USA Today via Reuters
Dec 3, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) goes to the basket as Western Illinois Leathernecks forward Rod Johnson Jr. (11) defends during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 3, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) goes to the basket as Western Illinois Leathernecks forward Rod Johnson Jr. (11) defends during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Men’s Basketball action will continue when two of the top-ranked teams in the country face off. The Iowa Hawkeyes will face the North Carolina Tar Heels. While the Tar Heels have an illustrious history, the Hawkeyes are the force right now. Iowa is ranked number three in the country, while UNC are at a respectable number 16.
The Hawkeyes are still unbeaten this season with a record of 3-0. The Tar Heels had a similarly strong start, but dropped their fourth game to the Texas Longhorns. Coming off that loss, this is a hard matchup for the Tar Heels. This is the first meeting between the teams in 6 years. The Hawkeyes won that battle in a low-scoring 60-55 game in 2014.
"(Luka Garza) is really good. He has gotten better every year. Luka is the real deal. He is expected to be one of the best players in the country, 𝙞𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩."
— UNC Head Coach Roy Williams#Hawkeyes
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) December 7, 2020
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But how will things shake out in 2020? Do the seemingly unstoppable Hawkeyes power through another strong team, or do the Tar Heels halt this powerhouse’s momentum?
NCAA Men’s Basketball: How do you stop the Hawkeyes?
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A better question, how do you stop Luka Garza? The senior has proven that no other player is on the same level as his talent. Garza already looks like an early favorite for Naismith Player of Year, evidenced by his record-breaking numbers at the start of the season. However, UNC is one of the few teams that actually have versatile bigs to put opposite Garza.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 3, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes center Luka Garza (55) and guard Joe Wieskamp (10) and guard CJ Fredrick (5) and guard Jordan Bohannon (3) come off the court during the second half against the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The responsibility to contain Garza may fall with Garrison Brooks, who went to the same high school as Garza. However, Brooks is nursing an ankle injury, so he may be unable to play the game. Even if he plays, you don’t want to be limping, heading into a matchup with Garza. But this is one of those big games where players take risks to play.
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As a result, we have Brooks starting for UNC. Joining him will be Caleb Love, R.J. Davis, Armando Bacot, and Leaky Black. The Hawkeyes will take the floor with Jordan Bohannon, C.J. Frederick, Joe Wieskamp, Connor McCaffrey, and Luka Garza.
As for a prediction, it seems like it is Garza’s world and we are just living in it. His skill-set is very refined for college, and he has the size to dominate at this level. Hopefully, UNC can employ their rotation of bigs to take care of him.
