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2024 Wooden Award Odds and Predictions with Expert College Basketball Handicapping

by Matt Zitt - 1/22/2024

Wooden Award odds Zach Edey Purdue Boilermakers

Can anyone catch Purdue’s Zach Edey? The defending award winner from last year is the clear-cut favorite to repeat in 2024 and an expensive price to pay if you want to throw a wager on the Boilermaker. Have no fear, because there are plenty of good value bets to place on his competition. A few bad weeks or an injury can put other players right back in the race for the coveted award.

The award is officially known as the John R. Wooden Award, named after the legendary coach of Indiana State and UCLA. It was first given to the most outstanding men’s basketball player of the year in 1977, and later to the most outstanding women’s player in 2004. A 26-member panel selects about 20 players, and the nominees must meet various selection criteria, including a minimum GPA of 2.0 and outstanding contributions to their team on the court. Doc’s Sports will break down some of the best value bets on players looking to dethrone Edey.

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Zach Edey, Purdue (-475)

The last time a college basketball player won the Wooden Award in back-to-back seasons was in 1983, but it looks like Edey is on track to make history. The reigning award winner is averaging 23.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He is also shooting 63% from the floor while dominating competition. If he can avoid injury, then it is difficult to see him lose the award, and his odds will likely continue to shorten.

Hunter Dickinson, Kansas (+1500)

Dickinson enters the week averaging 19.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks per contest. He plays great in transition, shoots well from the outside for his height, and can be a force to be reckoned with down low when he has the ball. The Michigan transfer has thrived in Bill Self’s offense, and he will need to get double-doubles against the likes of Baylor and Houston to make this a close race. He has the advantage of playing in a deeper league than Edey, as the competition in the Big 12 is easily better than the Big Ten. Dickinson provides great value if Edey struggles down the stretch.

Kyle Filipowski, Duke (+2500)

Tabbed as the Preseason ACC Player of the Year, the sophomore has upped both his overall and three-point shooting percentages, shooting 51.6% from the floor and 42.1% from beyond the arc. Filipowski is what makes the Blue Devils offense roll, leading the team with 18.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He earned ACC Player of the Week honors last month after 28 points, 12 rebounds, and a career-high eight assists against Hofstra. He finished two dimes short of the sixth all-time triple-double by a Blue Devil. With marquee matchups against UNC in the future, Filipowski could give Edey a run for his money.

RJ Davis, UNC (+3000)

The Tar Heels have been rolling with the one-two punch of RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, as they look to avenge last year’s disappointment. Davis leads UNC in scoring with 20.2 points a game and excels at distributing the rock and provides a type of leadership that any coach would want. He has the Tar Heels ranked fourth in the country and sitting in first-place in the ACC by two full games. They are 15-3 overall and undefeated in ACC-play at 7-0. If Davis can put up numbers in marquee matchups against Duke, Clemson, and Miami, while leading the Tar Heels to an ACC crown, Davis can easily be in the Wooden Award conversation.

Wooden Award Odds

Zach Edey (Purdue) -475

Hunter Dickinson (Kansas) +1500

Kyle Filipowski (Duke) +2500

R.J. Davis (North Carolina) +3000

Kevin McCullar (Kansas) +6500

Tyson Walker (Michigan State) +7500

Tristen Newton (UConn) +7500

Dalton Knecht (Tennessee) +9500

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