2013 Wooden Award Odds and Predictions: Top 5 Favorites : With conference play in full season, the top teams in college basketball are beginning to emerge. The top players in the country are also starting to emerge, and in fact, the semifinalists for this year’s Wooden Award were recently announced. While there are plenty of worthy players on the list, a handful have set themselves apart from the pack. Granted, there is still time for new contenders to emerge and for current frontrunners to falter, but here is a look at the top 5 candidates for the 2013 Wooden Award heading into the heart of conference play.
2013 Wooden Award Odds and Predictions: Top 5 Favorites
1. Mason Plumlee, Center, Duke Blue Devils
On a team loaded with perimeter scorers, Plumlee is the muscle inside that controls the boards and gives the Blue Devils’ offense some balance. He is the team’s leading scorer at 17.4 points per game, and his 11.5 rebounds per game not only lead the team but are good enough for fourth in the country. Throw in the fact that Plumlee is shooting 59.1 percent from the field and averaging almost two blocked shots per game, and his numbers are tough to ignore. He is a double-double threat whenever he steps on the court, and he is is shouldering the load in the paint for a Duke team that is 16-1 and has already beaten three of last year’s Final Four teams. Plumlee is the real deal and so are the Blue Devils.
2. Trey Burke, Point Guard, Michigan Wolverines
Burke was at the top of the rankings until Ohio State Aaron Craft gave him fits in Michigan’s first loss of the year. Still, the sophomore is having an incredible season. He is leading the Wolverines in scoring at 18.0 points per game and is dishing out a team-high 7.2 assists per game. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Burke’s game is his efficiency. He is shooting 50.3 percent from the field this year, including 40.0 percent from beyond the arc where he is hitting 1.9 3-pointers per game. His 3.8 assist-per-turnover ratio isn’t too shabby either. Burke is the engine that makes the high-powered Michigan offense go, and big shot maker in his own right. What’s not to love?
3. Michael Carter-Williams, Point Guard, Syracuse Orange
He is far from an efficient scorer, but Carter-Williams stuffs the stat sheet for a Syracuse team that just went on the road and knocked off top-ranked Louisville. In addition to his 12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, the sophomore leads the country with 9.3 assists per game and also ranks fourth nationally with 3.2 steals per game. Carter-Williams is a matchup nightmare at the point guard spot with his 6-6 frame, and as he showed in the upset of Louisville with his driving slam, he is more than capable of making game-changing plays with his explosive athleticism. Plain and simple, he can do it all when he is on the court, and he is the type of elite athlete that can help Syracuse win the Big East and make the team a national title contender.
4. Doug McDermott, Power Forward, Creighton Blue Jays
For those that haven’t seen McDermott play, he is the most polished scorer in the country. He ranks second in the country in scoring at 24.1 points per game, and there isn’t an offensive skill that he is lacking. McDermott is shooting 56.5 percent from the field overall, and he also knocking down 2.2 3-pointers per game at a 52.5 percent clip. He can throw his wait around in the post, as well. McDermott is averaging 6.2 free throw attempts per game and is shooting 86.6 percent from the foul line. He is also pulling down 7.2 rebounds per game. Most importantly, he has Creighton sitting at 17-2 and firmly entrenched in the top 25. McDermott will have to put up big numbers to compete with the candidates from major conferences, but he certainly has the game to do just that.
5. Cody Zeller, Center, Indiana Hoosiers
As far as talent and NBA potential go, no player has more than Zeller. He is currently leading the Hoosiers in scoring and rebound with 16.9 points and 7.9 rebounds, respectively. He is also shooting a ridiculous 63.1 percent from the field. Zeller certainly has the hype and the talent to win the Wooden Award, but his biggest obstacle may be hi own team. Indiana currently leads the country in scoring, and the Hoosiers are loaded with offensive firepower. Zeller just hasn’t had to shoulder the load the way some of the other contenders have thus far. That being said, Zeller will have a chance to show his value as Indiana pursues a conference title in the loaded Big Ten.
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