The Man who saved Iowa Basketball, 2019;

[IowaNiceHawk]

No, not Fran.

This person developed his son into perhaps the
Best low post player, ever to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Thanks go out to Frank Garza, who worked with his son, Luka to
become a dominant center in BIG10 hoops.

Don't buy it?
Try to imagine where this program would be, right now, without
Luka Garza. Certainly not ranked #38 by Pomeroy and knocking on door
of Top 25.
go hawks !!!!!

 

[crstuff]

You're not wrong. Garza leading the B1G in scoring. It's his team with a struggling Jbo

 

[Ihawkhoops]

No doubt about it. You couldn't ask more from Garza on or off the court. Guy battles like the legendary Hawks we all reference when talking about heart, guts and determination. Never see him take a play off or whine about not getting a call (most of the time) despite not getting multiple calls last night after getting forearms to the head on rebounds.

I hope Garza shines like a beacon to high school kids with his skill set. Fran made a good find here and Garza has worked his ass off to improve. Great recruiting story to tell.

 

[wondergrape]

The answer to this question is Aaron White.

 

[TheCDiggity]

I always laugh when luka cant stand still when waiting for the ref to pass the ball to him for free throws.

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[boxahawks]

I also think he's the best, going back to my time at Iowa in the late 60's. Lohaus and Earl were two of my favorites, but I think Garza beats them all.

 

[LuteHawk]

Garza is one of the most warrior like
big men in the nation. He is only a Jr.
and he rebounds like a man possessed.
On offense he can drain a three pointer
or stuff one in under the basket.

Garza will be first team All-Big Ten at
the end of season. He out works and
out hustles the competition.

 

[TritonHawkeye]

I love me some Luka. The young man is a warrior and plays with incredible heart.

 

[Chishawk1425]

We got him over the likes of a Pitino lead Louisville, this was a home run get by Fran that he doesn't get enough credit for.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

I’ve got a major man crush on Luka, I cannot deny it. I enjoy seeing his dad at the games he’s always got a big smile on his face. Seems like a great guy.

 

[QChawks]

Thanks lute

 

[moondog24]

Luka is definitely "old school" -- a self-made player who has earned his way with hard work and effort. It is refreshing to see a young man who will likely be a 4 year collegiate player dominate the way he does against the "blue chippers". I would much rather coach and watch a team comprised of Luka Garzas than all the "one and done" blue chippers.

 

[RocknRollface]

I also think he's the best, going back to my time at Iowa in the late 60's. Lohaus and Earl were two of my favorites, but I think Garza beats them all.

Chris Street

 

[chuck285]

Garza is one of the most warrior like
big men in the nation. He is only a Jr.
and he rebounds like a man possessed.
On offense he can drain a three pointer
or stuff one in under the basket.

Garza will be first team All-Big Ten at
the end of season. He out works and
out hustles the competition.

No...He doesn't play for Maryland, Ohio St. or Michigan.
If he did, then he would have a chance....

 

[Rifler]

Anybody know what Frank Garza's story is?,.. sounds like he works very closely with Luka during the off season..

 

[jbrowser]

No, not Fran.

This person developed his son into perhaps the
Best low post player, ever to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Thanks go out to Frank Garza, who worked with his son, Luka to
become a dominant center in BIG10 hoops.

Don't buy it?
Try to imagine where this program would be, right now, without
Luka Garza. Certainly not ranked #38 by Pomeroy and knocking on door
of Top 25.
go hawks !!!!!

While I think Garza is very good, I do not think that he is the best low post player to ever play for Iowa. I happen to be old enough to have seen Chuck Darling play for Iowa. He was a consensus All-American in 1952 and a member of the the USA 1956 Olympic Team that won the Gold Medal. Although he was drafted number 8 in the first round of the NBA, he was a geology major and elected to play for the Phillips Oilers AAU team where he was a three time AAU All American. He had a terrific hook shot with either hand and was a great rebounder.

 

[ISUhawk]

While I think Garza is very good, I do not think that he is the best low post player to ever play for Iowa. I happen to be old enough to have seen Chuck Darling play for Iowa. He was a consensus All-American in 1952 and a member of the the USA 1956 Olympic Team that won the Gold Medal. Although he was drafted number 8 in the first round of the NBA, he was a geology major and elected to play for the Phillips Oilers AAU team where he was a three time AAU All American. He had a terrific hook shot with either hand and was a great rebounder.

