College Basketball DFS Playbook December 19: Top DraftKings & FanDuel CBB DFS Picks

Welcome back to another evening of college hoops as we build CBB DFS lineups! The Tuesday night college basketball slate includes a few marquee matchups like Florida vs Michigan, Virginia vs Memphis, and Marquette vs Providence. The FanDuel slate is just a 3-gamer with those matchups, but DraftKings has an 8-game slate starting at 6:30 pm ET with other teams like Indiana, Ole Miss, Butler, and South Carolina in action. With these different slates, CBB DFS lineup strategy will be different depending on which site you're playing on. So, let's dive into the top college basketball daily fantasy picks and CBB DFS plays for Tuesday night. All college basketball odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and the KenPom team totals are up-to-date as of this publishing, but keep an eye on any line movement. Good luck with your college basketball DFS lineups tonight!
College Basketball DFS Slate December 19th
- 6:30 pm ET – Morehead State at Indiana (-12) – 141 O/U
- 6:30 pm ET – Georgetown at Butler (-10.5) – 148 O/U
- 7 pm ET – Florida (-3.5) vs Michigan – 158.5 O/U
- 7 pm ET – Virginia at Memphis (-3.5) – 132.5 O/U
- 7 pm ET – Western Carolina at Vanderbilt (-4) – 140.5 O/U
- 7 pm ET – Troy at Ole Miss (-12.5) – 146 O/U
- 7 pm ET – Winthrop at South Carolina (-10.5) – 141 O/U
- 8:30 pm ET – Marquette (-4.5) at Providence – 146 O/U
Top KenPom Team Totals
- Butler – 83
- Florida – 81
- Michigan – 80
- Ole Miss – 79
- Indiana – 77
- South Carolina – 77
- Marquette – 75
- Western Carolina – 74
- Vanderbilt – 72
- Providence – 70
College Basketball CBB DFS Picks
CBB DFS Top Guards
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
Vonterius Woolbright | WCU | VAND | 9200 | 44.05 | ||
Although he’s expensive tonight, Vonterius Woolbright is still a top overall play because of his locked-in high-usage role for Western Carolina. The senior wing boasts a 35% usage rate and 32% shot rate for WCU as he’s averaging 21.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. With this large role and stat-stuffing ability, Woolbright has at least 40 DK in eight of 10 games so far with multiple 50 DK efforts in the past few weeks. He’ll be hard to fade in cash and the road matchup at Vandy isn’t too tough. | ||||||
Tyler Kolek | MARQ | PROV | 8500 | 33.16 | 8000 | 30.68 |
If Marquette is on the slate, then Tyler Kolek is always in play. The stud point guard usually boasts a strong DFS cash floor while averaging 15 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. In this Big East matchup on the road at Providence, expect Kolek to be plenty involved to come through in cash. He also has the GPP upside for 40-50 DFS points at his best when he’s more active scoring-wise. It's not the exact same matchup, but Kolek did have 29 and 19 points in two games vs Providence last year. | ||||||
Allen Flanigan | MISS | TROY | 8200 | 35.25 | ||
Allen Flanigan is thriving in his alpha playmaker role for Ole Miss this season. The senior wing is averaging 17.4 PPG and 7.0 RPG while leading the team in usage and shot rate. He’s also putting up 2.8 blocks/steals per game with strong ancillary stats to go along with his large offensive role. Flanigan has at least 32 DK in seven of 10 games so far and should post good numbers in this easier home matchup vs Troy. He also has one of the higher DFS ceilings among the high-priced guards. | ||||||
Reece Beekman | UV | MEM | 8000 | 32.25 | 8300 | 31.13 |
People may overlook Reece Beekman tonight because he’s playing in a low-total road matchup at Memphis. Even so, the Virginia point guard brings a strong DFS cash floor and gets a big pace-boost here with Memphis at a top-20 pace. Beekman is putting up 30+ DK on a regular basis in his consistent high-usage role for UVA. He stuffs the stat sheet plenty and should be a very good cash play tonight with the uptempo game flow compared to how slow UVA usually plays. | ||||||
Walter Clayton Jr. | UF | MICH | 7900 | 31.45 | 7600 | 28.66 |
The Florida vs Michigan game is definitely one to target tonight with the slate’s highest total and a close spread. For the Gators, Walter Clayton is the top option and makes for a great cash guard. The point guard leads the team in both usage and shot rate while averaging 16.5 PPG with a solid floor of ancillary stats. Clayton just scored 22 points with 30 DK last game and has 30+ DK in seven of 10 games so far. We should expect something similar tonight to anchor cash lineups. | ||||||
Dug McDaniel | MICH | UF | 7800 | 32.18 | 7700 | 29.83 |
In this high-total matchup, Michigan gets a big pace boost with Florida running at a top-20 pace. Naturally, it puts Dug McDaniel firmly on our radar as a top cash guard. The Michigan PG leads the team in both usage and shot rate while averaging 17.9 PPG with solid ancillary stat production. McDaniel should be good for 30+ DFS points in this spot with the upside for 40+ if he’s hitting more threes or takes on a bigger offensive role than normal. | ||||||
