Wooden Watch: Feb. 28
With the postseason swiftly approaching in the world of college basketball, five players have separated themselves from the pack in terms of odds to win the Wooden Award, which is given to the best player in college basketball annually.
Here’s a look at how the best players in the nation have performed thus far this season.
Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky
Oscar Tshiebwe is the current odds-on favorite to win the prestigious award and for good reason.
Kentucky is currently the No. 7 team in the country, and that is in no small part due to the outstanding play of Tshiebwe.
The transfer from West Virginia is currently dominating on both sides of the court, averaging 16.9 points and an outstanding 15.3 rebounds per game. He is also a force on the defensive side of the court, putting up 1.8 steals a game and 1.5 blocks a game.
Kofi Cockburn, Illinois
The big man for Illinois made the decision to return to college that surprised a lot of people, but Cockburn is making the most of this year leading the No. 20 ranked Fighting Illini.
The 7-foot, 285-pound center is averaging 21.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game on the season, easily the best year of the junior’s career. After a disappointing NCAA tournament a year ago, Cockburn is looking to lead Illinois on a deep run this season.
Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
Johnny Davis is quite possibly the most improved player in all of college basketball this season, more than doubling his points per game and rebound per game numbers. He increased his point per game totals from seven to 20.5 and his rebounding from 4.1 to 8.3.
His improved play has helped the Badgers reach the top spot in the Big Ten conference currently, and the No. 10 team in the country.
Keegan Murray, Iowa
Speaking of players who have made big jumps from last year to now, Keegan Murray is leading the No. 24 team in the country to a huge season. Currently averaging 23.2 points per game, leading the Big Ten in scoring after averaging just 7.2 a year ago, Murray is trying to avoid playing the first two days of the Big Ten tournament by earning a top-four seed.
Murray has been making a late surge for the award, recording under 23 points only once so far the entire month of February.
Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
Senior guard Ochai Agbaji has been improving every year of his career thus far, and he finally exploded onto the scene this season for the Jayhawks.
Agbaji averages 20.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for Kansas, which is currently the No. 6 ranked team in the country. After a disappointing ending to last season in the NCAA tournament, Agbaji is doing his part to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
Jameson Kramer is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism, to contact him email jek5650@psu.edu.
