College Basketball DFS Picks for Friday, November 7
Nine game highlight DraftKings Friday night main slate, with tips spreading from an early 6:00 pm. EST to 10:00; a solid six hours of action! We're not seeing massive GPPs this early, but there's still a $2,000 first-place prize available in their largest tournament.
It's a relatively high-scoring slate, with only one total under 150 points and three north of 160. Purdue is the wildcard; they've the second-highest implied total at 93.0 points and could feature as many as four high-priced options if Trey Kaufman-Renn ($9,300) suits up. There are likely enough high-end options where you don't have to choose one of the Boilermakers, but that's the choice you'll have to make.
Top Players
Darrion Williams, F, North Carolina State ($9,000)
We heard throughout the offseason that the 'Pack's offense will run through Williams, and opening night didn't disappoint. Williams had 19 points, four rebounds and eight assists in 24 minutes. I'm not sure the assists are sustainable, but I also believe there's room for growth on the glass. UAB is rebuilding, not big, and though it's one game, it's worth mentioning that they played at the 17th-fastest tempo out of the gates.
Flory Bidunga, F, Kansas ($8,400)
The Kansas - UNC game is the marquee matchup Friday and likely draws increased roster percentages as a result. But perhaps we fade hot-shot freshmen Darryn Peterson ($9,700) and Caleb Wilson ($8,800) and explore Bidunga. UNC has the size to contend with him in Henri Veesaar ($8,100), but he has shown a touch reluctant to combat on the blocks, particularly rebounding where he almost defaults into them rather than attacks the glass. Bidunga had a 30.6 percent usage rate in the opener, and averaged 11.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in four January starts last season. Expect an uptick in scoring with similar peripheral production here.
Tyler Cochran, G, Rhode Island ($6,800)
Cochran amassed a huge 35.6 percent usage rate in his Rams' debut, his fifth school in seven years! He's a load in the backcourt at 222 pounds, so while the nine rebounds from his debut isn't a guarantee, he's never averaged fewer than 4.1 throughout his career. With a much closer game anticipated, Cochran should see closer to 30 minutes, boosting potential. I'm personally not in love with the high, high end guards unless you have ample money to go all the way up for Braden Smith ($10,000)
Middle Tier
Darius Adams, G, Maryland ($6,100)
We need to keep an eye on the availability of Myles Rice, which could actually help Adams get better looks. The freshman wing hasn't found his stroke early on, going 3-for-13 in an exhibition and 3-for-9 in the Terps' opener, but the appeal is the volume, which resulted in a 35.3 percent usage rate against Coppin State. He's gotten to the charity stripe 25 times in two outings, so if the shots begin to fall, there's a scoring ceiling we haven't seen to pair with a 3x at worst floor.
Lazar Djokovic, F, VCU ($5,900)
This one doesn't feel as safe or obvious as some of the other names mentioned, but the mid-tier of forward doesn't appear elite and the price is fair enough we can take on a little more risk. The risk comes as we just don't know much about VCU under Phil Martelli, Jr., and they played nine guys double-digit minutes in his debut. That all while being without LSU transfer Tyrell Ward, which won't impact Djokovic rotationally, but if Ward returns, it's still an extra body. Djokovic didn't have prolific at previous stops at Xavier of College of Charleston, but his length gives him rebounding and block potential to pair with occasional scoring with the Rams expected to flirt with 80 points.
Josh Scovens, G, Davidson ($5,700)
Scovens earned a decent 23.25 DKP in his Wildcats' debut, seeing a solid 25.2 percent usage rate in 23 minutes. He was reasonably consistent in two years at Army previously, averaging double-figures and at least four rebounds, and figures to see increased run in another game Friday that's expected to be close. Washington State lost to Idaho in their opener, allowing 83 points and a 39.3 percent 3-point rate, suggesting Scovens should shoot it better than he did in the opener.
Value Plays
Ivan Kharchenkov, F, Arizona ($4,600)
Kharchenkov posted a double-double in his debut, being trusted with 35 minutes in a matchup against defending-champion Florida. That's enough to earn my trust for DFS as a cheap entry into the Wildcats' 97.5 implied total Friday. He wasn't particularly efficient, going just 3-for-9 from the floor, and with the competition reduced here, Arizona could look deeper into it's bench. Conversely, why not keep developing your freshman? Another double-double may not be in the cards, but he doesn't need it to provide a fair return at this price.
Mason Falslev, G, Utah State ($4,200)
This just looks like a complete mis-pricing from DraftKings. Falslev has been a consistent double-digit scorer in his first two seasons, posting at least four boards, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals. Don't be fooled by his season debut where he played just just 16 minutes; the Aggies won 110-54. He posted an incredibly efficient nine point, five rebound, four assist line. Even that works at this reduced price, but there's legitimate 10x upside based on his prior body of work.
Javohn Garcia, G, McNeese State ($4,300)
Though he doesn't have nearly the upside of Falslev, Garcia looks like another mis-priced bargain option for us to exploit. He's averaged double-digits in each of the last two seasons, chipping in decently in other categories. He hoisted 11 shots to open the season and has not averaged less than 8.2 attempts in the previous two campaigns. While McNeese is a relatively hefty underdog, they should still reach 70+ points, and Garcia will be a decent part of that.
