The championship game is set. The most dominant team in the tournament is getting into the championship game with a double-digit win against every opponent they have seen. The Huskies have played different styles every round. They’ve beaten the conference champions. They’ve been the most complete team in the tournament and would be considered the most dominant team this season if not for a cold run in the middle of the season.
The left side of the bracket features the grinder. San Diego State’s last two games have been decided by one point. The buzzer-beater on Saturday was a product of suffocating an FAU team down the stretch and making the plays they needed as they have all tournament. However, those close games haven’t produced any DFS stars from the Aztecs. Putting together a lineup for this championship game will be tactical. So let’s dive into it. Here are my National Championship DFS Plays!
National Championship DFS
Captain:
Andre Jackson Jr, G UConn $11,700
The clear and obvious choice for the last two or three rounds now has been Adama Sanogo. Sanogo could slide into the captain slot for the 1.5x bonus that comes with it. He had a double-double in his last two and double-digit shot attempts all tournament. If you’re feeling frisky, Hawkins or Andre Jackson are options too. But the majority will have Sanogo here, and that’s warranted. It’s the most logical start to the build.
The downside is that he will cost 30% of your salary, and you will be severely hindered in the rest of your options. Therefore, I’m presenting Andre Jackson Jr as the alternative.
ACTION JACKSON ‼️🔥#Made4March | @andrejackson111 pic.twitter.com/AoS9U42j9c
— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) April 2, 2023
In the Final Four write-up, I mentioned that he needed to stay out of foul trouble. He didn’t. He had two quick fouls in the first half and went into the break with one counting stat to his name. If he stays out of foul trouble, then Jackson will provide a more complete stat line and diversify your lineup from the rest of the field.
He put up 30+ FPPG in his two games before Miami, and with the 1.5x bonus, you’re sacrificing about 10 FPPG but saving $4k in salary for the rest of your lineup. There is an additional cost to your captain spot, so Sanogo can still slide into your UTIL.
UTIL:
Adama Sanogo, F UConn $10,00
The slower pace and constant rotation of fresh bodies may hinder Sanogo’s ability to grab the number of rebounds needed for the additional points in this matchup. However, that is not to say that UConn will shy away from the odds-on favorite for Most Outstanding Player as their offensive focal point. San Diego State’s starting five is older than five NBA teams. They will crash the boards and defend as they have all tournament long.
Jordan Hawkins, G UConn $8,200
Hawkins logged 30+ FPPG before coming down with food poisoning ahead of the Miami game. San Diego State doesn’t allow much penetration into the defense, especially on drives. Hawkins has shot the most volume in three-pointers for the Huskies so far this tournament and should be healthier than he was on Saturday.
Alex Karaban, F UConn $7,600
Karaban was active on Saturday on both the offensive and defensive glass. He got an uptick in minutes with Jackson in foul trouble, but we were able to see how he could impact the game. He was the highest percentage three-point shooter for the Huskies during the regular season at 40%.
At 6’8, he has some length which may play a role in this physical matchup with the Aztecs. However, buyers beware of his foul trouble as well. He was called for four personal fouls in the two matchups before Miami when he was forced to play physically, but the upside isn’t anywhere on the Aztecs.
Matt Bradley, G San Diego State $7,400
It was a welcomed sight for the Aztecs on Saturday as Matt Bradley checked back into the tournament for them as the team’s leading scorer with 21 points on 5/12 shooting doing most of his damage from the outside and the free throw line. However, he struggled before FAU went 6/27 from the field and tallied 18 points over those three games.
Matt Bradley prepared for the moment 👏#MFinalFour @Aztec_MBB pic.twitter.com/dVlaKtFRVy
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 3, 2023
Bradley was the leading scorer for the Aztecs during the regular season and finally got some to drop after he opened with 17 against COFC. The Aztecs spread the ball around, but Bradley got 54 shots up during the tournament. He will have steady volume as long as he can get shots to fall then he will have the most upside on the San Diego State team.
Joey Calcaterra, G UConn $3,200
This is a bit of a hedge. Karaban and Jackson both have had some foul trouble. We can protect ourselves at this price point with nearly the last contributor available. Calcaterra has played anywhere from 10-20 minutes but isn’t shy about shooting when he has the ball. Some cheap points in the event the others get in foul trouble while having the top five options on the slate due to subbing Jackson in for Sanogo as the captain.
