Top 3 Wooden Award Value Bets

The John R. Wooden Award is given out each year to the most outstanding college basketball player. As of now, Purdue big man Zach Edey is the front-runner for the award with odds sitting at +150 at DraftKings. But unfortunately for Edey, the award isn't given out after the first 10 games.

It's awarded at the end of the 2022-23 season, meaning there is plenty of time for the odds to shift. Right now is a great time to wager on a player whose odds aren't as favorable as you think they should be because you'll get a lot more value. Here are three players whose odds I think are worth considering.

The Favorite: Zach Edey (Purdue C), +150

Zach Edey is the odds-on favorite right now for a reason, which probably makes this pick seem pretty obvious, but I like it because at +150 you're still getting plus money. The 7'4" Purdue center has been a problem for every team he's faced this season, which is reflected in the Boilermakers 10-0 record. The stats that Edey is putting up are some of the best in the nation right now as well.

He's averaging 22.0 points on 61.3% shooting from the field while hauling in 13.7 rebounds per game. His points per game average ranks seventh in the country while he's second in total rebounds and first in offensive rebounds. That's a drastic change from last season when he was averaging just 14.4 points and 7.7 rebounds. Edey has put up at least 20 points in eight of his 10 games and has two games in which he scored 30 points or more. He's also recorded the second most double-doubles in college basketball, posting one in all but two games. When it comes to Edey's case for the Wooden Award, it's hard to argue with the numbers that he's putting up, which is exactly why he's the current favorite.

Value: Adama Sanogo +3000

Zach Edey isn't the only talented big man in college basketball. UConn's Adama Sanogo has been dominant so far this season and I only see him getting better, which is why he's my favorite value bet at +3000. The Huskies didn't come into the season ranked but have shot up all the way up the Top 25 into the No. 3 spot. Much of their success can be attributed to Sanogo who was named the 2022-23 Big East Preseason Player of the Year. He was the first Huskies player to earn the preseason honor since Rudy Gay in 2005.

Other than his field goal percentage, which sits at 62%, his stats aren't exactly going to wow you right now. He continually produces solid outings, but with the success of UConn this season, Sanogo often finds himself on the bench late in games. The Huskies have won every game this year by double-digits, which is why Sanogo has only played 30 minutes or more once this season. As games get tougher and conference play gets underway, we can expect to see Sanogo's time on the court increase and his stats increase as a result. That also means his Wooden Award odds are only going to get shorter, so you might want to jump on this value now.

Sleeper: Keyonte George +6000

Coming into the 2022-23 college basketball season, there were a number of freshmen poised to make a big splash. While I've been impressed with Gradey Dick, Anthony Black, and Dillon Mitchell, Baylor freshman Keyonte George is someone that's caught my eye. George came into Waco and made an immediate impact. He's third on the team in scoring, averaging 15.7 per game, and is third in rebounding with 4.4 per game despite being a guard.

Those numbers are also good enough for 5th among all freshmen this season with no other first-year player averaging at least 15 points and four assists. He's also scored in double-figures in all but one game and has recorded five or more assists on five different occasions. If he can improve both his field goal and three-point percentages, not only will George's odds for the Wooden Award start to shrink, but he might just end up being a lottery pick in next year's NBA draft.