Oscar Tshiebwe is the co-favorite to win the Wooden Award

On3 image — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

As you know well by now, Oscar Tshiebwe took home every National Player of the Year award last season. He led the country in rebounding with 15.1 boards to go along with a team-high 17.4 points and set a Kentucky single-season record with 28 double-doubles while finishing the season as the only major-conference player averaging 1.6 blocks and 1.6 steals per game.

Heading into his senior year, Oscar is one of the favorites to take home one of the major National Player of the Year honors yet again. BetOnline.ag released odds for the Wooden Award this morning and Oscar and North Carolina’s Armando Bacot are the favorites at 7/1. Gonzaga big man Drew Timme is close behind at 15/2, followed by Houston’s Marcus Sasser and North Carolina guard Caleb Love.

Opening Wooden Award Odds

Armando Bacot	7/1
Oscar Tshiebwe	7/1
Drew Timme	15/2
Marcus Sasser	10/1
Caleb Love	12/1
Julian Strawther	12/1
Jaime Vazquez Jr.	14/1
Jalen Wilson	18/1
Nick Smith	18/1
Tyger Campbell	18/1
Hunter Dickinson	20/1
Terrance Shannon	25/1
Trayce Jackson-Davis	25/1
Zach Edey	25/1
Emoni Bates	28/1
Kevin McCullar	33/1
Max Abmas	33/1
Baylor Scheierman	40/1
Kendric Davis	40/1
Mike Miles	40/1
Antoine Davis	50/1
Colin Castleton	50/1
Isiah Wong	50/1
Kris Murray	50/1
Matt Bradley	50/1
Posh Alexander	50/1
Tyrese Hunter	50/1

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Oscar believes he’ll be back for the season opener

Oscar underwent a minor knee procedure last month and missed the first exhibition vs. Missouri Western State. At Media Day, he told reporters he’ll likely sit out both exhibitions as a precaution but “absolutely” anticipates being back for the season opener on Monday night vs. Howard.

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“To be honest, I don’t feel like I’ll miss any games,” Oscar said on Oct. 25. “I’ll probably miss the exhibition games because it’s not really necessary and it gives me more time, but I don’t think I’ll miss any games.”

Sahvir Wheeler is also expected to miss tonight’s game vs. Kentucky State after re-aggravating a knee injury vs. Missouri Western State. Daimion Collins may also be absent following the passing of his father, Ben, earlier this week. Tonight’s exhibition tips off at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on SEC Network+/ESPN+.