Wooden Watch: March Madness
The madness has begun!
The NCAA tournament has officially started, and the best teams and players in the nation have all gathered in Indianapolis to compete for a national title this year. Multiple candidates for the Wooden Award are competing in Indianapolis, let’s take a look at who they are.
Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois
The Fighting Illini are entering the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big Ten Tournament last week, led by the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player Ayo Dosunmu.
Dosunmu has been unbelievable for the Illini this year, and was awarded USA Today’s Player of the Year. Dosunmu is averaging 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists this year while shooting an efficient 48.8% from the field.
Dosunmu has been phenomenal all year long, and is ready to elevate his game to another level to take home a national title in the coming weeks.
Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma State
Cunningham is the most talented player in the nation, and he showed how good he is during the Big 12 Tournament. The projected No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft was magnificent in Kansas City last week, averaging 23.7 points during the tournament while leading the Cowboys to the conference title game.
Cunningham’s great showing in the Big 12 Tournament just showed the world how great he is, and how great he has been all year long. The star freshman averages 20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists this year. He has also been extremely efficient, shooting 45.4% from the field, 41.2% from three and 85.4% from the free throw line.
Cunningham is a special talent, and is expected to take over the NCAA Tournament over the next three weeks.
Luka Garza, C, Iowa
Garza seemed like the award favorite in January, and he might have built a lead that will keep him as the Wooden Award winner.
Garza has amazing numbers, averaging 23.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Garza is also one of the most efficient centers in the nation, shooting 54.7% from the field, 40.7% from three and 71.3% from the free throw line.
Garza lost his lead for the award over the last few weeks because he was playing just slightly below his standards. Garza was also outplayed by opposing big Kofi Cockburn in the Big Ten Tournament when Illinois knocked out the Hawkeyes, 82-71. Garza was good, but opposing bigs have been able to dominate the game as well against Garza.
Garza was dominant in the early stages of the season, and will look to get back to that level in Indianapolis for the NCAA Tournament.
These three candidates are coming to Indianapolis looking to dominate and win a title. Dosunmu, Cunningham and Garza all have high expectations for the NCAA Tournament, and are set to put on a show in Indy.
Adam Sheetz is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.
