Luca Garza has experienced the agony of defeat for the last time as an Iowa Hawkeye.
Despite another great performance from the seniors, 2-seed Iowa gave a tough 7-seed Oregon win in Monday’s Round 2 matchup, 95-80. It was the Duck’s first game of the tournament after advancing past VCU without a contest due to COVID-19 issues.
The record books would state that Lova lost Monday’s matchup, but it was certainly not for Garza’s failure to show and perform. The 6-11, 265-pound senior, was a force in his final game, putting the game-highs in points (36) and rebellion (nine) on 14-of-20 shooting. He produced about half of the Hawkeyes’ scoring output.
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In spite of that Brave effort As for the Hawkeyes advancing to the Sweet 16, it was clear that their lack would put them at a disadvantage to get out early in the tournament. So when Garza left the court for the final time with about 36 seconds left, he wore his emotions on his sleeve for all of college basketball.
With this, Garza ends his career as Iowa’s all-time leading scorer, a two-time All-America selection and only the seventh player to win more than the Sporting News Player of the Year (and in 1982 Michael Jordan’s First after) 83). He could leave Iowa after the 2020 NCAA tournament was canceled and was still considered among the greats. But his commitment to the Hawkeyes prompted him to return once again with hopes of winning the national title.
Those expectations fell short on Monday, but this is no less than Garza’s Iowa career, in which he averaged 18.0 points per game, 7.3 assists per game, a 54.4 field goal percentage and a 36.2 3-point percentage. He was most impressive in his final two seasons with 23.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg, an average of two blocks per game and 54.4 percent from the field. He led Iowa to a 22–8 record and helped the Hawkeyes build their record for Big Ten wins in a season (14).
Garza should feel no shame for the tears he shed on Monday: he had an all-time career that he ultimately did not qualify for.
Such is life in March Madness.
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