Garza's defense

[hawkeyeguy69]

Yes, we know that Luka is not the fastest cat on the court. But it seems that his defensive effort has been lacking. Especially of late. Is it the Nunge factor...?

Garza's on ball screen defensive performance has been most notable. Is the plan for someone to give some backside help, but they are not picking it up?? It has me bewildered that he does not follow his guy to the bucket. It happened 3+ times a game lately.

He is also not aggressively going after players. When he gets beat, he just lets them score. No attempt to defend the shot.

Is some of this on the coaches?? That is, since Nunge is down we need Luka to be less aggressive on the defensive side, as we have no backup... Maybe? It just seems like once Garza has that 2nd foul, his defensive intensity goes way south.

Offensively, Luka should destroy OU. Very much looking forward to it! Tomorrow should be interesting! The Hawks are going to need to bring that energy, and quick ball movement. Should be a fun game.

Go Hawks! fOU!

 

[kcgolfer]

Losing Nunge was a huge blow. Luka knows he can’t foul. He is also playing a few more minutes than usual.

 

[hawks_dg]

If I'm not mistaken, his blocks are up since Nunge has been out, but I might be wrong on that. He's asked to cover more ground (when man to man) and that is eating up some extra energy. So when they go to Zone, it may be to give him a breather. Regardless, I don't think it's his defense, yes he's a bit slower, but he's still doing well.

 

[MWardT]

This game feels like the kind of game where Iowa doesn’t need 25 points from Garza - and instead need solid defense and rebounding.

 

[QChawks]

He has really slow feet. Quick bigs eat him alive.

he’s never brought a ton on defense, he’s an offensive mastermind though

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Losing Nunge was a huge blow. Luka knows he can’t foul. He is also playing a few more minutes than usual.

Nunge going down was definitely huge! He would have had a great tournament. Here is to his quick and FULL recovery. We will most certainly need him all of next year!

Luka can't foul, is right. It is hindering his defensive aggressiveness.

 

[jonesy5960]

My biggest fear defensively tomorrow is the Hawks getting pick and rolled to death forcing them to go zone and we know what that looks like. The Hawks D hasn't looked all that solid the last couple games as Luka has struggled to contain his man down low.

 

[ChiDoc]

It’s going to be fascinating watching the Garza vs Omoruyi (#2) matchup. Both are a huge mismatch for the other one on offense. Who blinks and/or goes zone first? He plays bigger than 6’6, his wingspan must be 6’9 or so.

People are underestimating Chris Duarte as well. A lot of people think he’s a sure fire first rounder. He boasts the best effective field goal percentage, true shooting percentage and offensive box plus-minus in the Pac-12, and looks very athletic. He’s also an elite defender, he was second in the PAC 12 in steal % last year and this year he leads the conference in that mark (3.3 percent). Since 2008 the only high-major players with an effective field goal % and steal % as good as his are Zion Williamson, Mikal Bridges and Victor Oladipo. He’s a beast.

 

[RocknRollface]

My biggest fear defensively tomorrow is the Hawks getting pick and rolled to death forcing them to go zone and we know what that looks like. The Hawks D hasn't looked all that solid the last couple games as Luka has struggled to contain his man down low.

I would rather Luka foul out or only play half the game than Iowa resort to zone for any extended amount of time.

Outside of Luka Iowa matches up with Oregon fine.

If he's to much of a liability defensively and can't get it back on the other end put Keegan at the 5 for longer stretches.

 

[ChiDoc]

Outside of Luka Iowa matches up with Oregon fine.

Duarte is a BEAST, and gives 90% of the teams in the country a huge matchup problem.