And so it begins. Sure, these are just the play-in games, but DraftKings added two NIT first round matchups as well to fill this up to a six-game slate. Look, if the NCAA doesn't want them called play-in games, don't set them up as such! Just saying..... Anyway, all of the play-in games are on the same day this year, starting just after 5pm Eastern. We have a few teams that were never involved in a DraftKings slate, so it could make it a little more difficult to navigate. Hopefully I can help.
SMU-Boise State has the highest total on the slate at 144.5 points. Drake-Wichita State, former Missouri Valley foes, are the only other above 140. The two lowest are the games pitting the 16 seeds against each other. Overall, the implied totals of the games are close and so are the spreads. Appalachian State is the only team favored by more than two points. That's great for DFS! All six games are firmly in play here.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy college basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/18/21. I’ll be providing multiple player suggestions for players at guard and forward, aiming to highlight one option apiece at the high, middle, and lower end of the salary scale. Good luck, RotoBallers.
Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 10% off using code BALLER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!
DraftKings CBB DFS Guards
Kendric Davis, SMU ($9,900)
The Mustangs hadn't played a game in over a month when the AAC tournament started last week and they still almost pulled the upset of Cincinnati. The most important takeaway of that game for me was the fact that Davis picked up right where he left off. When play for the Mustangs was suspended on February 8, Davis was riding back-to-back games of 44 DraftKings points. He put up 51 in the AAC tournament against Cincinnati. Davis didn't appear rusty at all. If anything, he looked well-rested. That's bad news for Boise.
Damian Chong Qui, Mount Saint Mary's ($8,000)
Chong Qui is the veteran leader of this team. He has played every minute of the team's last five games. Two of those went to overtime. The volume of minutes is enough to get me interested, but the stats back it up. Chong Qui has only been under 30 DraftKings points once since January 15. Even if his shot isn't falling, he is by far the team's leader in assists and average a career high in rebounds this year as well. Chong Qui has an excellent floor. The ceiling isn't as high as that of Davis since this game will likely play slower, but the peripheral stats add up quickly. If you need the savings, Chong Qui is an excellent plan B.
Adrian Delph, Appalachian State ($6,400)
The Mountaineers are carried by good guard play as you can see from the also consider plays below. However, Delph has been just as good as Almonacy and Justin Forrest and is a fraction of the price. Almonacy has the higher ceiling, but has scored in double figures in every game over the last month. It's not a fluke. He's also crashing the boards harder of late. Delph helped carry the team through the Sun Belt Tournament after a disappointing 7-8 start. It's safe to say that Appalachian State is playing their best basketball of the year at the right time. They will be well represented in my lineups.
Joseph Yesufu, Drake ($5,200)
For as good as Wichita State has been at times this year, they have struggled with surrendering fantasy points to guards. Yesufu has played all but one minute of the Bulldogs' last five games combined. Loyola-Chicago, an eight seed in this year's tournament, is the only team to hold Yesufu under 25 DraftKings points in the last five weeks. I tend to think Wichita State wont be able to either, making Yesufu a great per-dollar value play.
Also consider: Devante Carter ($8,800); Justin Forrest, Appalachian State ($7,200); Joe Bryant, Norfolk State ($6,100); Rayj Dennis, Boise State ($4,700)
Want some NBA DFS tools and content? If you like what you see here, don't forget to sign up for your RotoBaller NBA Premium Pass. Use code MARTENY and receive 10% off your purchase! You'll love the articles from myself and others, our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Optimizer and Premium Slack Chatrooms to help you out in real-time.
DraftKings CBB DFS Forwards
Aaron Henry, Michigan State ($8,700)
Henry reminds me a lot of another Michigan State product: Draymond Green. Henry is a sheet stuffer. He's active on the defensive end and a good rebounder. He's a good scorer too and by far the most consistent piece on this Spartans team. Rutgers was the only team to hold Henry to single digits aside from the opening game of the season against Eastern Michigan. Oh, and Henry is from Indianapolis. What's better than getting to play an entire NCAA tournament in your home city?
Nana Opoku, Mount Saint Mary's ($7,500)
Opoku had eight blocks in two games in the Northeastern Conference tournament. He has 12 blocks in the last four games. That racks up DFS points in a hurry. Add into that the fact that Opoku has scored in double digits in every game since February 1. He has a high floor and should pick up a few blocks against an undersized Texas Southern team.
Darnell Brodie, Drake ($5,900)
Brodie has taken off since joining the starting lineup. In the four games since he joined the starters, Brodie is averaging 27.8 DraftKings points per game. He has done it with points. He has done it with rebounds. Brodie has double digits of one or the other in each of those games, but never both in the same game. If he puts that together for a double-double, look out. Brodie could be an outstanding value for this price.
Kashaun Hicks, Norfolk State ($4,900)
This is only Norfolk State's second tournament berth in school history. The first one was one to remember. I remember it well. I was in an arena full of Missouri fans that watched the Tigers get ousted by the 14 seed Spartans in 2012. Kyle O'Quinn was the star of that team. Does Norfolk State have one of those this year? Devante Carter could be that guy, but Hicks was his Robin in the MEAC tournament. Hicks put up 51 DraftKings points in those two games at a very reasonable price.
Also consider: Donovan Gregory, Appalachian State ($7,500); Luka Brajkovic, Davidson ($6,200); Justin Hopkins, Texas Southern ($5,600); Emmanuel Akot, Boise State ($4,800)