John R. Wooden Award Odds and College Basketball Futures Picks

The 2021-22 college basketball season is well underway, so we dive into the futures odds and make our best picks to win the Wooden Award.

It is early in the college basketball season, but it is time to start talking about some potential candidates for the Wooden Award.

The futures market to win the Wooden Award is very much wide open. Will the honor stay in the Big Ten for a second straight season?

We look deeper into three players who could be finalists, and make our picks to win the Wooden Award.

2021-22 Wooden Award Odds

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Wooden Award Picks: Favorite

Kofi Cockburn, C, Illinois (+3500)

Since he missed the first three games for the Fighting Illini, Cockburn's name currently does not appear on any statistical leaderboards. This has kept his odds long and the national spotlight off his hot start to the season.

He is averaging 26.8 points per game through four contests, which would be leading the NCAA if he qualified for the statistic. He is doing this while shooting 70.7% from the field. He is a rim protector who is scoring at an incredibly efficient rate. 

The potential of dominating one of the toughest basketball conferences in the nation will only boost his resume for the Wooden Award. Keep your eye on Cockburn and what he is accomplishing moving forward. However, this number isn't likely to last.

Wooden Award Picks: Long Shot

Keegan Murray, F, Iowa (+4000) 

Murray is a 6-foot-8 athletic forward, who can block shots and shoot the three. He is also playing at the top of Iowa’s half-court presses, which has led to a lot of easy dunks. Not too often do you see a rim protector playing this role, but it speaks to his athleticism. 

Murray is stuffing the stat sheet for the Hawkeyes in every game, but it is his efficiency that could help him win the Wooden Award. He currently has a player efficiency rating (PER) of 52.29 to lead the entire NCAA. He also leads the NCAA with a net rating of 62.0. 

It is early in the season but expect to see Murray soar up projected NBA draft boards as the year progresses. Iowa is playing better than it was projected to in preseason polls and team success will be crucial to Murray’s Wooden Award campaign.

Wooden Award Picks: Fade

Drew Timme, F, Gonzaga (+550)

Timme has seen a slight decline in his statistics from his stellar sophomore season. Last season, he averaged 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Those averages have dipped to 17.4 PPG and 5.8 RPG through eight games this season.

His advanced numbers are also lacking for someone who is currently the favorite to win the Wooden Award. He currently ranks 54th in the NCAA with a PER of 29.79. 

Timme's odds appear to be short because he is a recognizable name, and he plays on arguably the best team in college basketball. At the end of the season, can you really give this award to someone who might not even be the best player on his own team?

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