Posh Alexander | BUTLE | GU | 7000 | 27.27 | ||
Butler gets a favorable home matchup here against a poor defensive team in Georgetown. So, it sets up well for Posh Alexander to come through in DFS at his more affordable price point compared to other top guards. Before a dud last game in a blowout win, Alexander had 27+ DK in five of the previous six games while stuffing the stat sheet in almost every stat category. He’s running the point for Butler and brings a solid cash floor to lineups – though he does have some low outputs as well. |
CBB DFS Value Guards
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
Nimari Burnett | MICH | UF | 5900 | 21.77 | 5900 | 19.84 |
In the highest total of the slate, Nimari Burnett is a GPP value to consider. The Michigan guard has scored in double figures in five of the last seven games and has 25+ DK upside when he’s more active offensively. He’s still just a secondary scoring option, but Burnett is playing a key role in the backcourt and is one of Michigan’s more active 3-point shooters. He recently had 28 DK vs Iowa and 25 DK vs Oregon in other pace-boost matchups like this one vs Florida. | ||||||
Trey Galloway | IU | MOR | 5400 | 18.8 | ||
Trey Galloway will continue to be a GPP value if Xavier Johnson remains out for Indiana tonight. Galloway just exploded for 28 points and 31 DK on Saturday vs Kansas and he recently had 29 DK in a stat-stuffing effort vs Maryland. The combo guard has taken on more usage and a bigger offensive role in Johnson’s absence, but he hasn't been consistent enough to trust in cash. Gabe Kupps is also a cheaper GPP target from the IU backcourt if Johnson is out again. | ||||||
Isaac McKneely | UV | MEM | 5000 | 21.31 | 5500 | 19.14 |
Isaac McKneely isn’t as consistent as we’d like, but he’s still a great value tonight and remains a bit underpriced. He’s taking the second-most shots per game for Virginia, behind Reece Beekman, and that shot volume can result in some big scoring performances – especially if he gets hot from deep. McKneely brings in plenty of GPP upside as UVA’s best three-point shooter in this pace-boost matchup vs Memphis, but he’s also a decent cash play too. | ||||||
Chase Ross | MARQ | PROV | 4800 | 15.43 | 4800 | 14.57 |
Check on Marquette’s injury news for the status of Stevie Mitchell. If he’s out again, then Chase Ross will continue to be a strong value play. Ross has started the past two games with Mitchell sidelined and put up 22 and 24 DK. He’s also played 28 and 30 minutes in these last two starts with his role notably increasing in Mitchell’s absence in the Marquette backcourt. | ||||||
Russell Jones Jr | WCU | VAND | 4500 | 18.14 | ||
Both Russell Jones and DJ Campbell are decent values to consider from Western Carolina. In cash, Campbell has the more consistent floor. In GPPs, though, Jones brings some upside to exceed value and he’ll likely go overlooked. Jones is WCU’s best three-point shooter at 42% and Vandy has a terrible 3-point defense. The senior guard is playing 30+ minutes per game, which is attractive anyway. | ||||||
Myles Stute | SCAR | WIN | 4100 | 18.42 | ||
Despite averaging 18 DK this season with 20+ DK in five of 10 games, Myles Stute is now down to a season-low price point just over 4k. Though he’s been inconsistent shooting-wise, Stute has the GPP upside to smash the price tag with his three-point shooting. For a guy that can easily score 10-15 points with 20-25 DK points in any game, this is a nice bargain. Another South Carolina value to consider is Zachary Davis at $3500. | ||||||
TJ Caldwell | MISS | TROY | 3900 | 17.45 | ||
Ole Miss has a couple of guard values to consider tonight. First off, Brandon Murray just became eligible and played 17 minutes off the bench on Saturday in his season debut. We’ll see if his playing time and role increase in the coming games. TJ Caldwell, though, is very underpriced for his recent DFS production and current role. The backup guard tends to play 25+ minutes and does just enough to average 17 DK on the year. Murray might take away some playing time moving forward, but Caldwell is still a very affordable value for 4x or 5x return. |
CBB DFS Top Forwards
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
David Jones | MEM | UV | 8700 | 36.28 | 8400 | 33.25 |
David Jones continues to be a DFS stud in his high-usage role for Memphis. The wing playmaker is now averaging 20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game while leading Memphis in both usage and shot volume. The low-total matchup vs slow-paced Virginia puts him more in GPP range tonight, but Jones has the 40-50 DFS point upside with his heavy usage and shots share. | ||||||
Bryce Hopkins | PROV | MARQ | 8400 | 31.59 | 8200 | 30.26 |
