Garza's Competition For POY

[DrewHawk33]

As most Iowa fans, I am biased that Luka is the best player in the country this year.

I watched the Dayton game against VCU last night and was able to see Obi Toppin for the first time in live game action. To say I was underwhelmed would be an understatement.

I know it's only one game, but he didn't impress. He had 12 pts, 5 rebs, 0 asts, 3 blks, and 4 to. The blocks came as a result of being able to help off of his man (who was not an offensive threat).

Personally, I think Toppin plays in a weak conference and if you dropped Toppin in the Big Ten, he would be a good player along the lines of Penn State's Lamar Stevens, but not a POY candidate.

IMO ESPN is hyping this guy due to his NBA potential.

GO LUKA!!

 

[Kurt Warner]

Luka should win it without a doubt

 

[Ronman]

Markus Howard of Marquette also had a pretty mediocre game last night against Creighton:

4 of 14 shooting(3-9 from three) for 13 points. He had 4 RB's and 5 assists, but also had 4 turnovers.

Payton Pritchard of Oregon keeps getting mentioned, but frankly, I don't think his numbers are that impressive. The Ducks play tomorrow night at Arizona St.

 

[Ballhawk1221]

A mediocre game from Luka is 22 and 8. He's the real deal.

 

[BaldHawk4Life]

I get trying to make a case that Howard and Topin has tough games. Look at Lukas stats early in the year. 17 against Tech, 9 against SDSU, 14 against DePaul. It’s the overall body of work and all players struggle. I hope Luka wins and I think he deserves it but there are other very capable candidates who jumped into that conversation earlier than Luka.

 

[El Simbolo]

there are other very capable candidates who jumped into that conversation earlier than Luka.

That’s the problem with many awards, it’s hard to win when your not on the radar early. Not impossible (think Shawn Greene or Joe Burrow) but harder if you and/or your team aren’t clearly better

 

[BaldHawk4Life]

That’s the problem with many awards, it’s hard to win when your not on the radar early. Not impossible (think Shawn Greene or Joe Burrow) but harder if you and/or your team aren’t clearly better

Agreed. And it really is about the whole picture but the more exposure they get to voters early the better chance they will have. I think if he comes back next year he will get it. He will have the exposure from day 1 - plus him and his dad are likeable.

 

[Hawkize31]

Kenpom likes Devon Dotson from Kansas as the only player over Garaza. I've only watched him against Iowa State and he was really good, dropping 29 points.
On the season he averages 18-4-4, 47% FGs, 30% 3PFG.
Compared to Garza's 23-9.7-1, 55% FGs, and 43% 3PFG, I like Garza tho.

If Kansas wins the Big 12 and Iowa finished 4th-ish, who knows if Garza's better stats will be enough to overcome a blue blood candidate.

 

[Eternal Return]

I watched a basketball game on Tuesday, don't remember which team it was because I was bouncing between games, and one announcer was bragging about how great some player for LSU or Kentucky or some team had scored in double figures fifteen games in a row. I just laughed and thought, "Garza's scored 20+ for 11 games in a row against some of the best bigs in the country as well as against near-constant double and triple teams. Who else in the nation can say that?"

 

[chuck285]

Like I have said before his odds aren't very good. His team isn't outstanding and he doesn't play for Kansas or Duke.....His only chance would be for the Hawks to win at the B1G tournament.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

Got to get the 'experts' opinion from the ESPN tool Dukie V. I am sure he will hype any one-and-done player from the ACC (especially his name sake school) over every Big 10 player.

 

[HawkBall23]

Seth Greenberg loves Garzilla.

 

[DrewHawk33]

I get trying to make a case that Howard and Topin has tough games. Look at Lukas stats early in the year. 17 against Tech, 9 against SDSU, 14 against DePaul. It’s the overall body of work and all players struggle. I hope Luka wins and I think he deserves it but there are other very capable candidates who jumped into that conversation earlier than Luka.

I'm not sure I completely agree with this. It seems often the national media has a "what have you done lately" type of mentality. This makes the tempered excitement for Garza a real head scratcher for me.

Don't get me wrong it should be a total body of work award. If that's the case Garza wins hands down. He has to bring it every night against some of the best big men in the country, in the toughest
conference top to bottom in the land.

He really does need a hype man, like Seth Greenberg, to get more publicity.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

Garza has NPOY wrapped up unless Iowa completely falls off the cliff to end the year.

 

[BaldHawk4Life]

I'm not sure I completely agree with this. It seems often the national media has a "what have you done lately" type of mentality. This makes the tempered excitement for Garza a real head scratcher for me.

