DFS College Basketball: Monday Preview

DFS College Basketball: Monday Preview

This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.

DraftKings is running a five-game DFS slate Monday in which four of the matchups have single-digit point spreads while half of the teams are expected to top 70 points. The contests on the platform are highlighted by the $10K Heating Up contest, which pays out $2,000 to the winner. Without many significant injuries on the slate, there are plenty of players who have been hot recently who will attempt to remain productive Monday. As always, the expected scores and point spreads from RotoWire's Daily Matchups feature are included below:

Top Players

Hunter Maldonado, G/F, Wyoming ($8,700 DK)

Wyoming and Colorado State are expected to engage in the most competitive matchup on Monday's slate, and it's also the only game in which both teams have an expected total above 70 points. As a result, there should be plenty of opportunities for Maldonado, who has been one of Wyoming's top contributors this season. The fifth-year senior has played at least 34 minutes in each of the last 10 games and has scored in double figures in each of those contests while posting three double-doubles across that span. He dropped a season-high 31 points during Friday's loss to Air Force and has now posted at least 42.0 fantasy points in DraftKings in three of the last four games.

Paolo Banchero, F, Duke ($9,000 DK, $8,500 FD) 

Sticking with another high-octane program, Duke has the second-highest expected total on Monday's slate, and the matchup against Notre Dame is expected to be relatively competitive. Banchero has been one of the Blue Devils' top contributors throughout the year, but he's been especially productive recently with three double-doubles in his last four appearances. Although the freshman has been held under 20 points in each of the last three games, his production on the boards and in assists has given him a solid fantasy floor. If Banchero can improve his scoring against Notre Dame, a program with lackluster defense against field-goal attempts, he has plenty of fantasy potential in spite of his lofty salary.

Middle Tier

Joe Toussaint, G, Iowa ($4,800 DK, $5,000 FD)

Toussaint's scoring output has been limited by a lackluster shot volume for most of the season, as he hasn't scored in double figures in over two months. However, the junior has been a well-rounded contributor on both sides of the ball and has had strong fantasy production in spite of his lack of results on the scoreboard. At his current salary, he would have provided at least 3.92x value in each of the last four games, and he's topped 20.0 fantasy points on DraftKings in three of those appearances. Toussaint hasn't been Iowa's top contributor this season but has the potential to provide mid-tier fantasy value on Monday's slate.

A.J. Griffin, G/F, Duke ($4,700 DK, $5,200 FD)

Duke's high expected total Monday should allow several players to have fantasy-relevant roles, and Griffin has shown upside since joining the starting lineup Jan. 12. Across that span, the freshman has averaged 12.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per contest. He's scored in double figures in three of his six appearances as a starter and matched his highest scoring total of the season (22 points) in Saturday's win over Louisville. While Griffin has shown less consistency than some of his teammates, he's posted at least 28.5 fantasy points on DraftKings in each of the three starts in which he's scored in double figures, and he has plenty of potential at his current salary.

Value Plays

Myles Dread, G/F, Penn State ($3,400 DK, $4,200 FD)

Dread has returned to a bench role in each of the last two games, but he's been more productive than he was during his two recent appearances as a starter. The Nittany Lions have been held under 60 points in each of the last two games, both blowout losses. However, Dread posted nine points in each of those contests despite shooting just 37.5 percent from the floor across that span. The senior has continued to see plenty of playing time off the bench, and he has the opportunity to provide strong value at his low DFS salary.

Jacob Groves, F, Oklahoma ($3,100 DK, $4,000 FD)

Unlike Dread, Groves struggled to generate much DFS production while coming off the bench, but he's taken Elijah Harkless' place in the starting lineup during each of the last two games. The transfer from Eastern Washington has played at least 25 minutes in each of those matchups and averaged 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds across that span. As a result, he would've provided at least 4.13x value in each start at his current salary. Assuming Groves continues to start over Harkless, who appears to be healthy, the former should continue to provide value at his near-minimal salary.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jason Shebilske plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: FavreFanatic, FanDuel: Favre_Fanatic.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Shebilske
Jason joined RotoWire in 2019. In 2023, he was named the FSWA Player Notes Writer of the Year. In addition to RotoWire, Jason writes for the Sports Broadcast Journal. In 2024, he was dubbed "The Polish Parlay" for his WNBA hot betting streak.
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