LUKA GARZA, IOWA
Stat line: 23.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks
Best performances: 44 points on 17-of-32 shooting in loss at then-No. 4 Michigan; 25 points and 17 rebounds in win against Penn State; 21 points and 18 rebounds in win at Wisconsin.
Intangibles: Garza brings a winning attitude to a program that has struggled to climb above mediocrity for years. Even in losses, he has largely willed the 25thranked Hawkeyes to stay in games with toughness that often had him leaving games with a bloodied nose or lip.
Why he’ll win: Garza is fifth nationally in scoring and his 15 double-doubles stack up well with anyone. The 6-11 junior has fluidity to his game to go with range that excites NBA scouts.
Why he won’t win: Iowa simply hasn’t won enough. The Hawkeyes lost by 38 points against unranked Purdue and by 12 a week later at Indiana, and defeats like those have prevented Garza from getting as much national hype afforded players on elite teams. scores the ball better. He is the only Division I player with at least three 40-point games as of Monday, while he has a national-best 15 games with 30-plus points, according to Sportradar.
Why he won’t win: Marquette’s lack of top-tier team success could work against him. The Golden Eagles (18-12) have been unranked most of the year and have lost six of seven entering the Big East Tournament. you’d want to take a big shot, but he hasn’t been particularly efficient. He wrestled with his outside shot for stretches and is shooting career-worsts of 39.8% overall and 30.6% on 3s.