Another terrific game from Luka Garza at Philly

[IowaNiceHawk]

Luka had something like 35 points, a double-double, a few Blocked shots
& yet you get some **$#**! on HR nagging about free throws.

How about someone else just stepping up and giving the
All American a hand, here?

Good Grief.................GO HAWKS !!!!

 

[DougFHawkeye]

Luka had something like 35 points, a double-double, a few Blocked shots
& yet you get some **$#**! on HR nagging about free throws.

How about someone else just stepping up and giving the
All American a hand, here?

Good Grief.................GO HAWKS !!!!

Joe W had 23 points and 10 boards and Joe T had 18 points.

 

[BirdistheWord]

Ideally CJF doesn't get hurt but agree that maybe Connor or Evelyn could have gotten us 3-4 more points.

People are somewhat frustrated as 1. FT's should be easy points and 2. Luka went from 82% last year to 62% this year

Luka did just about everything else that he could, to your point.

 

[Hawkaholic73]

Being undermanned and playing in a gym that was 80+ degrees and high humidity had the boys gassed at the end. Valiant effort.

Go Hawks!

 

[perryhawk]

As the announcers said, what more is there to say about Luka.....stud, we all know what he can and will do consistently now.

I also get that the dip in free throw percentage and missing those key ones bothers people...the good news? It bothers no one more than Luka and we have seen that when he is unhappy about a part of his game he goes out and works to correct it.

You know he was unhappy about the free throw shooting and we should know just as well that he will concentrate on fixing it...I will be surprised if we don't see improved free throw shooting from Luka going forward.

One of the many reasons all of us fans should love this kid is his attitude/approach to how to play the game...we can add work ethic, in game effort, skills, etc. etc.

 

[IllQChawk]

As the announcers said, what more is there to say about Luka.....stud, we all know what he can and will do consistently now.

I also get that the dip in free throw percentage and missing those key ones bothers people...the good news? It bothers no one more than Luka and we have seen that when he is unhappy about a part of his game he goes out and works to correct it.

You know he was unhappy about the free throw shooting and we should know just as well that he will conce ntrate on fixing it...I will be surprised if we don't see improved free throw shooting from Luka going forward.

One of the many reasons all of us fans should love this kid is his attitude/approach to how to play the game...we can add work ethic, in game effort, skills, etc. etc.

No, that was not the case, most on here fretted about the loss of Cook and that Iowa had no one to replace him. Fast forward to today and Luka is not only turning heads but is also producing offensive totals that equal both Cooks and Luka's. Unfortunately that still may not be enough to get Iowa enough wins to make the NCAA tournament. The guys a warrior and it's too bad that injuries and lack of consistent 3rd scorer might bring this team down. The only way Iowa is going to win, is to outscore it's opponents because Fran has never ever coached defense in his life and if you doubt that, just look at his past record at Iowa...enough said.

 

[fivecardstud14]

No, that was not the case, most on here fretted about the loss of Cook and that Iowa had no one to replace him. Fast forward to today and Luka is not only turning heads but is also producing offensive totals that equal both Cooks and Luka's. Unfortunately that still may not be enough to get Iowa enough wins to make the NCAA tournament. The guys a warrior and it's too bad that injuries and lack of consistent 3rd scorer might bring this team down. The only way Iowa is going to win, is to outscore it's opponents because Fran has never ever coached defense in his life and if you doubt that, just look at his past record at Iowa...enough said.

Pretty bad memory you have if you think most on here were fretting the loss of Cook.

 

[perryhawk]

No, that was not the case, most on here fretted about the loss of Cook and that Iowa had no one to replace him. Fast forward to today and Luka is not only turning heads but is also producing offensive totals that equal both Cooks and Luka's. Unfortunately that still may not be enough to get Iowa enough wins to make the NCAA tournament. The guys a warrior and it's too bad that injuries and lack of consistent 3rd scorer might bring this team down. The only way Iowa is going to win, is to outscore it's opponents because Fran has never ever coached defense in his life and if you doubt that, just look at his past record at Iowa...enough said.

You’re actually not tracking what I’m saying...because I didn’t clarify. As to depending on Luka I’m not referring to last year. I’m talking about what we’ve come to expect as we close in on the halfway point in the season.

As to Fran’s teams and defense...that has also been discussed at length on these boards...and though it’s not the norm, Fran has had some decent defensive teams.

 

[blhawk]

The good news is nobody will be harder on Luka about missing those free throws than Luka. He hasn't been great all yr at line but fatigue had to be a factor down stretch with how intense game was and the heat. That was ridiculous. I bet hes near 70 by end of yr

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

If I know Luka, ( and I don't ) he will work hard on his FTs and make some critical shots down the road...

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

If I know Luka, ( and I don't ) he will work hard on his FTs and make some critical shots down the road...

He's have an All American type year. For any couch dwelling fan to somehow know him for missing a couple shots............

Moving right along.......

 

[hawkisak]

Missed FT's where more about fatigue than anything else IMO....Luka had to play extended minutes and busted his hump the entire game.

 

[HawkLogic]

Pretty obvious Luka is THE key player on the team and1st team All-American caliber, though all of them are key in some sense now that there is barely a bench.

The lack of defense is a Fran problem. Two B1G road games, Fran has given up about 95pts per game.


I can see running fast pace to try to setup Garza with the ball before the defense sets, but then you are trading off giving up fast break points the other way and playing a lot of lame zone defense to rest a team that doesn't have enough players.

Bo Ryan would get more out of this team than Fran is likely to get this year. Bennet from Virginia would get more than Fran will likely get this year. The loss of Jbo is huge hit and losing Moss is a hit. Maybe Patrick plays and gives some depth, but guard depth is missing anyway you cut it.

 

[CyberJJ]

He's have an All American type year. For any couch dwelling fan to somehow know him for missing a couple shots............

Moving right along.......

I love his effort. He has absolutely great hands and catches balls in the post in traffic that would be turnovers for many teams. Not sure he gets recognized enough for that skill. His footwork in the post on offense is great as he is patient to get the shot he wants. He is avoiding fouls much better this year by focusing on good defensive positioning which has helped him draw some charges too. While not a great jumper, he is so long and has good technique that he is very effective at rebounding, especially offensive rebounding, without fouling. He seems to have the quick ability to go up while staying long (not having to bring his arms down to gather himself before going back up) that reminds me of how Kevin McHale rebounded. His motor is tremendous as I don't see him take a play off.

Having said that, every player can be coached and critiqued. FT shooting was surprising the other day has he has shot better in the past, but he is logging heaving minutes and working hard that being tired can impact the legs. He is getting critiqued not "for missing a couple of shots" as you stated above, but because he missed 7 of 14. Luka didn't cost them the game, rather he kept them in it, but those misses contributed. I believe the concern is that with more limited scoring options with some of the injuries, people expect to see "Hacka Luka" much of the season until he proves he can hit them more consistently, especially late in games when he is tired.

You can praise the weakest players on a team when they do something well, and you can coach the best players as no one is perfect. In fact, the best players actually want feedback. I heard and interview with Phil Jackson once and he was asked how you coach Michael Jordan. It was interesting that they would put shoeprint layouts on the floor and he would practice steps and launch points for those seemingly created on the spot great moves on TV in games...yet those were practiced and coached.