The list of legitimate candidates in the 2024 Wooden Award race is looking short in early February. Duke freshman Cooper Flagg has led the way as the favorite since he got on the board, but one veteran is looking to close the gap ahead of March. Can the rest of the field catch up to the favorites? It doesn’t seem very likely at this point.
Flagg is -550 at BetMGM and peaked at -800 in January. The Blue Devils’ star forward has been dominant on both sides of the ball for No. 2 Duke. He’s averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per contest. His shooting percentages leave something to be desired, but his is the focal point of a national championship contender with a 19-2 record. He’ll have to beat out a much more experienced player in Johni Broome.
Broome (+350) has climbed the ladder in a major way after opening the year at +3500 at BetMGM. No. 1 Auburn (20-1) leans on the 6’10” senior forward on both ends. His averages of 18.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game put him in elite company. He’s not much of a shooter, but does convert 52% of his field goals. The disparity between Broome and Flagg’s chances is a little confusing given the counting stats and the underdog can close the gap. Broome has notched three straight double-doubles since returning from an ankle injury in late January.
Purdue’s Braden Smith (+5000) doesn’t seem to be close to the conversation. He’s averaging 15.8 points per game and is one of the best passers in college basketball with an average of 8.8 assists per game. His ceiling will likely be limited by his team’s success, as the Boilermakers have already lost six games this season. Flagg and Broome can control their own destinies and it’ll take something drastic for a new name to have a real chance to win the Wooden Award.
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