This article is part of our DraftKings College Basketball series.
Sundays may be a bit hit-or-miss during the regular season when it comes to the slate of NCAA Basketball games offered, but fortunately for college hoops junkies like myself, an enticing schedule of eight nationally televised, postseason games awaits. There's no better time than Sunday to cap off your weekend by making things interesting with a daily lineup, and DraftKings has you covered with a full offering of contests for beginners and veterans alike.
Your total available salary is $50,000 to build your best squad of eight players, which includes three guards, three forwards and two FLEX. Points are awarded on DraftKings as follows:
Point = +1 point PT
Made 3pt. shot = +0.5 PTs
Rebound = +1.25 PTs
Assist = +1.5 PTs
Double-Double = +1.5 PTs
Triple-Double= +3 PTs
With that out of the way, here are the best available GPP contests for college basketball this Sunday:
$17K Full Court Press ($2,000 first prize), Entry Fee: $27
$15K Triple Threat ($4,000 first prize), Entry Fee: $300
$13K Buzzer Beater ($1,000 first prize), Entry Fee: $3
and many more…
Here's a look at the included games:
Michigan State vs. Virginia
San Diego State vs. Duke
Wichita State vs. Kansas
Dayton vs. Oklahoma
Iowa vs. Gonzaga
Oregon vs. Wisconsin
West Virginia vs. Maryland
Northern Iowa vs. Louisville
As Alex mentioned in Saturday's column, it's all about pace when it comes to selecting the stars you'll use, as well as the role players best suited to fill out your lineup. Saturday's fastest game on paper was Arkansas vs. North Carolina, and that resulted in noteworthy fantasy performances from the likes of Michael Qualls (46.0), Bobby Portis (42.0), J.P. Tokoto (31.25), Marcus Paige (31.0) and Brice Johnson (27.75).
Unfortunately, Sunday doesn't have a true standout game in terms of pace. West Virginia plays quicker than any other team in the field, checking in with 68.4 adjusted offensive possessions per game, according to Kenpom. They'll take on Maryland (64.3) in what is expected to be the fastest game, per Kenpom, with Oklahoma (67.4) vs. Dayton (63.7) next in line. Kansas (67.2), and Oregon (66.8) are the only other teams in action that rank in the top-80 in that metric. Speaking of the Ducks, I'd recommend leaning away from the regular Oregon options against the Badgers' slow-paced, defensively-oriented unit, while also thinking twice about stacking Louisville and Michigan State players, based on the same logic.
In the absence of a clear-cut game to stack, it appears a well-balanced lineup will be the key to cashing in Sunday's contests. Without further ado, here are my picks:
Guards:
Fred VanVleet, Wichita State ($8,200)
The Shockers' second-leading scorer has averaged 32.8 fantasy points per game over his last six contests, including back-to-back 35-plus point outings. His price tag has gone up a bit as a result, but the 6-0 junior should still make a hefty contribution against a Kansas squad that has the third fastest adjusted tempo out of all teams in action Sunday, per Kenpom. Ron Baker ($7700) isn't a bad option either, but I'm riding the hot hand.
Isaiah Cousins, Oklahoma ($6,100)
Cousins had reached double figures in six straight games before Friday's six-point showing in the Sooners' opening game against Albany, when his 14.5 fantasy points represented his lowest total since Feb. 14. This makes the talented junior a perfect buy-low option, as Cousins has drained at least a pair of three-pointers in five straight games, and could get hot from beyond the arc at any moment. The projected pace of the game and his height advantage on the perimeter are also working in Cousins' favor.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Kansas ($5,800)
Oubre has gone cold in his last three contests (11.3 FPPG), but that's resulted in a $500 price reduction since the start of that stretch. This freshman has NBA-level talent, however, shown time and time again by clutch baskets down the stretch and the ability to both tally rebounds and get hot from three-point range. Sunday's contest may be the perfect opportunity for the latter, as the Shockers rank in the bottom third of the nation in three-point field goal defense (35.0 percent).
Wayne Blackshear, Louisville ($5,700)
Blackshear has picked up his scoring following the dismissal of Chris Jones, averaging 23.3 FPPG over the last six games that Jones has been absent for. The 6-5 senior has attempted eight shots from beyond the arc in each of Louisville's last two games, and should be able to pick up his fair share of three-point attempts against Northern Iowa, with potential to add rebounds as well.
