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Big Ten Basketball: Analyzing each team’s overall offense for 2020-21 season

By Trevor Sinodhinos

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines in action in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Isaiah Livers #2 of the Michigan Wolverines in action in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 25: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 25: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Iowa Hawkeyes

2019-20: 76.2 ppg in Big Ten play

Iowa Basketball who led the Big Ten in scoring last season will return everybody who started 20 games or more, one player who started 25 games will come off the bench and the one graduate and two transfers will be replaced by returning guys. Not to mention, the Big Ten Player of the Year decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to Iowa.

The Hawkeyes’ offense will once again run through 6’11 senior Luka Garza in the paint. Garza averaged just under 24 points last season and should surpass that this season, despite Garza being the obvious focal point Coach Fran McCaffery is going to have numerous options while handling his rotation.

Some say Garza has maxed out and will not improve this year, which could be true, but his competition is going to be easier. With Daniel Oturu, Matt Haarms, Kaleb Wesson, Jalen Smith, Mike Watkins, Jon Teske, and Xavier Tillman no longer in the Big Ten, things are going to be easier on a nightly basis for Garza versus their replacements.

Garza was so efficient last season shooting 59 percent on 13.6 two-pointers per game that Coach McCaffery was able to keep his playbook very simple. It consisted of getting across halfcourt, settle the ball down and pound it into Garza. Joe Toussaint (6.5 ppg) will be responsible for settling the offense as point guard. Toussaint gets his points off of fast breaks and turnovers and beating his defender off the dribble as Garza’s defender cannot help.

Jordan Bohannon will complete the small backcourt, and although he played just ten games last season, he averaged double-digit scoring his first three seasons while becoming Iowa’s all-time leader in made three-pointers, very important when spreading the defense for Garza, a role CJ Frederick (10.2 ppg) will fill while playing similar minutes off the bench.

Connor McCaffery will be backed-up by his younger brother Patrick McCaffery, who is one of the best storylines this season in his return. McCaffery only averaged five field goals last season, with three being from beyond the arc. While on the floor with Garza he can expect to do more of the same.

One reason why McCaffery put up so few shots, is due to 6’6 starting power forward Joe Weiskamp (14 ppg). The loss of Ryan Kriener is felt here, as he would receive post-entry passes from Garza on the perimeter. Weiskamp does create match-up problems for opposing power forwards as he sets up on the perimeter and makes three-pointers at a 35 percent rate. He also can put the ball on the floor then ‘stop and pop’ for a jumper.

Latest preseason power rankings for 2020-21. dark. Next

If the small line-up does not work, Jack Nunge, whose Big Ten breakout season was dependant upon Garza’s return, can start at power forward instead of backing up Garza. In the end Coach McCaffery should be able to run out ten guys, eight come tournament time in order to surround Garza and score if their defender leaves to double team.

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