Wooden Watch: Week 14
With the season winding down, the race for the Wooden Award is heating up.
The race has been tight all season long and it is going to be very interesting to see who is crowned the award winner when it is all said and done.
Now, let's take a look at the candidates.
Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois
Ayo Dosunmu has had a strong season, but his late surge might be what crowns him the Wooden Award winner this year. Dosunmu started off good, but has been unbelievable in February.
Dosunmu has recorded two triple-doubles in the month of February. He has also been huge in big moments, knocking down multiple clutch shots to clinch wins for the Fighting Illini.
Dosunmu did suffer an injury in Illinois’ loss to Michigan State. This injury will keep him out for their game against Nebraska, and possibly longer. This injury could hurt his chances, so it is important he gets healthy quick if he wants to stay in this tight race.
This year's race has been very tight, but the numbers Dosunmu has been putting up have been phenomenal, making him the perfect candidate for the Wooden Award.
Luka Garza, C, Iowa
What else is there to say about Luka Garza? He has been a machine this season, averaging 24.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Garza has also been improving throughout the year, especially from deep. Garza is shooting 44.6% from three this season, by far the best percentage of his career at Iowa.
Garza also reached a huge milestone in the Hawkeye’s win over Penn State, where he passed Roy Marble to become Iowa’s all-time leading scorer.
Garza has been phenomenal at scoring the basketball his entire career, and his stats this season are putting him near the front of the pack in this very tight race.
Jared Butler, G, Baylor
If you are looking for a player who can dominate on both ends, Butler is the guy. He has been unbelievable in his tenure in Waco, and this year has been his best by far.
Butler is averaging a career best 17.1 points per game, while also averaging 2.4 steals per game. He has been extremely efficient, averaging 49.3% from the field and 45.3% from three.
The Baylor Bears did have to pause their season due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the program. The pause could hurt Butler’s chances of taking home the award, so it is very important that he has a strong finish to the season.
Butler is the best player on arguably the best team in the country, making him a great candidate for the Wooden Award this season.
With the season winding down, every game is an opportunity for a player to jump ahead in an extremely close race for the Wooden Award. These final few weeks will go a long way in deciding who comes away with the award, because everyone remembers what you do in March.
Adam Sheetz is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.
