There’s a small Draftkings slate on Thursday, featuring just four games. All four games involve teams from non-power conferences and those are the games that we here at College Sports Madness like the best. We follow all college basketball, so not having to load up on Kentucky or Michigan State players is right up our alley.
Studs
Geo Baker, G, Rutgers (DK: 8,200, FD: N/A)
Rutgers is the biggest favorite on the slate and that is something we will probably never say again. They will make their season debut at home against a Bryant team that lost to Brown on Tuesday. With seven of their top eight scorers back, Rutgers will not have too many surprises on the court Thursday night. Geo Baker could occasionally disappear in games last year, but the 6-4 junior averaged 12.2 points per game last season. He also ranked second in the Big Ten in steals and fifth in assists. He will look to start off his junior season with another solid performance.
Aamir Simms, F, Clemson (DK: 6,800, FD: N/A)
Aamir Simms has seen his price increase significantly since last game. That is in part because Clemson is playing Presbyterian instead of Virginia Tech and in part because Simms tallied 12 points and 15 rebounds in the loss against the Hokies. Simms should be a monster on the glass against the Blue Hose. Yes, Presbyterian is the Blue Hose. All five starters for Clemson took at least ten shots last game, with scoring in double figures. Coach Brad Brownell will want to see more of his bench this game after they scored a mere five points last time out and that is a big concern for Simms and everybody else on Clemson.
Makhtar Gueye, F, UAB (DK: 7,000, FD: N/A)
Playing both Makhtar Gueye and Zack Bryant (DK: 8,000) is not a bad idea on this slate. UAB will work around those two returning starters and should be able to score quite a few points against a reloading Troy squad. Gueye though is a better value and will be a double-double threat every time he is on the floor. Last year the 6-10 forward averaged 8.3 points and 6.7 rebounds and this year he will be the offensive focus in the frontcourt now that Lewis Sullivan is gone.
CJ Elleby, F, Washington State (DK: 8,800, FD: N/A)
This is a bad Washington State team and they are only favored by two points at home against Seattle, but CJ Elleby is a proven fantasy stud. The 6-6 forward averaged 14.7 points and 7.1 rebounds as a freshman and now he is the leader of this team. If the Cougars are going to win, they will have to rely heavily on Elleby.
Bargains
Ben Drake, F, Presbyterian (DK: 3,500, FD: N/A)
Presbyterian has a lot of rebuilding to do this season and it looks like Ben Drake and Chris Martin (DK: 5,200) are ready to step up around more established contributors Cory Hightower (DK: 6,300) and JC Younger (DK: 5,600). Hightower may be the safer option and likely the team’s top rebounder again this season, but Drake could be a great frontcourt mate for Hightower. Drake was limited with an injury last year and redshirted the season before that, but in the Blue Hose’s exhibition game he went 11-of-14 from the floor for 23 points and collected 11 rebounds. He will not do that against Clemson, but he could do enough to justify playing him for his very low price tag.
Desmond Williams, G, Troy (DK: 3,700, FD: N/A)
If you want some Troy exposure, which is a pretty good idea, and do not want to pay up for the lone returning starter Darian Adams (DK: 6,200), then Desmond Williams could be the place to go. This is a Troy team loaded with newcomers who have to make an impact and looking at a proven prep perimeter scorer like Williams makes sense. The Trojans did not play any exhibition games so it remains to be seen what new Coach Scott Cross has in mind for his team, but Williams brings some expectations with him to Troy and should be one of the freshmen who sees quality minutes.
