Big Ten Basketball: Luka Garza, Minnesota and other takeaways of the week
By Ryan Kay
Minnesota remains undefeated at home in Big Ten play
After their 75-69 victory over Penn State this week, the Gophers have now defeated the Nittany Lions, Michigan, Northwestern, and Ohio State on their home court in Big Ten play. Minnesota’s only Big Ten losses have been on the road but on their home court, they have shown the ability to be consistent and finds ways to beat quality opponents at home.
This week in the Gophers victory over the Nittany Lions, Daniel Oturu once again had an outstanding performance. He had his sixth double-double in Big Ten play as he finished the game with 26 points and 14 rebounds. His counterpart who also has played very well in Big Ten play Marcus Carr had an amazing game with 27 points. Oturu and Carr are making a very strong case for the top duo in the Big Ten this season.
Luka Garza is making himself a case for Big Ten player of the year
Even though Michigan State’s Cassius Winston is still the front runner to win the Big Ten player of the year award, Iowa’s Garza is making a strong case for it as well. In the first half alone, Garza was 6 for 10 from the field with 18 points, three rebounds, and a block (33 points total) in his way to leading Iowa in their victory over Michigan. Garza has been a scoring machine.
He is leading the Big Ten in scoring averaging just over 22 points per game. His season-high was 44 points when Iowa played at Michigan back in December. He has scored 27 or more points five times this season. He is the leader for the Hawkeyes and he has scored 21 or more points in 5 of his last 6 games. He not only looks to win the Big Ten scoring title but his impressive performance this week against the Wolverines helps him make a case for Big Ten Player of the Year.