Saturday night brings us a four-game slate with a Big Ten feel to it. Purdue, Minnesota and Maryland are all in action, with the Boilermakers and Golden Gophers taking on Big 12 rivals Texas and Oklahoma, respectively. All eight teams are playing their second game of the season and that makes it a bit easier to see what all of the coaches have in mind when it comes to player rotation.
Studs
Jahaad Proctor, G, Purdue (DK: 6,900, FD: 7,900)
Jahaad Proctor wasted little time taking his place as Carsen Edwards’ replacement. The graduate transfer from High Point will likely share the scoring load more than Edwards did last season, but in game one he easily led the Boilermakers with 26 points and also added five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Purdue will have a tougher test against Texas, but it is a home game and Proctor will again be the main offensive force.
Marcus Carr, G, Minnesota (DK: 7,300, FD: 7,200)
Marcus Carr had an impressive debut for the Golden Gophers, tallying 18 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. The 6-2 sophomore transfer from Pitt is not going to keep up that pace, but he should be more efficient once he gets a few more games under his belt. For now, Carr will have to face off against much tougher competition as Minnesota faces off against Oklahoma in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This should be a relatively high scoring game and Carr has already shown that he can get some fantasy points even if his shot is not falling.
Austin Reaves, G, Oklahoma (DK: 7,100, FD: 7,700)
The star guard that Marcus Carr will face up against is Austin Reaves. The Oklahoma junior guard tallied 23 points against Texas-San Antonio the other day and added six rebounds, three assists and one steal. Reaves never really found his outside shot in that game, just going 1-of-8 from long range. With this contest in the same arena, Reaves may continue to struggle with his shot, but he obviously has the green light to keep hoisting up plenty of long balls.
Payton Pritchard, G, Oregon (DK: 7,900, FD: 8,600)
We highlighted Payton Pritchard the other day and he did not disappoint, tallying 24 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals against Fresno State. Against Boise State on Saturday night, Pritchard will be looking to put up similar numbers. The Ducks will look to Chris Duarte (DK: 6,300, FD: 7,100) as well, but Pritchard is still the leader of this team and will take the big shots. The Broncos are a little bit better of a team than Mountain West foe Fresno State, so this could turn into a somewhat close affair where Pritchard will need to make some big plays.
Bargains
Andrew Jones, G, Texas (DK: 4,700, FD: 5,800)
Andrew Jones returned from cancer treatment and scored a career high 20 points against Northern Colorado. Despite coming in off the bench, the guard tallied 29 minutes in a blowout victory. The contest in West Lafayette against Purdue will be a much closer game and Jones is pretty dependent on his shot falling, but at this price he is worth the chance. And there is not a player in the country who deserves to be cheered for as much as Jones.
Shakur Juiston, F, Oregon (DK: 5,700, FD: 5,700)
Shakur Juiston did not make much of an impact in his Oregon debut. He tallied just five points and six rebounds in 26 minutes of action against Fresno State. Juiston is a beast on the glass on though and will find his place on this team. What makes this a potential breakout game though is the complete lack of depth Boise State has in the frontcourt. The Ducks should be able to dominate on the glass and that is where Juiston is at his best. Fellow Ducks forward Francis Okoro (DK: 6,100, FD: 5,700) should be productive too after tallying a double-double against the Bulldogs.
Avoid
Cyril Langevine, F, Rhode Island (DK: 7,000, FD: 7,800)
I like this Rhode Island team. They have a ton of experience and that is extremely important in an early season road game. Do not be surprised if the Rams push Maryland in College Park, but do not expect Langevine to repeat his 16 point, 15 rebound performance that he had against Long Island. The Terrapins frontcourt will likely be able to contain Langevine and force the Rams to rely heavily on their perimeter players.