Don't get me wrong it should be a total body of work award. If that's the case Garza wins hands down. He has to bring it every night against some of the best big men in the country, in the toughest
conference top to bottom in the land.

He really does need a hype man, like Seth Greenberg, to get more publicity.

I am totally with you... I was just commenting to the posters who were saying... 'Oh, look at Howard (or Topin), they had a bad game and Garza doesn't'. Garza had some rough games early but holy crap he has been bringing it against the best of the best night in and night out since conference play started. I agree that it is weird that everything with the NCAA media is a 'what have you done lately?' mentality and it isn't with him. Whatever... can you imagine if he isn't even a finalist? The motivation that kid will have going into next year is going to be crazy. Dude is a man amongst boys and I love it... and his attitude is a perfect fit for this team. Love the kid!

 

[David1979]

It will be very difficult for him to win POY because Iowa's not a top ten team. Guys Like Vernon Carey, Devin Dotson, Trey Jones, Udoka Azubuike, Obi Toppin, Jared Butler, Malachi Flynn probably have the best chance to win right now. You can win it not being on a top ten team but you have to have a lot of hype like Jimmer Fredette did.

Also, Toppin is really good. I watchin him in the Maui tournament this year and he put up great numbers against Georgia, Kansas and I believe Virginia Tech. Really versatile and is a good defender as well.

 

[iowalawhawk]

It surprised me that Garza has had more 20 point games this season than Markus Howard.

 

[DrewHawk33]

It will be very difficult for him to win POY because Iowa's not a top ten team. Guys Like Vernon Carey, Devin Dotson, Trey Jones, Udoka Azubuike, Obi Toppin, Jared Butler, Malachi Flynn probably have the best chance to win right now. You can win it not being on a top ten team but you have to have a lot of hype like Jimmer Fredette did.

Also, Toppin is really good. I watchin him in the Maui tournament this year and he put up great numbers against Georgia, Kansas and I believe Virginia Tech. Really versatile and is a good defender as well.

Yeah the media is hyping this guy off of his OT games against Kansas and Colorado early in the season. IMO, It's really easy to gear up for a couple of big games but really hard to sustain it over a span of multiple games.

Imagine Toppin playing in the Big Ten and getting beat on night in and night out. I bet he would have decent stats but IMO there would be no way he gets any POY publicity.

 

[David1979]

Yeah the media is hyping this guy off of his OT games against Kansas and Colorado early in the season. IMO, It's really easy to gear up for a couple of big games but really hard to sustain it over a span of multiple games.

Imagine Toppin playing in the Big Ten and getting beat on night in and night out. I bet he would have decent stats but IMO there would be no way he gets any POY publicity.

I think the hype comes too from Dayton being a legit final four contender this year and he is the best player on the team.

 

[Ronman]

I get trying to make a case that Howard and Topin has tough games. Look at Lukas stats early in the year. 17 against Tech, 9 against SDSU, 14 against DePaul. It’s the overall body of work and all players struggle. I hope Luka wins and I think he deserves it but there are other very capable candidates who jumped into that conversation earlier than Luka.

Luka only played 25 minutes against Depaul and SDSt. And it's just an indication of how high the bar has been raised for Luka when you consider his game against Tech (17 points, 12 rebounds) as being sub-standard.

 

[DrewHawk33]

I think the hype comes too from Dayton being a legit final four contender this year and he is the best player on the team.

This is a perfect example of the hype machine. What tournament teams have they beaten this year? Rhode Island?

 

[hawkster03]

Don't follow much BB anymore so forgive my ignorance. Will Garza return next year???

 

[nu2u]

Megan Gustafson was snubbed after a superb junior season.
She could not be ignored or denied her record setting senior season.
Garza will get the Gustafson treatment..

 

[David1979]

This is a perfect example of the hype machine. What tournament teams have they beaten this year? Rhode Island?

Rhode Island, St Marys, maybe VCU and Richmond. They are 5th in the NET rankings and 6th on Ken Pom. They are legit. It has nothing to do with hype.

 

[hawkeyekid]

I think the hype comes too from Dayton being a legit final four contender this year and he is the best player on the team.

If Dayton is a legit Final 4 team than so is Iowa.

 

[DrewHawk33]

Rhode Island, St Marys, maybe VCU and Richmond. They are 5th in the NET rankings and 6th on Ken Pom. They are legit. It has nothing to do with hype.

But this is exactly why I don't buy the hype. You are saying they have beat TWO for sure tournament teams.

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

But this is exactly why I don't buy the hype. You are saying they have beat TWO for sure tournament teams.

Exactly. Look at who they have played vs. Maryland and tell me that Dayton should be ranked higher than them? Maryland losses are all in the road (Seton Hall, PSU, IA, Wisc).

