Wooden Watch: Mar. 20
The NCAA Tournament is the greatest opportunity to cement a case for the nation’s most prestigious individual accolade, the Wooden Award.
These four players made the most of their opportunities and their stock is increasing because of it.
Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky Wildcats
Although the Wildcats went down in the first round to Saint Peter’s, Tshiebwe was far from the problem and proved his worth as the nation’s most impactful big man.
The West Virginia transfer registered 30 points and 16 rebounds but was the only player on the Wildcats roster who seemed to show up, which led to one of the largest upsets in college basketball history.
Despite his early exit from the tournament, it would be foolish to expect anyone else to come home with this award as his efforts throughout the entire season separated him from the rest of the top players in the nation.
Drew Timme, Gonzaga Bulldogs
The leading candidate for most outstanding player in the NCAA Tournament is the 6’10 junior for the Zags. Timme manhandled Georgia State and Memphis in the second half of both games to survive major upset threats and keep his team dancing.
His dominance started halfway through the Round of 64 matchup with the Panthers when he scored 22 of his 32 points in the second half and continued with 20 more second-half points to erase a 10-point deficit against the Tigers in the Round of 32.
Mark Few’s star forward is a long shot to ultimately come home with the award, but he is certainly helping his case on the biggest stage of the sport.
Jabari Smith, Auburn Tigers
A thunderous poster slam against Jacksonville State was the exclamation point of a phenomenal game for Bruce Pearl’s prized freshman in the opening contest of the NCAA Tournament.
The potential first overall selection in the NBA Draft came to play in his first March Madness game with 20 points on 4-7 shooting from the perimeter to improve to 43 percent on the season from the outside.
If he continues to dominate in March, this is the one player who I believe can take the Wooden Award from Tshiebwe when it is announced at the end of the month.
Johnny Davis, Wisconsin Badgers
If there’s any player in the nation who loves the spotlight, it is Johnny Davis. His best performances of the season came in the biggest games of the season, which made him a favorite to be the next superstar to take over the NCAA Tournament.
His tournament started with 25 points to fend off an upset scare from Colgate and will continue against a feisty Cyclone defense presented by Iowa State.
The Midwest Region is wide open and if Davis can continue to rise to the occasion when the lights are brightest, the Big Ten Player of the Year could capture another award from his breakout sophomore season.
Derek Bast is a third-year majoring in digital/print journalism. To contact him, email dmb6699@psu.edu.
