THE LUTE OLSON AWARD

Top 8 Preseason Candidates for 2019

Before the 2019/2020 college basketball season begins, Rhode Island online sports betting is all for all your wagering needs. We can project the top 10 preseason candidates based on their previous college performance, their natural abilities, the sizable expectation for annual improvement, and the role than an individual will be playing in a team. Please note that this isn’t a list of the players who have the best prospects in the NBA.

2019/2020 College Basketball Preseason Candidates

1. Cassius Winston, Michigan State

Closing last season with an immaculate series of performances, Winston return to senior year with high hopes to take the national championship. Winston is capable of hurting his opponents in spurts by tearing apart defense systems and scoring. He has the most proven college basketball career, and there’s no doubt that he can repeat his performance.

2. Cole Anthony, North Carolina

Anthony will arrive in Chapel Hill ready for his freshman year in the country. The North Carolina freshman comes with a polished offensive game and an excellent scoring ability. Anthony will be joining an overhauled Tar Heels squad that will require him to deliver a heavy possession count. Fortunately, he excels at attacking the paint and driving downhill, with his strength, frame maturity, and explosiveness setting him apart.

3. Markus Howard, Marquette

Howard’s unique ability to drain threes at a high volume and post huge point totals makes him a difficult cover in college basketball. Over the last two years, he has continued scoring at a tremendous rate, despite facing junk defenses regularly. As such, the Marquette will be looking to weaponized his incredible skills as they target a Big East title.

4. Myles Powell, Seton Hall

Stepping in for his senior year at Seton Hall, Powell is arguably the best catch-and-shoot player in college basketball. He rose comfortably to his junior career, with an average of 23.1 points per game, and he can serve as an effective offense focal point.

5. Kerry Blackshear Jr, Florida

With the ability to damage inside the paint or face-up from outside, Kerry Blackshear will be an immediate anchor for Florida’s attack. While at Virginia Tech, Blackshear was among the more unheralded and consistent performers in the country, recording 7.5 rebounds and 14.9 points last season.

6. James Wiseman, Memphis

Wiseman is among the most physically gifted players in college hoops with a body built for sports and an impressive degree of explosiveness. Memphis will be looking to keep the freshman involved on the block and also as a screening threat or secondary playmaker.

7. Jordan Nwora, Louisville

Nwora is known for creating a unique and problematic matchup for defenses with a potent jump shot. The junior made massive strikes throughout his breakout sophomore season, recording 17 points and 7.6 rebounds. He has enough to attack closeouts while keeping the defenders honest, and he’ll benefit mainly from the influx of talent in Louisville.

8. Devon Dotson, Kansas

After a solid debut, Dotson’s development is essential for Kansas. Dotson is the engine to their attack force, taking advantage of his small stature that makes him hard to mark. He has shown a good feel for decision-making, and his next step will be learning when to be an aggressive scorer.

The Lute Olson Award is presented annually to the nation's top Division I player.
 
The award is named in honor of Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson, who won 776 games in 34 seasons, 24 of which were spent at the University of Arizona. During that stretch he led the Wildcats to 11 Pac-10 Conference titles, 23 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, four Final Four appearances and a National Championship in 1997.
 
Olson is one of just 25 head coaches in NCAA history to win 700 or more games (all divisions) and ranks ninth on the Division I career victories list. He finished with a winning percentage of .731 and is the all-time winningest coach in Arizona history with 587-190 record (.755). He was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year seven times. Olson also guided Arizona to 20 consecutive 20-win seasons, and is one of only three coaches in NCAA history to record 29 or more 20-win seasons.
 
In 2002, Olson was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
 
The recipient of the 2023-24 award will be announced in April, in Phoenix, AZ site of the men's NCAA Basketball Championship.

The Lute Olson award is presented annually to the top division I player as voted on by the award committee. 
 
The 10-member voting committee consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.
 
The award is presented annually at the site of the men's Division I NCAA basketball championship. 

Champign Image
Champign Image
Champign Image