Was his dad Briscoe?

 

[DanHawkPella]

I like how when players develop that credit is given to them (or their dad in this case), but when they don’t its the staffs fault.

The real answer is a combination of all of the above in every case. Sometimes hard to determine the weighting, however.

 

[SansSouci]

Next week the board will say he’s not a BIG caliber player.

 

[jbrowser]

Was his dad Briscoe?

His father's name was Elmer C. Darling, who had a long and varied career as an educator. His mother was an elementary teacher.

 

[ISUhawk]

His father's name was Elmer C. Darling, who had a long and varied career as an educator. His mother was an elementary teacher.

Thankyou

 

[shanksit44]

Like most of what I've seen so far this year. He's become a more complete inside player. Let's wait this thing out until he starts getting banged around in the BIG for a while to anoint him as the savior.

 

[hawkjt]

Big Fundamental aka Megan Guftason inside .so far this year.

 

[owenhawk]

QUOTE="DanHawkPella, post: 7157798, member: 314"]I like how when players develop that credit is given to them (or their dad in this case), but when they don’t its the staffs fault.

The real answer is a combination of all of the above in every case. Sometimes hard to determine the weighting, however.[/QUOTE]

That’s exactly right. So many times people in here whine about Fran not developing this guy or that guy but he and his staff nicer get any credit for contributing to the growth of Garza or White or Marble or Uthoff or Jok or Baer - all players that got a lot better during their time at Iowa.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

No...He doesn't play for Maryland, Ohio St. or Michigan.
If he did, then he would have a chance....

Iowa has had multiple first team all Big the last decade and Luka is a shoe in. They don’t keep the league’s leading scorer out of All Big.

 

[CJBauer]

Anybody know what Frank Garza's story is?,.. sounds like he works very closely with Luka during the off season..

He very much loves his son, but he's an absolute asshat to sit behind at a game...

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Loooooooooka!

 

[L. Wade Childress]

He very much loves his son, but he's an absolute asshat to sit behind at a game...

I’ve sat next to him and I thought he was hilarious.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

Like most of what I've seen so far this year. He's become a more complete inside player. Let's wait this thing out until he starts getting banged around in the BIG for a while to anoint him as the savior.

Ummmmm..........he's already played in the Big10 for two full seasons.
And quite well, actually. He has the best Inside/Outside complete game in Iowa BB history. Acie Earl was great, a better shot blocker, but Luka is much better offensively. Maybe the best in the Big10.
That being said..........he needs some help. Ryan Kreiner needs to bring it, like last year........and Cordell needs to lead too.
Go Hawk !!!

 

[CJBauer]

I’ve sat next to him and I thought he was hilarious.

I'm sure he was...big difference in next to and behind...

 

[Hawksfor3]

I'm sure he was...big difference in next to and behind...

Is this going where I think it is, or is it a "vision" thing?

 

[HawkRugged17]

Is this going where I think it is, or is it a "vision" thing?

 

[Hawksfor3]

Or flatulence or...

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

I also think he's the best, going back to my time at Iowa in the late 60's. Lohaus and Earl were two of my favorites, but I think Garza beats them all.

Brad Lohaus had few post moves, but was a very good 3 point shooting 7 foot BB player.

Luka just became only the 2nd player in IOWA Basketball history to score 44 points in a game. Johnny Johnson was the other. To drop 44 on Michigan was a thing of beauty.

 

[Legend12]

He very much loves his son, but he's an absolute asshat to sit behind at a game...

He needs to tell Luka's grandfather to quit taking shots at Joe W on Twitter.

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

Did I just skim thru this thread and not see Greg Stokes name mentioned??

 

[Loveblackandgold]

Like most of what I've seen so far this year. He's become a more complete inside player. Let's wait this thing out until he starts getting banged around in the BIG for a while to anoint him as the savior.

He dropped 44 on the maize and blue. Last time I checked MU is a Big Ten power, number 4 in the land, with a big Opie Taylor looking dude who is a banger. Garza is the real deal. Terrific footwork inside. Reincarnation of Kevin McHale.

 

[Cydkar]

He very much loves his son, but he's an absolute asshat to sit behind at a game...

This is correct.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

The Kevin McHale comparison is OK, however I do NOT remember McHale having much range on perimeter. Luka has a great 3 point shot in his repertoire. Go Hawks !