We are down to the final four teams in The Basketball Tournament and are primed for an exciting day of basketball Sunday. Looking at the TBT daily fantasy contests at DraftKings and FanDuel there is value to be had despite a dwindling player pool. With a headliner like Iso Joe, who will certainly be in almost everyone’s lineup, you need to find value in the mid-tier and there is plenty of it to be had. Here is how you can cash in on TBT daily contests during the semifinals on FanDuel and DraftKings.
Daily TBT Odds, Picks, and Updated Championship Odds
Elite/High
Joe Johnson, Overseas Elite
Guard/Forward ($9,500 DK/ $25 FD)
Iso Joe Johnson rebounded from a slower first game, 13 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists, with an absolutely dominant 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. He torched Herd That and it seemed like no one and nothing could slow him down. Factor in that he was deadly from all over the floor, 5 of 6 from three-point range, and he still moved the ball and rebounded well. Johnson is the type of play you want to make in a DFS slate. He was dominant and will most likely continue his TBT daily fantasy dominance in the semifinals against Sideline Cancer.
Eric Thompson, Sideline Cancer
Forward ($7,400 DK/ $20 FD)
Thompson has been an absolute force on the boards for Sideline Cancer. Over three games for the scrappy underdogs, he has averaged 13.7 rebounds per game and just under 8 points per game. Against Overseas Elite Thompson will be key to Sideline Cancer’s chances. He also provides stellar value at forward, there are few “sure things” at forward in TBT. So far this tournament Thompson has averaged 32.1 DK points and 33.73 FD points. Combine those numbers with an average of nearly 30 minutes per game and you have to like playing the former Pacific star.
Mid/Low
Ryan Mikesell, Red Scare (Dayton)
Forward ($6,600 DK/ $15)
Mikesell provides scoring in bunches for Red Scare. The recently-graduated college player has been the leader of the youth movement for Red Scare. Averaging 15.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from deep makes him an attractive play at a mid-tier price. Factor in that this could turn into a track meet between Golden Eagles and Red Scare and you have a recipe for Mikesell to go off in a big way. Consider partnering Mikesell with Iso Joe and another mid-tier player to capitalize on value scorers.
Darius Johnson-Odom, Golden Eagles (Marquette)
Guard ($6,100 DK/ $14 FD)
The Golden Eagles have used a balanced offensive attack with five players contributing significant offense. However, Johnson-Odom was a scoring machine in their first game. Against Team CP3 he went off for 21 points, including 5 of 6 from three, and he went off again against Brotherly Love, 18 points, and an assist. Johnson-Odom does not appear to be the kind of player you put in your lineup to fill up the stat sheet, but he will certainly get buckets. He is not a core player, but he is someone who will be a nice addition at a mid-tier price.
Darrell Davis, Red Scare (Dayton)
Guard ($5,400 DK/ $14 FD)
Davis was largely contained against House of ‘Paign, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, after a strong 15 point performance in the Super 16. He is a talented three-point shooter who can do the little things as well. Darrell Davis should be in line for a bounce-back game against Golden Eagles, especially if they key in on the younger stars in Landers, Mikesell, and McMahon. Davis has been averaging 19.35 FD and 20.0 DK points so far so he is a solid TBT daily fantasy mid-tier option.
Bargain
Raphiael Putney, Overseas Elite
Forward ($4,600 DK/ $11 FD)
As the tournament narrows down to four teams, the bargain plays are getting harder to find. Putney was largely a non-factor in the Super 16 game against Armored Athlete. He bounced back and was a solid rebounder and contributed 10 points off the bench for Overseas against Herd That. In a game where Overseas will look to use their size and shooting, Putney fits into that mold. He is a strong rebounder and capable from deep, 2 of 3 against Herd That. Putney could get hot and drain some threes and be worth more than his bargain price.
