Wooden Watch: Edey Leads The Pack With A Month To Go

Story posted February 3, 2023 in

This week, the late season Wooden Watch list was released. Twenty of the top players in the nation were honored thanks to their terrific play this season, and have a chance to be named the best player in the country.

There were some newcomers recognized, because of their emergence and performance in conference play. However, the clear cut for the Wooden Award still remains Purdue’s Zach Edey.

Unlike past seasons, it has felt like the Wooden Award has been decided since November. Edey is the best player on the best team in the country.

Edey is fourth in the country in points with 22 per game and second in the country in rebounds with 13 per game. Edey is averaging a double double against some of the best competition in the country in the Big Ten.

However, with one final month in the regular season remaining, there is still time for a player to dethrone Edey. February is a chance for players to separate themselves and punch their team’s ticket to the big dance.

Jalen Wilson, F, Kansas

If there was someone who has the best shot at taking the award away from Edey, it would be Kansas’ Jalen Wilson. Wilson is carrying the Jayhawks with his dynamic scoring ability. The Denton, Texas, native is averaging 21.3 points per game which is good for top ten in the nation.

Wilson had a big week, as Kansas defended its home court and beat its arch rival. The Jayhawks beat Kansas State 90-78, thanks to an offensive barrage. Wilson led Kansas in scoring with 20 points and the Jayhawks got revenge on their rival after losing to them earlier in the season.

Brandon Miller, F, Alabama

Brandon Miller has been by far the best freshman in the country this season. Miller is nearly averaging a double double and is a big reason why Alabama is the number-four team in the country.

Miller is fresh off a 22-point performance against Vanderbilt and Miller looks to keep the good times going Saturday against LSU. The Antioch, Texas, native had a career performance last time out against the Tiger. Miller scored 31 points against the Tide’s arch rival. 

Jalen Pickett, G, Penn State

A dark horse for the Wooden Watch is Penn State’s senior guard Jalen Pickett. The transfer from Siena is having a career year in his second season in Happy Valley, averaging 17..4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and seven assists per game and was just named to the late-season watch list.

Pickett is one of the more composed guards in the nation. Pickett has such a high basketball IQ, and never gets frazzled late in the shot clock. Time and time again, Pickett hits a tough mid-range jumper right before the shot clock buzzer. Pickett has the chance to take the Nittany Lions to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 12 years.


Aidan Torok is a third-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email ajt6051@psu.edu.

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Aidan Torok

Sophmore / Broadcast Journalism

Aidan Torok is a sophmore from West Caldwell, New Jersey majoring in broadcast journalism at Penn State. He produces content and does play-by-play announcing and beat writing for the CommRadio sports department. If you’d like to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).