2015-16 College Basketball Picks & Predictions – Wooden Award Watch

2015-16 College Basketball Picks & Predictions – Wooden Award Watch: The 2015-16 college basketball season is picking up steam, and now that conference play is in full swing, the contenders and pretenders start to emerge as teams make a push toward the NCAA tournament that is inching ever closer. Just as teams are building their resumes for the selection committee, the top players in the country are doing the same to try to grab the attention of Wooden Award voters. We still have a long way to go and a lot of big games to play, but in the meantime, here is a first look at the frontrunners for the 2016 Wooden Award. Don’t forget to get tonight’s expert college basketball picks against the spread.

2015-16 College Basketball Picks & Predictions – Wooden Award Watch

1. Buddy Hield, Guard, Oklahoma Sooners

Even though his team came up on the losing end, Hield’s performance against Kansas is enough to put him in the top spot for now. He finished with 46 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while playing 54 of the 55 minutes of the triple-overtime classic. For the year, he is averaging 26.3 points per game on 50.2 percent shooting, and he is knocking down 3.6 3-pointers per game at a 50.0 percent clip. He is a multi-faceted scorer leading the way for a 12-1 Sooners bunch, and if he continues to score like this and show up in big games, he has a strong shot at grabbing the Wooden Award.

2. Ben Simmons, Forward, LSU Tigers

If you are going to give the Wooden Award based purely on talent, then Simmons is an easy pick. The freshman is averaging 20.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, and his combination of athleticism, ball handling and feel for the game is incredible. Granted, he doesn’t have a jump shot, but he doesn’t really need one when he can get to the hoop at will. The real issue for Simmons is the Tigers’ 9-6 record. LSU is going to have to scramble to make the NCAA tournament, and despite his numbers, Simmons is going to have a tough time winning the Wooden Award if the Tigers aren’t dancing come March.

3. Brice Johnson, Forward, North Carolina Tar Heels

His overall body of work doesn’t stack up with some of the other frontrunners, but Johnson is coming on strong. He is now averaging a double-double, and he has established himself as the main interior weapon for a North Carolina team that is one of the best in the country. In his last outing, Johnson went off for 39 points, 23 rebounds, three steals and three blocks, so needless to say, momentum is on his side. If he continues to dominate the paint like this, the senior could end up claiming the Wooden Award.

4. Kris Dunn, Guard, Providence Friars

Dunn is the engine that drives everything the Friars do. For the year, he is averaging 17.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 3.2 steals. Those numbers alone put him in the conversation for the Wooden Award, but equally as important, his all-around production has turned Providence into a surprise contender. The Friars were expected to struggle this season, but instead, Dunn and company are 14-2. His value and production won’t go unnoticed, especially if Providence keeps winning heading toward March.

5. Grayson Allen, Guard, Duke Blue Devils

Freshman Brandon Ingram may be the best NBA prospect on the Duke roster, but Allen is the best player for the 14-2 Blue Devils. He is averaging a team-high 20.8 points per game, and he has showcased a versatile offensive repertoire, scoring from the perimeter and getting the foul line with regularity. After losing so much talent to the NBA from last year’s title team, Allen’s steady play has helped Duke stay in the thick of the title conversation.

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