NCAA Basketball: Carey, Winston lead National Player of the Year race

By Brian Rauf | Jan 10, 2020

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 03: Vernon Carey Jr. #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on while playing the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at the Breslin Center on December 03, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Duke won the game 87-75. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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ANN ARBOR, MI – DECEMBER 6: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Luka Garza. 9. player. 483. .

Stats: 22.1 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.9 bpg

Luka Garza has taken a major step forward this season, raising his average by a full nine points per game, yet didn’t enter the National Player of the Year conversation until his 44-point performance in early December against Michigan. It did come in a loss, but that game elevated his reputation to being one of the nation’s best.

Garza has maintained his high level of play since then, too. He scored 21 points and recorded double-doubles against both Minnesota and Iowa State before dropping 34 points against Penn State.

Unfortunately, the buzz around Garza has died a bit due to Iowa’s recent struggles. They’re only 1-3 in Big Ten play so far, though the 6-11 big man isn’t to blame for that. Garza is averaging a stunning 28.8 points and 12 rebounds per game against conference opponents, both of which are best in Big Ten play.

If Iowa can get back to winning big games – and not, you know, lose to teams like Nebraska as they did in their last outing – Garza’s star will rise once again. His stats are good enough to keep him in the All-American conversation but, as is the case with Howard and Marquette, the wins are going to have to start coming if he’s going to become a more serious candidate.

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