Another jam-packed college basketball slate is on tap for Wednesday, with several marquee programs taking the court. Among the games to watch, two SEC powerhouses meet when #4 Alabama visits #15 Missouri. Elsewhere, #1 Auburn hosts John Calipari and Arkansas while #10 St. John’s faces DePaul in Chicago. Ahead of tonight’s action, here are my three favorite college basketball player props on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Zuby Ejiofor 14+ points (-120)
A dream season has #10 St. John’s atop the Big East with a 13-2 record in conference play. One of several factors behind the Red Storm’s dominance has been Zuby Ejiofor’s growth. After averaging just over 11 minutes per game as a sophomore, the center has broken out in a big way. Through 26 games, the junior has posted 13.9 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 56.8% from the field.
For years, DePaul has been a Big East laughingstock, constantly finishing near the bottom of the conference standings. While new head coach Chris Holtmann has begun to turn the program around, this is an incomplete roster. That’s especially true on defense, where the Blue Demons have allowed a conference-high 73.2 points per game. Going against a front court that lacks size, the 6’9″ Ejiofor should have his way inside the paint. St. John’s center is set up for another stellar performance on Wednesday night.
Caleb Grill 14+ points (-120)
In a matchup with massive SEC ramifications, Alabama vs. Missouri could come down to which role players step up. The 19-6 Tigers can score with the best of them, currently ranked 11th in adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom. Head coach Dennis Gates relies on depth to win games, utilizing an 11-man rotation. That makes it difficult to figure out which player is set to take over on any given night.
Despite only starting one game this season, Caleb Grill is one of Missouri’s most consistent players. The sharpshooter currently leads the SEC with a three-point percentage of 46.2%, along with a scoring average of 12.8 points per game. The guard has scored at least 14 points in six of his last nine outings. Alabama plays at the nation’s fastest tempo, per KenPom (74.5). That means plenty of possessions for both sides. Even if Grill plays just over 20 minutes, there should be enough time to impact tonight’s potential shootout.
Nolan Hickman 2+ three-pointers made (-170)
Gonzaga has had an up-and-down season, as reflected in its 20-7 record. The biggest plus for the Bulldogs is their offense, currently ranked ninth in efficiency on KenPom. A high-powered starting five has been led by Graham Ike and Ryan Nembhard, two All-American talents. However, several other Zags are capable of delivering impressive stat lines, including Nolan Hickman. This season, the guard has averaged 10.6 points while shooting 47.6% from the field.
Hickman isn’t the most consistent player; he’s scored less than 10 points in 2/5ths of his appearances this season. Still, he’s a constant threat from beyond the arc, leading the Zags with a 44.6% three-point percentage. The last time Gonzaga played Washington State on January 25th, the senior knocked down five shots from long distance. While a follow-up performance would be asking a lot, it’s reasonable to expect more treys from Hickman on Wednesday. Consider backing Hickman to make 3 three-pointers at +185 odds as well.
