Wooden Watch: Week 3

Story posted December 11, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Trevor Grady

Now that we are two weeks into the college basketball season, the best players in the country are making themselves more and more evident. Let’s take a look at which players across the nation are putting themselves in the Wooden Award conversation.

1. Luka Garza, Iowa

Not only is Luka Garza the best player in the country right now, but he has a chance to have an all-time great senior season. The 6-foot-11-inch center is averaging 29.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and three blocks while leading the Hawkeyes to a 4-0 record and No. 3 ranking in the AP Poll. Garza’s next game is on Friday night at 9 p.m. against Iowa State.

2. Drew Timme, Gonzaga

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are still holding onto the No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll, and that is in large part due to Drew Timme. Timme’s squad has already had four games canceled and one postponed, but when he has played, he has dominated. Timme is averaging 23.3 points and 6.3 rebounds and is shooting an efficient 60.4% from the field.

3. Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois

Ayo Dosunmu is the biggest reason why the Fighting Illini are ranked No. 6 in the country. Illinois took down blue blood Duke on Tuesday 83-68 and was led by an all-around performance from the junior guard. Dosunmu posted 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

4. Marcus Carr, Minnesota

Minnesota has gotten off to a blazing hot 5-0 start, and their workhorse has been Marcus Carr. Carr is averaging 25.6 points, six assists and 4.4 rebounds on the season. This makes three of the top four players from the Big Ten, which is fitting, considering it is the best conference in basketball this season.

5. Corey Kispert, Gonzaga

The Zags have a two-headed monster this season and have two of the top five in our Wooden Watch. Corey Kispert is averaging 22.3 points and five rebounds and is shooting 60.5% from the field. Not only is Kispert averaging just one point fewer than teammate Drew Timme, but he is the veteran leader on this Bulldogs squad.

6. Jared Butler, Baylor

The leading scorer for the No. 2 team in the country has to be on the list. Butler hasn’t put up any gaudy stat lines so far, but he has put his team in position to win games. The junior guard is averaging 15.3 points and 4.8 assists and is shooting an impressive 47.4% from 3-point range so far this year.

7. Evan Mobley, USC

We have gotten all the way to the seventh spot on our list before reaching our first freshman. The Trojans are sitting at 4-1 on the season, and their 7-footer has been leading the way. Mobley has had nine combined blocks in his last two outings and is averaging 17.6 points and nine rebounds on the season.

8. Ron Harper Jr., Rutgers

It is probably a surprise to see a Rutgers player on this list, but the Scarlet Knights are undefeated and ranked No. 21 in the country. Ron Harper Jr., son of former NBA great Ron Harper, has been sensational so far. Harper has great size for a guard, standing at 6 feet 6 inches, and he is averaging 22.3 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 60.3% from the field.

9. Jaylen Sims, UNC Wilmington

Definitely the biggest sleeper on this list is Jaylen Sims. Sims has been a scoring machine, averaging 27 points per game and leading UNC Wilmington to a decent 3-2 record to start the season. If the Seahawks can make a push for the tournament and Sims keeps up his scoring, he has a chance at the award.

10. Eugene Omoruyi, Oregon

A player named Eugene playing in Eugene, Oregon. It doesn’t get much better than that. Omoruyi is averaging 21 points and five rebounds for the 3-1 Ducks and has been a huge presence in the paint.

 

Trevor Grady is a junior majoring in management information systems and minoring in journalism. To contact him, email tmg5685@psu.edu.