NCAA Basketball: Powell, Garza lead National Player of the Year Power Rankings

Stats: 23.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg

Perhaps no one in the country has made as big of a leap in their production and impact as Luka Garza, who continues to cement his place as one of the game’s most efficient players.

The 6-11, 245-pounder is dominant down low on the block with a wide array of post moves, deft touch, and a propensity to draw fouls (31st nationally in fouls drawn per 40 minutes). Iowa knows he’s easily their best and most dominant player, as do opponents. But, as Michigan head coach Juwan Howard told reporters, that doesn’t mean they can stop him.

"“He’s proven that he’s one of the best college basketball players in the country. I didn’t know Garza last season, nor did I know him from an AAU circuit, but I had a chance to speak to Team Takeover and they talked about how his game has improved year after year. What I’ve witnessed thus far, the guy’s a player and all the hard work he’s put in is paying off.”"

Howard has had a front-row seat to two of Garza’s best performances. He scored 44 points against the Wolverines back in December and dropped 33 in a win over Michigan last weekend.

The junior has even taken his game to another level of late, keeping the Hawkeyes in the NCAA Tournament picture despite losing star guard Jordan Bohannon for the season. Iowa has won four games in a row following a loss at Nebraska and Garza has been at the center of that streak, averaging 27.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.

If he can somehow continue to produce at that level, and if Iowa challenges for the Big Ten title, Garza may very well win this award.