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If not Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe who will win the Wooden Award?

By Aryanna Prasad

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 26: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats points to the bench during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 26, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Wildcats 75-73. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 26: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats points to the bench during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 26, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Wildcats 75-73. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Kentucky Wildcats big man Oscar Tshiebwe was a consensus pick for the SEC Player of the Year, and Tshiebwe is expected to take home the Wooden Award.

Before March Madness fully sets in, the best college basketball players are up for awards season, and Oscar Tshiebwe is conducting an Oscar-like sweep.

Tshiebwe was just named the SEC Player of the Year by the Associated Press and coaches across the league. The 22-year-old phenom was also named an All-SEC First Team selection and a member of the All-Defensive Team. Tshiebwe joins NBA company in former Wildcats who have won such accolades.

What these awards make clear is that Tshiebwe is regarded as the best player in the SEC, which primes him to take another award: the Wooden Award.

Will Oscar Tshiebwe win the Wooden Award?

Before the NCAA Tournament begins, Tshiebwe has already made the case to win the Wooden Award through a spectacular 2021-22 season. Right now, Tshiebwe leads his team with an average 17.3 points per game, and he leads the nation with a whopping 15.3 rebounds per game. Additionally, he’s the only major conference player averaging at least 1.5 blocked shots and 1.5 steals per game.

Tshiebwe has snagged 10 or more rebounds in all but two games this season, and currently, he is in the midst of a stretch of 18-straight games with double-digit boards. This stat places him in Wildcats history as the player with the longest stretch of double-digit boards.

Although Tshiebwe makes a slam dunk case for the Wooden Award, he remains one of 15 finalists to win the award in 2022. Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis is the best bet to come in second to Tshiebwe with freshman phenoms, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero among the Wooden finalists.

It would be an upset if Tshiebwe doesn’t win the Wooden. After all, he’s led Kentucky to a 24-6 record and has another opportunity to make college basketball history. According to ESPN, if he maintains his current average, “Tshiebwe’s rebound numbers would be Division I’s best since Monti Davis of Tennessee State averaged 16.2 in the 1978-79 season.”

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