Another exciting college basketball slate is on tap for Friday, with several high-profile programs taking the court. Among the games to watch, Big East foes clash when #16 Marquette visits Villanova. Elsewhere, ancient Big Ten rivals battle when #12 Michigan hosts #14 Michigan State. Ahead of tonight’s action, here are my two favorite college basketball player props on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Stevie Mitchell 1+ three-pointer made (-120)
In spite of a few tough losses this month, #16 Marquette finds itself in contention to win the Big East. The Golden Eagles are led by the dynamic duo of guard Kam Jones and forward David Joplin. Together, the pair have led the nation’s 31st-ranked offense, per KenPom. However, head coach Shaka Smart has plenty of other weapons at his disposal, including Stevie Mitchell. The guard has been one of the team’s most reliable players, averaging 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Marquette’s opponent, Villanova, could struggle against a high-octane offense. This season, opponents have made an average of 8.7 three-pointers per game against the Wildcats, 56th-most in the nation. While Mitchell isn’t a sharpshooter (35.1 3PT%), he has made a trey in half of his 26 appearances. Against one of college basketball’s worst perimeter defenses, the senior is a good bet from beyond the arc.
Jaxon Kohler 8+ rebounds (+115)
First place in the Big Ten depends on tonight’s matchup in Ann Arbor. #14 Michigan State enters the contest on a high note, having beaten #13 Purdue 73-65 on Tuesday. That’s also true of #12 Michigan, winners of six straight games. The Spartans are deep, as head coach Tom Izzo often utilizes a ten-man rotation. However, the team’s starting lineup doesn’t have much height. The only true big man for MSU is Jaxon Kohler. The junior from Utah has posted 8.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Normally, Kohler only plays close to 20 minutes a night. That might need to change against a Michigan team led by talented centers Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolff. The Wolverines can keep a seven-footer on the court at all times, which might force Izzo into leaving his tallest players on the floor. Over 13 games with at least 20 minutes played, Kohler has reached eight boards nine different times. Michigan State’s best rebounder should serve a massive role for Sparty on Friday.
