The college basketball season is roughly halfway done. Various kinds of evaluations are no longer based on a few weeks, or on cupcake non-conference games. Teams and players have been subjected to a wide cross-section of circumstances and have had a chance to change the nature of their respective teams’ seasons. Based on everything that’s happened thus far, which players are clearly a cut above the rest in the pursuit of the highly prestigious Wooden Award, recognizing college football’s best player?
Josh Hart, Villanova Wildcats
There really are two players at the very top, followed by the third and fourth selections. If two players are the best of the best in college basketball this season, one is Lonzo Ball of UCLA, and the other is Hart. The biggest thing to note about Hart is that he takes over games late in second halves. The opposition knows he is coming and that he is going to get the ball on a Villanova possession, and he still scores anyway. Hart has quickly filled the leadership role on this team, replacing Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu. Hart also plays well against quality teams. Villanova has beaten a bunch of strong opponents. It has won at Purdue. It has beaten Creighton and Xavier. It has beaten Notre Dame. Hart has been a rock of dependability for the Wildcats, doing whatever has needed to be done under the circumstances. His reputation is unassailable at this point.
Hart is coming off one of his quietest performances of the season, though, as he had his lowest scoring output of the season in Saturday’s game against St. John’s. He only had 11 points against the Red Storm in the Wildcats 70-57 victory. He went just four-of-13 from the field while also collecting six rebounds.
Lonzo Ball, UCLA Bruins
The big thing to remember with UCLA is that its only loss of the season was a game on the road at Oregon, a team which is a Final Four contender. This was hardly an embarrassing loss or a game in which UCLA played poorly. The Bruins looked very good in that game, and when they trailed in the second half (only because Oregon was playing great), Ball led them back with a series of three-point shots. Many people are surprised that Ball’s shooting stroke – which is a little cross-armed – is so successful, but it is. Ball simply puts the orange in the hoop. He makes plays. Ball also sees the court, makes passes fluidly, and consistently sets up his teammates. If Hart is the leader in this race, Ball is a strong and convincing number two. The third player on this list is a few notches below Ball.
Ball was crucial in the Bruins latest victory as they edged out the Utah Utes 83-82 on the road. He scored 17 points in 40 minutes of action while collecting eight assists, six rebounds and three three-pointers. If he continues to play like this, he’ll be among the finalists to win the award.
Malik Monk, Kentucky Wildcats
The game no one will soon forget this season is Kentucky’s 103-100 win over North Carolina back in December. Malik Monk went off for 47 points and hit the game-winning three-point shot in the final half-minute. He was a transcendent player in that game and certainly inserted himself into the Wooden Award conversation. However, he hasn’t been as consistent as Hart or Ball. His defense is weak. Kentucky has to be stronger for Monk to gain ground on the top two.
Luke Kennard, Duke Blue Devils
This is the dark horse pick, well behind the other three. The main thing with Kennard is that he has established himself as the Blue Devils’ best player. Being Duke’s best player gains some leverage. However, Duke needs to win the ACC for its best player to have a good chance at winning the Wooden Award. So far, the Blue Devils have been beaten badly on the road. They have to make a course correction in order for Kennard to get more support in the race for this award.
The Blue Devils are coming off a sour effort as they lost to No. 14 Louisville on the road. He had 17 points, four rebounds and three assists along with one three-pointer.
