Stats: 23.0 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.8 bpg
Kinda funny how a player can score 21 points in back-to-back games and still slide down one spot, huh?
That’s the case for Luka Garza, however, after he recorded 21 points and 18 rebounds in a win over Wisconsin along with 21 points and four rebounds in a loss to Maryland.
Despite the still-gaudy numbers, it’s undeniable that Garza’s impact wasn’t the same. The junior shot a measly 35.3 percent against Wisconsin, racking up most of his points from the foul line. Against Maryland, he still shot well below his season average and was limited on the boards as he was outplayed by Terps big man Jalen Smith.
Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery chalked that up to foul trouble after the game, which certainly played a role. Garza was limited to just 25 minutes due to foul trouble and was more passive than normal in an effort to avoid making it worse.
"“He’s pretty good, typically, at staying vertical and staying out of foul trouble, recognizing how important he is to our team and staying on the floor. He’s an aggressive guy so obviously sometimes it’s going to happen. “We’re a different team with Luka. The more he’s out there, the better we are. That kind of changes everything. Others have to step up.”"
The 6-11, 245-pounder does get a bit of a pass because of his foul trouble and because of how he played against Maryland in their first meeting (21 points, 13 rebounds), yet the decrease in efficiency is something that can’t become a trend.
With matchups next week against Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn and Purdue’s huge front line, he’ll continue to be tested in that area.