and Rob Loe give undefeated Wichita St. and Fred Van Fleet/Ron Baker all they could handle. In a related note, we are old AF. As for tonight’s matchup in St. Louis, I really like Yuri Collins (G, 8300) as a player and he’s got top 5 assists rates nationally, but Memphis has the tools to be elite defensively so he’s probably more of a 4x play than a smashburger option Missouri transfer Javon Pickett (G, 6200) has been unreal on the boards through 2 games, but his rebounding rates were never like this previously so could be a small sample size outlier. Francis Okoro (F, 7200) is an elite rebounder, but has a very limited offensive game. That leaves Jimerson and Javonte Perkins (G/F, 6000), who are both 40% 3-point shooters. Vandy took 30 triples against Memphis in game 1, so if Perkins or Jimerson can get hot, they have a chance tonight. Perkins is very shot dependent, while Jimerson just enough ancillary things to give him a slight edge in safety.

Tyler Kolek, MARQ (G, 6000) – Kolek is the engine that makes this Golden Eagle team soar. Averaged 5x in first two games, largely getting it done with rebounds and assists. Purdue will want to slow this game down to allow their big man to get established, so Kolek will be relied upon to make plays. Kam Jones (G, 4500) is another guard option. Poor shooting last game, but he’ll get shots up and they’ll need his scoring.

Gradey Dick, KU (G, 5700) – Obviously Jalen Wilson (F, 10.1k) will lead the way for KU tonight, but with MJ Rice out sick, that should solidify Dick as the seconday scoring option for the Jayhawks. He’s been terrific to date and at this price point, he can definitely hit a 5x+ return on investment. Dajuan Harris Jr. (G, 5300) probably doesn’t have as much upside as Gradey, but with an o/u nearing 150 and fact that Harris will be on the court all game, he’s a solid cash option as well. If you are looking to get weird, Bobby Pettiford Jr. (G, 3900) will likely play 20 minutes off the bench and is averaging over 4x his price point. I also like Kevin McCullar over 3.5 rebounds on DK (+110) as the KU guards will need to crash the boards against Duke’s superior length.

Ty Berry, NW (G, 5300) – The Wildcats lost both their legacy big men to blue bloods in the off-season in Nance (UNC) and Young (Duke). Their backcourt and wings should look familiar however. Berry flashed at times last season but has turned into Northwestern’s most prolific shooter and best rebounder already in this short season. He’s only second in shot share (25%) behind Buie (G, 6900) at a much cheaper price. Georgetown giving up 45% of opponents’ scoring from 3 so Berry is a solid GPP play if he can get cooking. Overall, Wildcats are priced well, so can go with any of the starters in what should be a high-scoring game.

Brandon Newman, PURD (G, 4900) – The Boilermakers are top 40 in bench minutes right now. I do expect their roster to thin out over time, but until then, it’s bad business for DFS. Since the matchup is good and should be a ton of possessions, I’ll look at junior Newman who is getting a 30% shot share right now. The freshman Fletcher Loyer (G, 6300) is enticing (36% shot share), but against the frantic pace of the Golden Eagles, I’d prefer to lean towards experience.

Zhuric Phelps, SMU (G, 4800) – The sophomore saw limited playing time a year ago with Kendric Davis dominating the PG spot, now with Davis in Memphis, Phelps has exploded on to the scene playing 35 minutes in both games and scoring 28 points in the opener. New Mexico will want to push pace in this matchup, a good thing for opposing point guards. I like Phelps in all formats tonight.

Jaden Akins, MSU (G, 3700) – Izzo has been pleased with what he’s seen from his rising sophomore guard. So much so, he publicly promised more playing time starting tonight. Stat-wise, Akins doesn’t have a lot to draw from, but he is leading the team in shot share (35%) and is a plus defender, so a higher minute share could become immediately fruitful from a DFS standpoint.