The 2021-22 NCAA college basketball season is underway and bettors are searching the board for the best bets to win the 2022 John R. Wooden Award given to the country’s best player.
Keep in mind that eight of the last 12 winners were pretty prolific scorers. Those eight averaged at least 20 points per game during their award-winning season.
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Also of note if the fact that nine of the last 12 Wooden Award winners have been juniors or seniors. That’s not to say a freshman couldn’t win the award – Anthony Davis did while at Kentucky – but it is unlikely.
With that said, here’s a look at the 2022 John R. Wooden Award futures odds and picks.
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The Favorites
After spurning the NBA draft and returning to Gonzaga, Drew Timme is averaging 18 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the No. 3 Bulldogs. He helped lead head coach Mark Few’s team to the national final last year and if he does it again the Wooden Award will likely be his. Timme is listed at +400 to win.
Along with Timme is 6-foot-10-inch Duke freshman Paolo Banchero. He’s off to a strong start averaging 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds for the No. 1-ranked Blue Devils. While freshman don’t normally win the award, there are a lot things favoring Banchero. It’s coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last season at Duke. A deep postseason run after an ACC title could lock up the Wooden Award for the young freshman. He is also listed at +400.
Top Contenders
There is a reason why Purdue is ranked No. 2 in the country this season – Jaden Ivey. The Boilermakers guard averages 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Purdue is big up front and has another All-American caliber player in Trevion Williams (12.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg). Ivey is given +900 odds to win the award.
The odds that a Big Ten player will win this year’s Wooden Award are high as Ohio State’s E.J. Liddell is among the top contenders. Liddell is a gifted, physical 6-7 forward who leads the Buckeyes in scoring and rebounding. Liddell averages 20.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season. He is also given +900 odds.
Sleepers to Watch
Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis was named to the Wooden List late last season. He is one of seven players on that list to return to play this season and he is the only one from a major program to average at least 19 points and nine rebounds per game. So far this season, the 6-foot-9-inch Jackson-Davis is averaging 21.0 points and 8.6 rebounds a game. Indiana is 7-1 so far and with a deep run in the 2022 NCAA basketball tournament, Jackson-Davis makes for a strong sleeper candidate at +1400.
Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji (+1400) led the Jayhawks in scoring last year (14.1 ppg). He’s off to a great start this season leading the Jayhawks with 22.6 points per game. Kansas will be right in the thick of the Big 12 race and if Agbaji leads them to a conference title and a deep run in the tournament anything can happen.
Bet on Drew Timme to Win John R. Wooden Award in 2022
It’s turning out to be an interesting college basketball season. Look for deep tournament runs from teams with experience – Gonzaga, Purdue, and possibly Kansas and another Big Ten team like Ohio State, Illinois, or Michigan.
There is the possibility of an upset, but this award is going to be Timme’s to lose. He’s experienced, has the scoring and rebounding numbers, and Gonzaga will contend for a national title.
2022 John R. Wooden Award Betting Lines
Drew Timme +400
Paolo Banchero +400
Jaden Ivey +900
E.J. Liddell +900
Kofi Cockburn +1200
Keegan Murray +1200
Trayce Jackson-Davis +1400
Ochai Agbaji +1400
Johnny Juzang +1600
Collin Gillespie +1600
Hunter Dickinson +1800
Chet Holmgren +4000
Jaime Jaquez Jr +4000
Marcus Sasser +4000
Buddy Boeheim +4000
Max Abmas +5000
Julian Champagnie +5000