If Providence wants to pull the upset over Marquette tonight, it’ll likely need a big game from Bryce Hopkins. The wing playmaker is averaging 16.6 PPG and 8.2 RPG in a high-usage role for the Friars. His usually heavy shot volume and rebounding chops give him a GPP ceiling of 45-50 DFS points when he’s active on both ends of the floor. Marquette’s defense does present a tough matchup here, though, so limit him to GPP lineups. Hopkins should still provide a solid cash floor of production too. | ||||||
Tyrese Samuel | UF | MICH | 8300 | 31.15 | 7800 | 29.53 |
Even with some elevated price tags, Tyrese Samuel always has the GPP upside when he’s dominating inside. The Florida big man is averaging 13.9 PPG and 8.2 RPG but has the ceiling for bigger stat lines at his best. An uptempo and higher-scoring matchup like this one could easily result in 30-40 DFS points for Samuel with double-double upside. His cash floor isn’t as trustworthy, but the Michigan interior defense is below-average and a bit undersized to totally limit Samuel. | ||||||
Olivier Nkamhoua | MICH | UF | 7700 | 32.59 | 7900 | 29.91 |
Dug McDaniel is the headliner for Michigan, but Olivier Nkamhoua is also in a high-usage role as a top cash forward tonight. The power forward slightly trails McDaniel in usage and shot rates this season, though Nkamhoua also averages 7.3 RPG to go with his 16.5 PPG. In this pace-boost matchup, he should be good for 30+ DFS points like we’ve seen multiple times this year. Florida does have plenty of size, but Nkamhoua presents a mismatch at the four spot. | ||||||
B.J. Mack | SCAR | WIN | 7500 | 26.85 | ||
South Carolina’s offense mainly revolves around Meechie Johnson and BJ Mack right now with both being in high-usage roles with heavy shot volume. Both should be considered in GPP lineups tonight with an easier home matchup. As for Mack, the big man has the upside for 20+ points and 30+ DK at his best. Winthrop is a bottom-tier defensive team with a below-average interior defense, so Mack can get going in this spot. | ||||||
Oso Ighodaro | MARQ | PROV | 7200 | 28.09 | 7400 | 26.74 |
Oso Ighodaro continues to be a boom-or-bust GPP play for Marquette. The big man has the upside for 30-35 DK points at his best when he’s having success offensively inside. Providence does boast a strong frontcourt defense, so Ighodaro is a risky play tonight. Still, he can smash the slate when he’s on and could easily be one of the top-scoring DFS forwards. |
CBB DFS Value Forwards
Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG |
Micah Handlogten | UF | MICH | 5300 | 17.44 | 5200 | 16.50 |
After recently missing time with an ankle injury, Micah Handlogten is back to being a solid DFS value in the low-5k price range. The 7-foot-1 center has put up 20 and 18 DK in the past two games since re-entering Florida’s starting lineup. Though the Gators still have a semi-fluid rotation in the frontcourt. Handlogten has clearly earned a big enough role to return value. In this higher-scoring matchup, he makes for a good cash salary-saver. | ||||||
Malcolm Dandridge | MEM | UV | 5000 | 15.08 | 5000 | 14.16 |
Malcolm Dandridge and Nick Jourdain are both value forwards to consider from Memphis as long as Jordan Brown remains out. In Brown’s absence, both Dandridge and Jourdain have been playing bigger roles in the frontcourt and with more consistent DFS production. Dandridge has 22, 17, 12, and 20 DK in the past four games and remains a decent value at 5k flat on both sites. Even in a low-scoring contest tonight, he can do enough as a rebounder with points around the rim being a bonus. | ||||||
Moussa Cisse | MISS | TROY | 4300 | 12.5 | ||
Moussa Cisse got a late start to the season due to his initial transfer waiver getting denied. He’s starting to carve out a bigger role in the Ole Miss frontcourt rotation, though, and his cheap DK price is hard to ignore for some GPP upside. Cisse has played 24 and 21 minutes in the past two games and recently had 21 DK vs UCF last week. He’s a risky play, but the 5x potential is there for someone with his talent in this easier home matchup vs Troy. | ||||||
Anthony Walker | IU | MOR | 3900 | 11.5 | ||
If Xavier Johnson remains out for Indiana tonight, then Anthony Walker is another value who benefits from the added playing time. The Miami transfer is only playing 15-20 minutes per game as a backup to Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau, but he tends to do just enough with the limited playing time. Walker is averaging 15 DK over the past six games and he’s in a bigger depth role as long as Johnson remains out. |
CBB DFS Core Plays
DraftKings Cash
- Dug McDaniel – Michigan
- Micah Handlogten – Florida
- Chase Ross – Marquette
DraftKings GPP
- Vonterius Woolbright – Western Carolina
- Oso Ighodaro – Marquette
- Trey Galloway – Indiana
FanDuel Cash
- Walter Clayton Jr. – Florida
- Olivier Nkamhoua – Michigan
- Chase Ross – Marquette
FanDuel GPP
- Tyler Kolek – Marquette
- David Jones – Memphis
- Nimari Burnett – Michigan
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Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.