Bronson Koenig, Wisconsin ($5,600)
Senior Traevon Jackson (foot) won't return to action until the Sweet 16 (assuming the Badgers advance), so the ship will once again be Koenig's to captain Sunday night. The shots may not have been falling for Koenig in Wisconsin's tournament opener (2-for-6 from beyond the arc), but he'll have plenty more opportunities against an Oregon squad that is the worst remaining in the field in defensive efficiency, per Kenpom. Prior to Friday, the 6-3 sophomore had scored 16.0 PPG (25.6 FPPG) over his last four contests -- his best four-game stretch of the year.
Wayne Selden Jr., Kansas ($5,100)
Selden surrendered minutes to both Devonte Graham ($3700) and Brannen Greene ($3000) in Friday's lopsided victory, and ended up scoring just 10 fantasy points over 20 minutes on the floor. With a slight price reduction following that performance, Selden should return to his usual self against a Wichita State team that struggles to defend the perimeter. The 6-5 sophomore had 31.75 or more fantasy points in back-to-back contests during the Big 12 tournament, and should increase his production in what will likely be a tighter matchup.
Other Options:
Dez Wells, Maryland ($8,200)
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma ($8,100)
Tyus Jones, Duke ($8,000)
Frank Mason III, Kansas ($7,600)
Justin Anderson, Virginia ($5,800)
Scoochie Smith, Dayton ($5,200)
Deon Mitchell, Northern Iowa ($5,100)
Josh Gasser, Wisconsin ($4,700)
Devonte Graham ($3,700)
Forwards:
Dyshawn Pierre, Dayton ($7,900)
Pierre had eclipsed 35 fantasy points in two of his last three games, but his price tag hasn't yet shot up as a result. He has favorable matchup against a fast-paced Oklahoma squad, and although he's only 6-6, the Sooners' starting front line of Ryan Spangler (6-8) and Tashawn Thomas (6-8) shouldn't give him a major matchup problem. The junior has plenty of experience from Dayton's Elite Eight run last season, and could be poised for another big outing.
Branden Dawson, Michigan State ($7,500)
It's typically unwise to use players against top defensive teams such Virginia (Dawson's Saturday opponent), but the Spartans' forward challenged that notion with a 26.25 fantasy point performance against Wisconsin in the Big 10 championship game. The Cavaliers have the second most efficient defensive unit in the nation, according to Kenpom, but Dawson has averaged 27.7 FPPG over his last four games. Somehow (likely matchup-based), he's $300 cheaper now than when that stretch started.
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin ($6,800)
Oregon will try to pick up the pace of this game, which likely means more shots and rebounding opportunities for the Badger big men. If you're not quite ready to shell out 20.4 percent of your budget for Frank Kaminsky ($10,200), Dekker, who's averaged 25.5 FPPG over his last six contests, is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Nigel Hayes ($7500) is another quality option.
JJ O'Brien, San Diego State ($5,900)
The Aztecs will be taking on Wooden Award candidate Jahlil Okafor and the Duke Blue Devils, who are the sixth-worst team remaining in the tournament field in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to Kenpom. O'Brien has averaged 22.8 FPPG over his last six games, and a few extra possessions against a team that's not as great defensively as many think could help him outperform that.
Jake Layman, Maryland ($5,200)
Layman was a trendy value play in Friday's opening round matchup against Valparaiso, but foul trouble limited him to just 11.5 fantasy points, effectively dropping his price tag a few hundred dollars for the round of 32. As previously mentioned, Maryland will take on the fastest-paced team in action Sunday, so more field goal attempts and opportunities to crash the glass will be on the horizon. The last time he took the court against a team in the realm of West Virginia's pace (Indiana), Layman put up a cool 24.25 fantasy points.
Landon Lucas, Kansas ($4,700)
Over the seven games that freshman Cliff Alexander has missed due to potential academic issues, Lucas has been one of the key factors keeping the Jayhawks afloat. During that span, Lucas has been crashing to boards, averaging 7.0 RPG. Standing at 6-10, the sophomore should be able to continue this pace, as he has a three-inch height advantage over any of the Shockers' starters. Lucas' floor will be living up to his price tag, while there's potential for a 30-plus point ceiling.
Others to consider:
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin ($10,200)
Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga ($9,100)
Seth Tuttle, Northern Iowa ($8,400)
Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin ($7,500)
Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa ($7,000)
Tashawn Thomas, Oklahoma ($6,800)
Ryan Spangler, Oklahoma ($6,500)
Winston Shepard, San Diego State ($6,100)
Jonathan Holton, West Virginia ($4,800)