Dayton is a good team, but they get way to much credit for racking up wins vs. weak competition. They played one ranked team and lost (Kansas).

B1G teams play a much tougher competition and cannibalize each other.

 

[Wango Z Tango]

Games like tonite against a pretty good as of late Ohio St. team will be a fun test for Iowa and Luka G. AND of course going to East Lansing will be a difficult task. Curious to see how Izzo chooses to defend us. Game is at their place so no doubt a lot of hand checking and pushing.----Hope we win both but I think the easier bet would be that Mr. Garza gets his 20+ and 10.

 

[HungryHawk]

Exactly. Look at who they have played vs. Maryland and tell me that Dayton should be ranked higher than them? Maryland losses are all in the road (Seton Hall, PSU, IA, Wisc).

Dayton is a good team, but they get way to much credit for racking up wins vs. weak competition. They played one ranked team and lost (Kansas).

B1G teams play a much tougher competition and cannibalize each other.

Actually they have played two ranked teams including Colorado, but they lost that one too.

 

[David1979]

But this is exactly why I don't buy the hype. You are saying they have beat TWO for sure tournament teams.

Have you watched them this year? Have you seen their efficiency rankings and Net rankings? If you are good you are good regardless of schedule. And based on the metrics they have a better schedule than Gonzaga and San Diego State. Are you telling me those teams are overhyped as well?

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Have you watched them this year? Have you seen their efficiency rankings and Net rankings? If you are good you are good regardless of schedule. And based on the metrics they have a better schedule than Gonzaga and San Diego State. Are you telling me those teams are overhyped as well?

gotta play the best to be the best......

 

[TJHawkeye]

The other thing to consider is that because of our attrition this year, particularly scorers, Luka gets double or triple teamed and still gets his numbers. Those other teams all have more weapons to take pressure off one star player. Luka is a stud.

 

[El Simbolo]

Have you watched them this year? Have you seen their efficiency rankings and Net rankings? If you are good you are good regardless of schedule. And based on the metrics they have a better schedule than Gonzaga and San Diego State. Are you telling me those teams are overhyped as well?

Quite possibly

 

[DrewHawk33]

Have you watched them this year? Have you seen their efficiency rankings and Net rankings? If you are good you are good regardless of schedule. And based on the metrics they have a better schedule than Gonzaga and San Diego State. Are you telling me those teams are overhyped as well?

This is too funny for me not to dredge it up!

 

[kceasthawk]

Agreed. And it really is about the whole picture but the more exposure they get to voters early the better chance they will have. I think if he comes back next year he will get it. He will have the exposure from day 1 - plus him and his dad are likeable.

Really, so this kid from Dayton Obi Toppin who folks are blathering about is getting more exposure then the player of the year in the nations best bball conference? Dayton?

 

[Zildjian6868]

Dude got 4 stitches and came back into the game.

 

[BubsFinn]

Like I have said before his odds aren't very good. His team isn't outstanding and he doesn't play for Kansas or Duke.....His only chance would be for the Hawks to win at the B1G tournament.

I agree that how the team does in the conference, BTT, and NCAA will matter. If the Hawks slide their way into the BTT, get bounced early, and end up a 9 seed, Luka does not win PotY, no matter how he himself plays. A win in East Lansing would be huge for Luka and the rest of the team.

 

[David1979]

This is too funny for me not to dredge it up!

What’s funny?

 

[BaldHawk4Life]

Really, so this kid from Dayton Obi Toppin who folks are blathering about is getting more exposure then the player of the year in the nations best bball conference? Dayton?

That’s why I said the more exposure they get early. Toppin got tons of exposure in Maui and had a lot of buzz early. Garza came on too late in my opinion. I absolutely agree with you about him at Dayton in comparison to what Luka is doing in the B1G. Just don’t think it matters in the eyes of the talking heads. I could be wrong but I just don’t see the National people giving it to Luka this year.

 

[kceasthawk]

That’s why I said the more exposure they get early. Toppin got tons of exposure in Maui and had a lot of buzz early. Garza came on too late in my opinion. I absolutely agree with you about him at Dayton in comparison to what Luka is doing in the B1G. Just don’t think it matters in the eyes of the talking heads. I could be wrong but I just don’t see the National people giving it to Luka this year.

I'm not saying he'll win it, (he probably won't), but he's been doing this Garzilla impressionation for most of the year, and certainly the entire conference season, and the BIG is obviously the best conference. He still has the last four games, and the BIG tourney to show his mettle. Not sure when they wrap the voting so I'm not counting whatever he does in the NCAA, but Luka still has at least a half dozen games against Quad 1 teams to strut his stuff.