First look at the 2023-24 Wooden Award Market for college basketball.
College Basketball will tip off in about three weeks, which means it is time to take a deep dive into all of the futures award markets and make our first investment.
I say that facetiously, however I have already place two wagers in this market. Over the season, whenever it feels necessary over the course of the season I will update my thoughts on the market.
Weather it is doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling down on someone; or if I feel a new player is emerging.
Today I have two bets to place as I feel the number will drop tremendously by the time conference play starts. I also have one or two other players to mention as somebody to monitor. These players I do not think the value will disappear anytime soon however I will have a eye on them and try to beat the curve of the market.
Wooden Award: The Red Beard
Second Favorite
The second favorite in this market behind Zach Edey, who won this award last season, is Hunter Dickinson. Dickinson has transferred from Michigan to Kansas over this past off season and is set to have all eyes on him.
Hunter Dickinson was a dominant big man in the Big 10 before Juwan Howard took over as coach of Michigan.
Coach Bill Self will rely on Dickinson a lot more and get him the ball in situations to be successful. Also, at Kansas he has a chance to be the best player on the best team, which goes a long way in this award.
As much as it is a individual award, the team’s success adds fuel to the fire. For example, Zach Edey and Purdue dominated the Big 10 last season.
If Kansas stays at the top of the Big 12 and Dickinson is averaging 20+ points and double digit rebounds, he will become the favorite. At the moment Kansas is the favorite to win the National Championship this season.
Right now his number in this market in +750, and I am afraid weather he wins or loses this award, this will be the best number you can get all season.
Expect him to be +2-300 come January. (Hunter Dickinson +750 to win Wooden Award)
Big Man On Campus
UConn is coming off of winning a National Title and returning big man Donovan Clingan is looking to keep the Huskies rolling.
Last season as a freshman coming off of the bench he was a huge part of their success. He showed he has the talent, fundamentals, and the toughness to dominate at this level of basketball.
This season he will be “the guy” in Connecticut. The offense will run through him, and I believe he will be a defensive anchor in the paint.
This is a long stretch, however I think there is a chance Clingan can have a season reminiscent of Shaquille O’Neal in the early 90’s for LSU. With a lot less athleticism of course.
His number suggests he is a long shot in this award, however on the list is he the fourth name listed, which means any sign of him winning this award and his number will drop insanely.
As I mentioned for Dickinson, come January I do not believe the +1700 on Clingan will be available. Win or lose, I am in on it and will possibly have 5 or more bets on this kid come the new year.
UConn can be towards the top of the Big East, one of the more respectable conferences in college basketball.
There will be three to five players come January in the running for this award, I believe Clingan and Dickinson will be in that mix. (Donovan Clingan +1700 to win Wooden Award)
Wooden Award: Honorable Mentions
Zach Edey +155
It is hard to talk Wooden Award without the previous winner who also happens to be one of the most unique players we have ever seen in college basketball. Zach Edey is currently the favorite sitting at +155. I do believe he has a chance to win, however after winning last season, I do not like his chances. Only one player in the history of the sport has won this award twice, and that was legendary Ralph Sampson in the early 80’s with Virginia.
Kyle Filipowski +900
This is an interesting one for many reason. He plays for Duke, he is extremely talented, and most of his freshman season he carried that Blue Devil team. Now in his second year can he take the leap to be the best player in the country and not just at Duke. It is definitely possible, however I think we can wait and see how he comes out the gate and let the market adjust and still get a good number on him later. What he did against Virginia last season still sits in my mind anytime I hear his name.
Armando Bacot +2000
Armando Bacot has been a staple in college basketball for what feels like a decade now. He is a double-double machine, the face of the Tar Heels and from what I have heard this off season, hungrier than ever. The success of UNC will be huge for him in this market, I do not believe he wins this unless they win the regular season ACC title. At +2000 I believe we can still get him around this number come January if we feel the need too.
Tyson Walker +5000
Now this award usually goes to big men, however if any guard in the nation can win it, I think Tyson Walker is that guy. He has improved every season since coming into Michigan State, and will be the guy to carry them this season. He has the talent to put up points at a historic cliff. It is an extreme long shot, however if he can average 20+ points and Michigan State is in the mix for the Big 10 title, he will have to be mentioned. At +5000 this is a stay away for this number might get larger before getting smaller. However he is a guy to monitor going into the season for this award.
Rowan Donaghey is a Sports and Betting insider for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on twitter via @RowanDonaghey
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