Top 5 Wooden Award Bets For 2024-2025

Cooper Flagg, Duke (+700)

Two-time Wooden Award winner Zach Edey is now a Memphis Grizzly, so someone else is going to win the award this season. While I normally would stay away from a freshman to win this award, the talent that Flagg brings to the table is undeniable, and he should instantly be one of the best players in college basketball. The 5-Star heralded prospect will make an instant impact for the Duke Blue Devils, as he can do it all offensively. Need a three-pointer in the clutch moments? He's the guy. Need someone to push the pace and drive to the rim? He's got you. Trying to draw fouls and slam home monster dunks to put on a show? Plant the Flagg.

My biggest issue with him is the fact that he is a freshman, and having zero experience at the college level comes with its issues. However, the guy played for USA basketball, so he is used to playing on a big stage. He was 12/1 and the line has already moved to 7/1, making him the favorite. I'll be interested to see the BetMGM betting splits to see how much liability they have on him.

R.J. Davis, North Carolina (+750)

Right behind Flagg is his soon-to-be rival, Davis, who was a finalist for the award in 2022-2023. He tallied 21.2 points per game last year and became an elite spot-up shooter in his junior season, and should be even better in his senior year. He's going to need to be to win this award, as I don't see the Tar Heels being a better team this season after they lost Armando Bacot, Harrison Ingram, and Cormac Ryan this offseason. Edey won the award not only because he himself was fantastic and unstoppable, but also because the Boilermakers obtained the No. 1 seed in both the years he won it.

Davis will need to clean up his inconsistent jumper if he is going to win the Wooden Award, as it showed up again in their loss to Alabama in the Sweet 16, where he shot 0-for-9 from deep.

Hunter Dickinson, Kansas (+750)

Unlike Davis' squad, I expect that the Jayhawks will be a much better team this season than they were last year. The additions of AJ Storr, Ryan Griffen, and Zeke Mayo should make this squad one of the biggest favorites to win the title in 2025. Dickinson is only going to benefit from having them around him because now, he will have a plethora of teammates that will demand the same attention that he does. This will make everything that he does that much easier, and with his passing ability as a big man, his assists could skyrocket.

Dickinson was already one of the best post-up shooters in the country, with his main weaknesses being his cutting ability and pick-and-roll sets. I would anticipate all of those improving with this new roster, which is scary to think about.

Kansas has a legitimate shot to be a No. 1 seed in the tournament, which will help his cause when it comes to winning the Wooden.

Mark Sears, Alabama (+1200)

Much like Dickinson, the Crimson Tide are loaded coming into the upcoming season. They have talent everywhere, and they are led by Sears, who is one of the premier guards in the country and as good as they come. Add the fact that head coach Nate Oats is a brilliant mind and one of the better coaches in college basketball at scheming matchups, and this could be a very dangerous team next season. They do need to get better on defense, however, if they are going to have a shot at a No. 1 seed, which could be a big drawback for betting Sears. The SEC is also going to be challenging, with Arkansas on the rise, Kentucky being Kentucky, and Auburn still being undervalued.

Still, with the playmaking and scoring ability that Sears brings to the table, he will be right there in the discussion for this award when all is said and done.

LJ Cryer, Houston (+2000)

I am placing a very large emphasis here on teams that have a chance to earn a No. 1 seed, as I feel team success is a very important indicator for winning the Wooden Award. Houston has been good for years, and they figure to be once again this year, with Cryer leading the way. Not only can he score in multiple ways, but he also brings aggressive defense to the table, as you have to if you play for the Cougars. He might not have the flash that some of the guys I listed above do, but if he can improve on his already fantastic numbers from 2023 (15.5 points per game), he can certainly be in the discussion.