Wooden Award Winner: Can Anyone Stop Zach Edey From Going Back-To-Back?

Presented by the Los Angeles Athletic Club every spring since 1977, the John R. Wooden Award is arguably the most prestigious individual accolade in college basketball.

Last season's winner, Purdue center Zach Edey, is dominating again this season. He's a likely candidate to have his name called in back-to-back years, which is a feat not accomplished in the men's game since Ralph Sampson did it at Virginia in the early 1980s.

Regardless, the 2023-24 college hoops season is still freshly underway. With plenty of on-court action left to unfold, the Wooden Award could head to any corner of the nation by the time March rolls around.

Let's check out FanDuel Sportsbook's Wooden Award odds, emphasizing the frontrunners in the market.

All college basketball odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

2023-24 Wooden Award Odds

Zach Edey, Purdue Boilermakers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: -200

As just alluded to above, Boilermaker big man Zach Edey has essentially picked up right where he left off after cashing this market last year. In 2022, Edey brought back Purdue's second-ever (Glenn Robinson, 1993) Wooden Award by averaging 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Fast-forward to now, and Edey has done well to improve on two of those clips thus far.

Currently pacing all of Division I in scoring, Edey is dropping in 24.8 points per game (PPG) in 2023. Last weekend versus Alabama, he produced 35 points for the second time in three games, scoring a season-high 12 buckets from the field.

Right now, Purdue is ranked third in the AP poll. The Boilermakers are seen as the national favorite, per FanDuel Sportsbook's college basketball national championship odds, yielding a +950 number. With imposing prowess and media coverage, Edey will have every opportunity to keep his name at the forefront of the national landscape.

If you've seen the senior center play, you've surely noticed that his size is too much for most opposing programs to deal with. Frankly, many NBA rosters do not have a player of Edey's stature. Still, can he close out his collegiate career in storybook fashion?

For Edey only, FanDuel Sportsbook is offering a "Yes/No?" Wooden Award market -- "No" is currently showing +155 odds.

Hunter Dickinson, Kansas Jayhawks

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +380

After three seasons in Ann Arbor, center Hunter Dickinson is now thriving for No. 2 Kansas. His first year with the Jayhawks is going well, as he's comfortably averaging a double-double with 19.4 PPG and 12.6 rebounds per game (RPG) -- both career highs. Additionally, Dickinson has increased his efficiency, getting his turnovers per game under two (1.8).

Showing a record of 9-1, KU has vanquished all competition except for a neutral site bid against No. 7 Marquette in the Maui Invitational. Since then, Dickinson and the Jayhawks have snapped off five straight victories. In that span, Dickinson's best game was a 25-point, 3-block night versus Eastern Illinois.

Standing at 7-foot-1, Dickinson is another dominant big man on a team with national title aspirations. As a blue blood of college basketball, Kansas last won it all in 2021-22. As with any year, the Jayhawks will remain in the limelight for the season's entirety, giving Dickinson a quality platform for the Wooden Award.

KU's most recent winner in this market was Frank Mason III (2016). Also, Danny Manning earned the honor as a Jayhawk back in 1987.

Kyle Filipowski, Duke Blue Devils

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +3000

Staying with the theme of seven-foot centers, sophomore Kyle Filipowski is enjoying an impressive second year at Duke. Through nine games in 2023, Filipowski has generated a scoring clip of 17.3 PPG on 50% shooting from the field.

From last year to this, Filipowski has remained a strong rebounder at both ends of the floor. In 45 career starts for the Blue Devils, he's averaged 9.0 RPG. Right now, his rebounding and scoring figures both pace No. 21 Duke.

In the men's game, Duke has showcased six different Wooden Award winners, which is more than any other school. Zion Williamson (2018) is the most recent Blue Devil to cash this market, while J.J. Redick (2005), Jason Williams (2001), Shane Battier (2000), Elton Brand (1998) and Christian Laettner (1991) round out the exclusive club of Dukies to win the award.

At 30-to-1 odds, FanDuel Sportsbook has Filipowski labeled as a long shot, but that is still good enough for the third-best odds in the market. Throughout 2023-24, it would be wise to monitor Filipowski's trajectory.

Tyson Walker, Michigan State Spartans

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +3500

As the first guard on FanDuel Sportsbook's oddsboard, fifth-year senior Tyson Walker has been prolific in the current campaign for Michigan State. The six-foot transfer from Northeastern weighs less than 170 pounds, but he has certainly got the juice.

Currently, Walker is one of 29 Division I players to be averaging at least 20 PPG (20.3). Pound-for-pound, he is the most talented player in MSU's basketball program. Still, Sparty has played to a 4-5 record out of the gate, which is a major disappointment after they began 2023 tied for the second-shortest odds to make the Final Four.

If Walker is to battle back for this award, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo will need to get more out of the surrounding roster. MSU is not looked upon favorably after losing five of their first nine contests this year. Other than Walker, only two other players are averaging double-digit scoring figures for Michigan State.

Like Edey, we have seen Walker explode for as many as 35 points in 2023, which Walker did in the opener. On that day versus James Madison, Williams got to the stripe for 17 free throws -- Sparty would certainly love to see more of that.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.