College Basketball Pick'em Today: PrizePicks Plays for Tuesday, March 18

College Basketball Pick'em Today: PrizePicks Plays for Tuesday, March 18

This article is part of our DFS College Basketball series.

Heading into Tuesday, we have a pair of First Four games available for selection. In addition, don't forget to take advantage of the special offer over 'More' than 0.5 Points for Auburn's Johni Broome on Thursday. Where we normally would pick three players, including Broome can help you double up. Take advantage of the gift, as we ramp up for the remainder of the NCAA Tournament.

If you're unfamiliar with how to play, you must simply choose at least two players from any sport and pick more or less based on their projected statistics to win. We'll obviously be exclusively selecting college hoops players, but you can mix and match from various other sports. You can also go with a flex play, meaning you still can have a winning night even if you have one losing selection. Or, you can go big and choose the power play, which pays out higher. However, you must hit all ends to win. Let's get started.

Getting ready for March Madness? For the latest in the projected field of 68 for 2025 NCAA Tournament, head to the RotoWire Bracketology page.

Juan Cranford Jr., G, St. Francis (Pa.)

Cranford really wanted to make the NCAA Tournament, as he instrumental in helping the Red Flash to a stunning Northeast Conference Tournament championship.

Cranford averaged 9.5 points per game (PPG) with 4.3 rebounds (RPG) and 2.0 assists (APG) per game in the regular season, ranking fourth on the team. However, in the NEC Tournament, he led the team with 15.0 PPG in three games, while hitting 45.7 percent from the field, and 38.9 percent from behind the 3-point line. He was one of just two Red Flash players to rank in double digits in points.

Cranford, who is a true freshman and native of Dayton, where this game is being played, will face an Alabama State defense which allows 72.3 points per game to rank 195th in the nation, with a 43.5 percent (159th) defensive field-goal percentage and 33.1 percent (152nd) defensive 3-pointer percentage.

CBB PrizePicks Selection: Juan Cranford Jr., Over 11.5 Points

CJ Hines, G, Alabama State

In the same First Four game, the Hornets of Alabama State rely upon Hines as the primary scorer. In the regular season, Hines managed 14.0 PPG, while shooting 43.1 percent from the field, and 38.9 percent from behind the arc across 34 games. 

Hines was second on the team in scoring behind Amarr Knox (14.3 PPG), but the latter was much less efficient, hitting 39.5 percent from the field, and just 31.1 percent from the third level.

Against the Red Flash, Hines looks to continue his sharp postseason performance. He averaged a team-best 16.7 PPG in the SWAC Tournament, while Knox disappeared with 7.0 PPG. Hines posted 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-6 from behind the 3-point line, against Jackson State in the SWAC title game. He should be able to take advantage of a SFPA team which allows 73.2 PPG (220th) and 43.9 percent (190th) from the field.

CBB PrizePicks Selection: CJ Hines, Over 14 Points

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Nick Boyd, G, San Diego State

In 2023, Boyd was with Michigan head coach Dusty May on that magical Final Four run by the FAU Owls. Now, he is appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season, and first as a member of the Aztecs.

Boyd will get a crack against a North Carolina defense which was gouged for 76.1 PPG (298th) in the nation, one of the worst defensive marks among all NCAA Tournament teams. It allows 43.7 percent (173rd) in defensive field-goal percentage and 34.6 percent (258th) in defensive 3-pointer percentage.

 In that Final Four run, Boyd averaged 8.2 PPG in five NCAA Tournament games, while going for just three points in an OT loss to Northwestern in a one-and-done for FAU in the big dance last season. So, why back Boyd? He has 18 or more points in three straight outings, and he has scored 15 or more points in eight of the past nine outings. Against UNC's leaky defense, he should have his best career NCAA Tournament game yet.

CBB PrizePicks Selection: Nick Boyd, Over 15.5 Points

Tuesday's College Basketball PrizePicks Picks

Here's a recap of my best college basketball selections for Tuesday:

For additional recommendations for PrizePicks and other similar sites, check out our College Basketball Picks page.

For more fantasy college hoops content, be sure to check out features like our college basketball injury report, college basketball depth charts and latest college basketball news.

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.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daniel Dobish
Hockey writer, handicapper, unskilled fourth liner, 25-year fantasy sports and gambling industry veteran, FSWA's 2024 Player Notes Writer of the Year, and five-time FSWA award winner. Twitter: @danieledobish
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