The Wooden Award is not only available to it’s top ten candidates (profiled here), hence the second list. These players have some work to do, but are definitely capable of putting up even better numbers. Let’s take a look at each one.
11. Rakeem Christmas- Senior, C, Syracuse
18.2 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game, 28.4 PER, 5.0 WS
It is a shame that Rakeem Christmas can play in any postseason games this season because he has stepped up his game to a whole new level. He is easily the most improved player in the country. He has converted 57% of his field goals this year, and has shown us a variety of post moves. He still has not gotten enough credit, and ESPN even left him off their top twenty list altogether.
12. Buddy Hield- Junior, G, Oklahoma
17.2 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 23.4 PER, 4.3 WS
Buddy Hield is a terrific scorer. He has a variety of moves to get himself open and score the rock. He has been a reason Oklahoma has stayed afloat in the feisty Big 12, scoring 18.6 points per game in conference play. He doesn’t get many assists (1.9 per game), but that stat can lie sometimes.
13. Ron Baker- Junior, G, Wichita State
15.5 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, 25.4 PER, 5.4 WS
The country has seen Ron Baker play for a couple years now, and it has been fun to watch him progress from a freshman role player to a junior leader. He is an extremely solid player. He won’t blow you away with his athleticism, but he will get the job done. He has hit 46% of his shots, even while shooting 11.2 per game, a relatively high number.
14. Stanley Johnson- Freshman, F, Arizona
14.5 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, 24.6 PER, 4.4 WS
Stanley Johnson has had to be a featured scorer on an offensively-challenged team in Arizona. The Wildcats have talent, just nobody that can really create their own offense. Johnson has improved over the season doing that. He doesn’t shoot the ball particularly well, but he is a really strong driver. His 2.1 Defensive Win Share number is good for T19th in the country.
15. Tyler Haws- Senior, G, BYU
22.4 points per game, 2.3 assists per game, 28.8 PER, 5.7 WS
I could not keep a scorer like Tyler Haws off the board much longer, and he is a good one. He has to create a lot for himself, but also can run through BYU’s offense and find shots. His True Shooting Percentage number (.601) indicates he has shot the ball really well this year, but that number is inflated due to ridiculously good free throw shooting (89%). Haws can still put BYU on his back, though.
16. Chasson Randle- Senior, G, Stanford
19.6 points per game, 2.8 assists per game, 22.6 PER, 4.2 WS
Chasson Randle has really kept the Stanford Cardinals alive this year, and has put the ball in the basket at a significant rate. That rate has led to a pretty poor shooting year, though. 40% from the field and 36% from the three point line are not numbers you want to highlight. Despite those numbers, Randle can really get to the tin and dish off to a teammate whose defender had to go help.
17. Ryan Boatright- Senior, G, Connecticut
17.6 points per game, 4.3 assists per game, 24.6 PER, 4.7 WS
Ryan Boatright has had a nightmare senior season. After winning the national championship last year, he came back for one more go around. It hasn’t panned out so well. With no other contributors for UCONN, Boatright has had to do it all himself. With UCONN out of NCAA tournament contention, the country has forgotten about Boatright, which is more of a travesty than what he has had to deal with in his final year in Storrs.
18. Kris Dunn- Sophomore, G, Providence
15.6 points per game, 7.4 assists per game, 25.8 PER, 4.1 WS
Somehow, someway, Kris Dunn is getting blatantly overlooked at Providence. Once a highly sought after recruit, Dunn had some injury problems his first couple season at Providence. That has not been the case this season, though, and Dunn has shown his worth. Dishing a ridiculous 7.4 assists per game should be enough for national recognition.
19. Kevin Pangos- Senior, G, Gonzaga
12.0 points per game, 4.9 assists per game, 22.3 PER, 5.6 WS
Kevin Pangos is the ultimate point guard, and that has helped Gonzaga succeed this season. Pangos really is good enough to get points for himself, his point average is down from last season, but he understands the team around him. The Bulldogs like to play inside out. At the very least, Pangos’ assists numbers have been boosted.
20. Tyus Jones- Freshman, G, Duke
11.4 points per game, 5.4 assists per game, 21.5 PER, 4.3 WS
Tyus Jones was another underrated freshman guard, but he has gotten the attention back, and for good reason. Jones plays like a rockstar in big games, and we all saw how he put the Duke team on his back in the final minutes against North Carolina. He doesn’t score quite enough points to be considered a true candidate at this point, but he is capable.
Almost made the list: Georges Niang, Juwan Staten, Brice Johnson, and Willie Cauley-Stein.
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All statistics via sportsreference.com
