A dominant week from Duke freshman Cooper Flagg springboarded the potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft atop the race for college basketball’s Wooden Award. Flagg delivered a signature performance on Saturday — scoring an ACC-freshman-record 42 points in the Blue Devils’ win over Notre Dame. Averaging 30.5 points, eight rebounds and six assists during a 2-0 week for the Blue Devils, Flagg surpassed Auburn forward Johni Broome for the top spot on the Wooden Award odds board.
After exiting the Tigers’ SEC win against South Carolina over the weekend with a sprained ankle, Broome’s odds shifted from clear favorite (-250) to second place (+300), thanks partly to the senior’s uncertain status going forward.
With the dramatic mid-season swing in the odds, can anyone catch Flagg for college basketball’s top individual honor as conference play heats up?
Wooden Award odds
Flagg becomes favorite
Flagg’s total domination against the Fighting Irish showcased the freshman’s exciting abilities. In what was a Duke player’s first 40-point game since JJ Redick’s memorable senior season in 2006, Flagg accentuated his 42-point performance with seven assists, six rebounds and a steal. Efficient all over the floor, the forward shot 11-for-14 from the field, 4-for-6 from 3-point range and 16-for-17 on free throws.
Flagg elevating into the pole position for the Wooden Award didn’t happen immediately. He entered college hoops as the top-ranked freshman but wasn’t listed in the odds due to not being 18 years old to start the season. Flagg’s stock continues to rise during a stellar season.
Leading Duke in all five major statistical categories, Flagg is averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game with respectable shooting splits (47.9 percent on field goals, 34.5 percent 3-pointers, 80.6 percent on free throws).
Considered by many to be the No. 1 2025 NBA Draft prospect, Flagg’s natural growth during ACC play gives him the current edge for Player of the Year.
Showcasing a more natural scorer’s mentality while improving overall efficiency at the start of league play, Flagg is putting up 23.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals and a block per game in ACC play. Even with increased scoring responsibilities, Flagg is shooting 59 percent from the field, 54 percent from distance and 88 percent on free throws in league matchups.
Riding a 10-game winning streak, Duke is the ACC’s only ranked team and a major favorite to win the conference. Flagg is strongly positioned to become the seventh Wooden Award winner from the school, hoping to become the first Blue Devil to capture the honors since Zion Williamson’s breakout freshman season in 2019.
Flagg is also looking to be the fourth freshman to win the award. He’d join the elite trio of Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant and the aforementioned Williamson.
Can Johni Broome keep pace?
An incredible season from Broome is temporarily stalled after his ankle injury. Top-ranked Auburn leads the loaded SEC thanks to Broome’s contributions on both ends. But Broome will miss Auburn’s next game against No. 15 Mississippi State — with more missed games likely to follow.
The fifth-year senior is averaging 17.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 54.7 percent this season. Unfortunately, Auburn could be without Broome for a few weeks as he recovers.
Despite coming into the year as a long shot to win the award (+3500), he’s been a menace against ranked teams this season. Broome is one rebound shy of a double-double in all five ranked matchups the Tigers played this season — including 20 points and 12 rebounds in a December loss to Duke and Flagg.
If he’s able to return from the injury after only a few missed games, Broome will have ample opportunity to win back Wooden recognition. Six of Auburn’s final seven games come against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25 — including two high-profile matchups against rival Alabama.
Can the guards make up ground?
Frontcourt players have dominated the Wooden Award by winning each of the last six years. Still, Broome’s ankle injury might have opened the door for two premier perimeter threats to sneak back into the discussion.
Marquette senior guard Kam Jones (+650) is the current Big East Player of the Year favorite after a monster start. The 6-foot-5 Jones is averaging 19.7 points, 6.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the floor.
Jones registered the Golden Eagles’ first triple-double since Dwyane Wade during Marquette ’s win over Purdue in November. Big scoring outings from Jones against rival Wisconsin (32 points) and Maryland (28 points) showcased takeover scoring ability.
Previously listed at +400, Jones is only shooting 40 percent during Big East conference play to cool off his blistering start.
Tennessee senior guard Chaz Lanier (+1400) also saw his odds change after a cold shooting week. The sharpshooter is averaging 19 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting a respectable 43.7 percent from 3-point range.
The North Florida transfer was one of college basketball’s breakout players to start the season and followed in the footsteps of Dalton Knecht after his breakout transfer season with the Vols last year.
After going a combined 6-for-27 in two games against Florida and Texas last week, Lanier’s case is slipping. Briefly benched by head coach Rick Barnes for not shooting an open shot to open the second half against Texas, Lanier only had one assist over his last two games while totaling 20 points.
Lanier needs to turn around his season in a hurry if he wants to earn national honors at the end of the season.
(Photo of Cooper Flagg: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
