Cooper Flagg vs. Johni Broome National Player of the Year Odds in Dead Heat Ahead of March Madness

Reed Wallach | Mar 7, 2025

Dec 4, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) drives to the basket between Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford (0) and center Johni Broome (4) during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 84-78. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images / Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

With one week left in the college basketball regular season, the Wooden Award is a dead heat. 

The two best players, Johni Broome and Cooper Flagg, on the two best teams in the country, Auburn and Duke, are neck-and-neck for the National Player of the Year award with only a few games left for each team. 

Broome, who had emerged as the favorite for the Tigers early in the season, was passed by Flagg after the Auburn big man suffered an ankle injury that cost him two games. 

Flagg, the future No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been outstanding for one of the best teams in college basketball history. 

Duke owns the second-highest net rating (38.13) in the history of KenPom (since 1996-97 season). Only the 1998-99 Duke Blue Devils achieved a higher net rating (43.01).

— #DukeMBBStats (@DukeMBBStats) February 25, 2025

However, after Flagg became an overwhelming favorite, Broome has closed the gap at the helm of a vaunted Auburn team that has already clinched a share of the SEC regular season title with time to spare, the best conference in college basketball history. 

The numbers are tight. Broome is averaging 18 points per game with nearly 11 rebounds and three assists while blocking more than two shots on a healthy 50% field goal percentage. Meanwhile, Flagg leads Duke in all the five major categories per game with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, with more than a block and a steal per game on 49% shooting. 

Monday proved to be a massive indicator in who ultimately will win the award as Flagg torched Wake Forest for 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Broome had a subdued effort in a loss to Texas A&M, scoring eight points with seven rebounds. On the heels of those two games, Flagg regained the ground he lost after the two were a coin flip heading into the week.

Here are the updated odds ahead of the final week of the regular season.

2025 National Player of the Year Odds

• Cooper Flagg, Duke: -550
• Johni Broome, Auburn: +400

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

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