Wooden Award Odds Update: Johni Broome Overtakes Cooper Flagg as Favorite After Dominant Performances

Cooper Flagg will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft in a few months, there's little doubt about that. But is he the best and most complete player in College Basketball right now? He had been running away with the National Player of the Year projection for most of the season, but a late charge from Auburn veteran Johni Broome is looking to snatch the award away.

With only three regular season games left, both talents will try to carry their team to a No. 1 seed in March Madness, and prove why they are the best player in the country in the process. Can Cooper Flagg rebound and return to the top of the Wooden Award odds? Let's break it down.

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Wooden Award Odds

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Wooden Award Odds Update

Johni Broome -240 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds

This is Broome's fifth season of college basketball, and it's by far his best one yet. He has carried the Auburn Tigers to the No. 1 ranking, something they've held on to for over six weeks after spending the first half of the year at No. 2. Broome's Tigers were great last year too, but they came up short in the first round of March Madness, stunned by a Yale squad that couldn't miss. They are much more experienced this time around, and the talent is undeniable.

That aspect could hurt Broome's chances, when you ponder switching Flagg with Broome, who's team would be better? Flagg and Auburn might not lose a single game, while it's unlikely that Broome would have Duke at 25-3, even with a slightly easier conference schedule. Both sides played an aggressive non-conference slate, including Flagg outdoing Broome back in December.

The most important difference to consider is Broome's two-week absence with an ankle injury. Auburn went 3-0 without him, including a 22-point dismantling of a ranked Mississippi State team. That proves the team is still a powerhouse with him on the bench, while Duke has never tried playing without Flagg, and there's a high chance they would struggle significantly.

Cooper Flagg +180 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds

The five-star freshman has led this race the entire way, and now suddenly finds himself behind Broome in the final few weeks of the season. He was -500 in the beginning of February, and -170 all last week before this late line flip. There are only three games remaining in the regular season, but unlike the NFL MVP, the postseason play counts here. So when you see Flagg at +180 odds, it's important to factor in how far you think he can take Duke in March, because that will go a long way in boosting his stock.

There is little doubt that he is the most talented player in the country, but part of this award is about leadership and team success, similar to the Heisman. Flagg is leading a younger Duke squad that has had an easier schedule, while Broome is surrounded by Auburn's veteran talent. Not to say that Duke doesn't have great stars, but the overall picture is different. They are averaging similar amount of points (19.4 Flagg vs. 18.8 Broome), and while Broome edges him in rebounds (11.0 to 7.6), Flagg gets him back in assists (4.1 to 3.4). Also, Flagg's plus/minus rating is significantly higher than Broome (455 vs. 323). The Duke star maintains a better KenPom defensive rating than Broome on top of that.

Bottom Line

Flagg is the projected first overall pick in the NBA Draft, and it would take a miracle for him not to be taken in that spot. Meanwhile, Broome is barely considered a first round pick. He's four years older, and his upside is largely set in stone after five years of college. Meanwhile, Flagg will continue ascending at his young age, which is why scouts are drooling over his generational talent.

Sure, the Wooden Award is not given to the best potential NBA player, but it's important to note the talent disparity. The award isn't announced until April 11th for a reason, and there are many thrilling weeks of basketball ahead that will have these odds swinging around. When Flagg leads Duke to several crucial NCAA Tournament wins, it will be hard to deny him from taking this home. Buy the dip on Flagg at +180, he's been the leader all year for a reason, and will dominate down the stretch.

Will Flagg and Broome carry their teams to a Final Four appearance as 1 Seeds? Check out the latest March Madness Final Four Odds