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Big Ten Basketball: 3 big surpises of 2019-20 season so far

By Jack Bennett

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Zavier Simpson #3 and Eli Brooks #55 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Zavier Simpson #3 and Eli Brooks #55 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes handles the ball during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes handles the ball during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Garza shinning for Hawkeyes

Iowa big man Luka Garza has instantly become one of the Big Ten’s most talented big men. In a league that includes Jalen Smith, Kofi Cockburn, Trayce Jackson-Davis and John Teske, Garza has been right up at the head of the pack.

Having a career year so far, the 6’11 junior is averaging 20 ppg and 10 rpg, both of which are significantly higher than any previous season average.

In last year’s campaign, Garza averaged just over 13 ppg and 4.5 rebounds while almost in a support role to starter Tyler Cook. During the 2017-18 season, Garza averaged a point less in just over 12 ppg but was able to pull down over 6.5 rebounds per game.

His fast start has been a shot in the arm for an Iowa team that was blown out at home by DePaul (who is still undefeated) and has now won five of their last six including a win over then #12 Texas Tech at the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational.

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Given that Garza can continue this torrid pace, he only strengthens a Hawkeyes team that already has sharpshooter Jordan Bohannon, do-it-all guard Joe Wieskamp and Connor McCaffery (4.8 assists/game). As of now it seems to me that if Luka goes, the Hawkeyes go.

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