Coming off his second four-block game of the year, is Kansas' Udoka Azubuike someone to target on tonight's four-game slate?
Now that you're in the know, we can attack today's main slate, which locks at 7:00 p.m. EST and consists of four games. Unfortunately, we don't get Duke/Gonzaga as they tip at 5:00 out in Maui. However, we do Kansas facing off against Marquette in the NIT Season Tip-Off.
Marcquise Reed, Clemson ($7,900): Over on FanDuel Sportsbook, the Clemson Tigers are four-point favorites over the Creighton Bluejays, in a game with a 144 over/under. Their 74-point implied total checks in third of the eight teams on the slate, giving them as much appeal as any team outside of the Jayhawks. At the top, Reed is a guy who should probably be over the $8,000 threshold, as he's averaging 32.7 FanDuel points on averages of 18.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals a game. His 13.4 field goal attempts and 29.0% usage rate lead the team, and he's fresh off a 40.3-FanDuel-point performance after hitting 9-of-19 shots for 24 points his last time out.
Quinndary Weatherspoon, Mississippi State ($7,700): Mississippi State guard Quinndary Weatherspoon is another high-scoring stud to target. The senior guard has three 20-point games, all of which resulted in 30-plus FanDuel-point outings, through just four games this season. On Monday, he struggled with his shot, going 5-for-17 with just 12 points and 21.8 FanDuel points against Arizona State. Tonight's opponent, Saint Mary's, is a whole 50 spots lower in KenPom.com's defensive efficiency ranks, so look for Weatherspoon to bounce back with his team implied for more than 70 points (71.5) in this one.
Wynston Tabbs, Boston College ($5,700): Values are thin across the board, but especially at the guard spot. If anyone is an obvious source of salary relief, though, it's Boston College's Wynston Tabbs. Prior to be limited by foul trouble in his last game, the freshman scored at least 15 points with no fewer than 20.6 FanDuel points in his first three games of the year. He's third on the team with 9.0 shot attempts per game, which come on the third-highest usage rate (21.6%). He doesn't do a ton in the way of peripherals -- 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game -- but it's enough to make a nice floor alongside his scoring potential. Loyola-Chicago is 284th in adjusted tempo, so the chances of him helping you to a tourney win aren't likely, thereby limiting him to cash games due to the matchup.
Devon Dotson, Kansas ($5,000): It probably goes without saying, but we want a good chunk of exposure to the Jayhawks and their slate-high 83.25 implied total. That number is 8.5 points clear of the next-closest team -- their opponent, Marquette -- and their game's big over/under (158.0) is the only one above 145. Kansas plays at the nation's 32nd-fastest pace, which creates opportunities for guys like Dotson. The 6'2" freshman is averaging just 27.0 minutes and 17.7 FanDuel points a game, but he has started all three for coach Bill Self, and his 1.7 steals sure help to boost an otherwise okay 9.0 points per game.
Udoka Azubuike, Kansas ($8,300): Now, to go with the low-priced KU play we roll with Azubuike, the second-highest priced forward on the slate. He trails only teammate Dedric Lawson ($8,400), who is also in play every night, and there's $500 between him and the third-highest option at the position. Lawson is probably the preferred guy for cash, but Azubuike has serious upside for tournaments, barring foul trouble. Over a career-high 25.7 minutes a game, the seven-footer is averaging 19.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks (33.1 FanDuel points all total). He has four blocks in two of three games, and his 30.1% usage leads all Jayhawks.
Aric Holman, Mississippi State ($7,800): Holman is that top-priced mid-range guy you can either fit in alongside Azubuike or pivot to if you pay up more at guard. He has three games of 31 or more FanDuel points this year, including 40.5 in a double-double showing against Arizona State. At 6'10", he's versatile enough to pop out and hit 1.3 threes a game while also contributing 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.3 steals to go with his 13.5 points. Saint Mary's is 266th in rebounds, giving Holman a good chance at reaching double-digit boards for a second straight game.
Joey Hauser, Marquette ($5,900): If you're banking on Marquette keeping it close, at or around the 8.5-point spread, Hauser's going to have to play a big role in that. The freshman forward will have to deal with KenPom's fourth-ranked defense, but his 7.8 field goal attempts are third on the team as he's used 20.5% of his team's offensive possessions while on the floor. He also has a respectable 20.4% assist rate and 12.2.% rebounding rate, which give him about a 20-point floor heading into the night. He should also benefit from playing up in pace against the Jayhawks.
Aher Uguak, Loyola-Chicago ($4,200): As meh as the value plays at guard are, this one's interesting because of its moderate-risk/high-reward nature. Uguak, a sophomore transfer from New Mexico, is averaging 6.8 points in 25.0 minutes per game. However, his role has been much greater than that, as the 6'7" wing has started in each game and logged 23 or more minutes in the 4 games prior to last, when he was held to 10. In those four, he played an average of 28.8 minutes, maxing out at 32 in a 22.3-FanDuel-point performance. At $4,200, all he really needs is 16.8 FanDuel points for four-times value. But even if he comes up a little short, this is a way to fit in guys with the potential for 30- or 40-point nights.