I mean, he’s always a little nuts, but…
Can’t believe we didn’t sweep them. Illinois, Iowa, minny and Ohio st games were just frustrating. Even without livers they should have pulled those out but couldn’t finish the games/ pull away when they had second half leads.
Iowa having that giant FT advantage (30-5) didn’t help.
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I can’t imagine the yearly torment of being an Iowa basketball fan. Rip on Turgeon all you want, but I’d take him over McCaffrey any day.
I heard they were down to 6 scholarship players after Fredrick’s injury? That’s what I saw from some Iowa fans on Reddit. Although those same fans said Garza was above average on defense so take it for what it’s worth 
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This article says they were down to eight before the injury (would be nine but Cordell Pemsl stayed behind due to suspension). So it looks like those guys miscounted.
The Hawkeyes already have lost forward Jack Nunge (ACL), guard Jordan Bohannon (left hip surgery) and probably forward Patrick McCaffery for the season. They were already down to eight scholarship players Thursday, with forward Cordell Pemsl staying home for a one-game suspension.
So 7 then. Still rough. Will be interesting if they can stay away from the Fran Collapse
What do we say here?
If Fredrick misses significant time I can definitely see them sputtering to the finish line as per usual.
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Meh. He has been absolutely dominant on that one end though. And who else is your POY then? Oturu’s team isn’t good, Winston doesn’t play great defense in his own right. I guess you could make a case for Jalen Smith if Maryland wins the league, but I have a feeling they are going to lose a bunch of games down the stretch with their brutal schedule. So then who else? I suppose Lamar Stevens will have a case if PSU wins the league.
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Here’s my take:
Garza is having a historically efficient and productive offensive season.
On the other hand, his team is ranked 13th in the Big Ten PPP allowed and 2P% allowed.
I think it comes down to where Iowa finishes in the Big Ten.
Lamar Stevens? His efficiency still isn’t pretty but PSU is about to finish top-3 in the league for the first time…ever?
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Yeah I think Lamar Stevens may be the closest contender, especially if PSU finishes strong
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I think Sticks is the best candidate right now.
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Jalen Smith won’t win because the narrative is so far past him already. But if I were building a team I’d take Jalen before Garza for sure. Not sure I’d have Garza in my top 5 of guys from the B1G I’d take to build a team. So no I don’t think he’s the best player in the conference but I’m fine with him winning Conference POY just cause his offense has been so good. Definitely don’t think he should win NPOY or 1st Team AA. That should be reserved for all around great players.
I agree at this snapshot in time Smith might be Garza’s best competiton. I just think they are about to lose a bunch of games with this schedule coming up:
H-NW, MSU, MI
A-MSU, OSU, MINN, RTGR
I could easily see them going like 2-5 or 3-4 down the stretch. If they don’t win the league, his scoring numbers just don’t compare to Garza’s so it would be hard. If they win the league, Smith is probably the guy though.
Iowa may only win 2 more games as well.
If Maryland wins the league I think Jalen Smith makes a lot of sense however I could see Stevens getting it as a sort of “Lifetime Achievement” thing, especially if PSU finishes in the top-3
As long as Cassius doesn’t win it, I don’t care who does. I’m clearly biased, but really don’t want to see a guy who flops as much as him rewarded. He’s already rewarded by never getting the push off called, so he doesn’t need individual awards too.
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My pick would definitely be Jalen Smith. Centerpiece of a top 5 defense and a high level offensive player as well.