2015 College Basketball Odds and Picks: Wooden Award Power Rankings – Week 9

2015 College Basketball Odds and Picks: Wooden Award Power Rankings – Week 9: Conference play is ramping up in the 2014-15 college basketball season, and while there were plenty of high-profile, out-of-conference matchups, it is ultimately conference play that separates contenders from pretenders and tests the depth and versatility of even the top teams. Conference play also plays a big role in deciding which players take home top honors when all is said and done, and with that in mind, here is a closer look at my frontrunners for the Wooden Award heading into the heart of the college basketball season.

1. Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke Blue Devils

Okafor has been a dominant offensive force in the paint for the undefeated Blue Devils, and he is currently averaging 19.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He is also shooting 68.2 percent from the field, which leads all eligible players. Okafor’s footwork in the post and touch near the basket is extremely rare for a young big man, and he is already commanding constant double teams. If he keeps up his current pace throughout ACC play, he is going to be tough to beat out for the Wooden Award.

2. Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin Badgers

Kaminsky has been rock solid for the Badgers all season, averaging 16.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He has the versatility to score on the block or step out beyond the arc, and he has been much more of a defensive force this year. Yes, Wisconsin basically returned every key cog from a Final Four team a year ago, but it is Kaminsky’s inside scoring that separates the Badgers from a lot of the other top teams. If Jahlil Okafor wears down at all, Kaminsky will be waiting to pounce.

3. Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame Fighting Irish 

The senior has picked right up where he left off last year, showing that he is the total package at the point guard spot. He is currently averaging 17.3 points on 51.3 percent shooting to go along with 6.3 assists, and he can beat opponents as a scorer or a distributor. Equally as important, Grant’s strong play has the Fighting Irish sitting at 14-1 with upset wins over Michigan State and North Carolina. If Grant can help turn Notre Dame into a serious factor in the ACC, he could make a serious push for the Wooden Award.

4. Justin Anderson, SG, Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia made a name for itself last season with suffocating defense, but the Cavaliers are punishing opponents on the offensive end, as well, and Anderson is doing a lot of the damage. He is leading the undefeated Cavaliers in scoring at 15.1 points per game, and he is by far the team’s most reliable scoring, shooting 53.7 percent from the field. At the end of the day, Virginia is still a nasty, defensive-minded team, but when they need a basket, Anderson is the go-to scorer that gets the ball.

5. Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville Cardinals

If the Wooden Award was based on athleticism and physicality, Harrell be a lock to take home the honor. The junior is averaging 15.9 points on 59.7 percent shooting, 9.3 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block for a 14-2 Louisville team. Harrell’s inside scoring and ability to pile up hustle points is especially important for the Cardinals because the team struggles to shoot from the perimeter. At the end of the day, Louisville goes from a potential Final Four team to an average team when Harrell isn’t on the court, and his combination of value and statistics should have him in the mix for the Wooden Award all year.

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