Fact, indisputable it seems, Luka Garza is one of the most improved players, year over year, in the country. He is perhaps the most improved, ever, in Iowa BB history, on a one year jump.
Analysis:
Luka has worked hard to become much more fit. He is more muscular with great endurance and a high performance diesel engine that keeps on going.
Luka is better this year because he hasn't had to recover from some pretty serious surgery, like last year.
Luka has developed a long range shot that forces big men to go outside to defend, or if not, better yet, he can shoot it and is pretty decent at it and seems unafraid to let it fly from 3 range.
Luka has developed many post moves, short flip or jump shots, and overall gets great position and works at it until he gets in a good spot to accept the ball.
Luka has that "It" some players have, to draw a lot of fouls.
Luka has had many more opportunities to score this year. He is the featured Aircraft Carrier on the team. He can shoot, or pass, but is used primarily as a scorer.
Luka has players on his team who have taken hold of team play, and are unselfish enough to get the ball to him, when he is in good spots. Pemsl, CMac, Toussaint and the others who aren't big scoring threats seem to enjoy getting it to the big guy.
Luka has developed physically but also mentally, with a desire to be better, and is now a player who is teeming with confidence. This confidence seems to have infected the team. It is leadership, 101.
To finish my analysis, I believe this one of the main reasons Luka has had such a great year. Iowa now has outside shooters, who can shoot, who will shoot and are good at it and can get their shots off. Neither Joe W nor CJ can be left alone. The same is also true of Kriener when he is in the game with Luka. It is very risky for a team to leave any of these shooters alone for free fire drills from long range. Teams have been forced to pick their poison and attempt to stop Luka one on one whenever possible. So, to Iowa's advantage, teams are having to "pick their poison" on how to defend The Hawkeyes. This is a new dynamic to Iowa's teams. Luka also benefits the team with his ability to pass if team's do decide to double him up.
Shooters who can make shots and get shots off and are unafraid to shoot are a great help to Luka's overall game and the success of the team to this point. The team has fight, resiliency, tenacity (Toussaint ++) and chemistry. The team is imperfect and will lose, probably some they should win, like most teams. But this team is different, it seems, it seems like they can go places, and get it done. We know they will give it their best shot. There aren't many "head hangers" on this club.
My two cents, comments?
Analysis:
Luka has worked hard to become much more fit. He is more muscular with great endurance and a high performance diesel engine that keeps on going.
Luka is better this year because he hasn't had to recover from some pretty serious surgery, like last year.
Luka has developed a long range shot that forces big men to go outside to defend, or if not, better yet, he can shoot it and is pretty decent at it and seems unafraid to let it fly from 3 range.
Luka has developed many post moves, short flip or jump shots, and overall gets great position and works at it until he gets in a good spot to accept the ball.
Luka has that "It" some players have, to draw a lot of fouls.
Luka has had many more opportunities to score this year. He is the featured Aircraft Carrier on the team. He can shoot, or pass, but is used primarily as a scorer.
Luka has players on his team who have taken hold of team play, and are unselfish enough to get the ball to him, when he is in good spots. Pemsl, CMac, Toussaint and the others who aren't big scoring threats seem to enjoy getting it to the big guy.
Luka has developed physically but also mentally, with a desire to be better, and is now a player who is teeming with confidence. This confidence seems to have infected the team. It is leadership, 101.
To finish my analysis, I believe this one of the main reasons Luka has had such a great year. Iowa now has outside shooters, who can shoot, who will shoot and are good at it and can get their shots off. Neither Joe W nor CJ can be left alone. The same is also true of Kriener when he is in the game with Luka. It is very risky for a team to leave any of these shooters alone for free fire drills from long range. Teams have been forced to pick their poison and attempt to stop Luka one on one whenever possible. So, to Iowa's advantage, teams are having to "pick their poison" on how to defend The Hawkeyes. This is a new dynamic to Iowa's teams. Luka also benefits the team with his ability to pass if team's do decide to double him up.
Shooters who can make shots and get shots off and are unafraid to shoot are a great help to Luka's overall game and the success of the team to this point. The team has fight, resiliency, tenacity (Toussaint ++) and chemistry. The team is imperfect and will lose, probably some they should win, like most teams. But this team is different, it seems, it seems like they can go places, and get it done. We know they will give it their best shot. There aren't many "head hangers" on this club.
My two cents, comments?
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