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IOWA CITY IA. – JANUARY 22: Iowa forward Luka Garza (55) comes off the court for a time out during a Big Ten Conference basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, on January 22, 2020. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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IOWA CITY IA. – JANUARY 22: Iowa forward Luka Garza (55) comes off the court for a time out during a Big Ten Conference basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, on January 22, 2020. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Luka Garza is one of the best talents in the NCAA this season. While his NBA career isn’t projected to be nearly as good as his college career, Garza is still one of the best players in the tournament. Winning the tournament will solidify Garza’s legacy with the Hawkeyes., as the senior center is looking to be a college champion.
READ MORE: Former NCAA Champion Casts Massive Doubts on the Future of Luka Garza in the NBA
The Hawkeyes have started March Madness this season without falling victim to a first-round upset. They beat the Grand Canyon Antelopes in their opening game and will now be heading into battle against the Oregon Ducks. Garza commented on his performance against the Antelopes and what enabled the teams’ success for the 12-point win.
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“We definitely talked about. We wanted to be able to drag their big man because he’s really, really good. But we wanted to be able to put me in pick and pop situations because you know, even myself as a big man, it’s really hard to guard a pick and pop. So I try to do that early and I think that kind of messed them up on tents of their ball screen covers.”
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Luka Garza: Can he lead Iowa to a title?
Luka Garza is a man amongst boys in the NCAA. The 22-year-old senior is a shoo-in to win unanimous National Player of the Year. However, what is the point of getting decorated like that if there is no NCAA title to cap it off with? His 24-points against Grand Canyon showed he is ready to step up in the tournament this season.
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IOWA CITY, IA – DECEMBER 29: Iowa center Luka Garza (55) with the ball during a college basketball game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Iowa Hawkeyes on December 29, 2020, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Ia. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
However, the competition will only get harder. They are facing a completely rested Oregon Ducks team after their game against VCU was canceled. But with the team that Coach McCaffery has at his disposal, the Hawkeyes definitely will go in as the favorites.
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It is make-or-break for Luka Garza in this tournament. Iowa has announced that Garza’s #55 will be retired after this season. Luka is graduating, so this year’s tournament is truly his last chance at an NCAA title. Let’s see how it goes for the Hawkeyes legend in his final March Madness run.
