Luka Garza Floats Conspiracy Theory About Michigan State’s Home-Court Advantage
Iowa may have already wrapped up its regular-season clash with Michigan State-an early December loss in East Lansing-but that hasn’t stopped one of the program’s most recognizable alumni from stirring the pot. Former Hawkeye standout and current Boston Celtics center Luka Garza has floated a theory that’s equal parts eyebrow-raising and oddly specific: that Michigan State might be gaming the rims at the Breslin Center to fuel their second-half surges.
Garza dropped the take during a recent episode of the White Noise Podcast with Derrick & Welsh, co-hosted by Celtics teammate Derrick White. According to Garza, the Spartans may be intentionally choosing to shoot on a “bad rim” in the first half-one so unforgiving that you have to swish every shot to have a chance.
The idea? Michigan State takes the tougher end early, then flips the script after halftime, torching opponents on the “good” rim while their visitors can’t buy a bucket.
“I think Michigan State purposely puts the basket that they're going to shoot on in the first half on that side on purpose,” Garza said. “You have to swish it or it doesn’t go in. I think they do it to themselves so they’re down in the first half and then they come back in the second half.”
Garza doubled down on the theory, calling it “the worst rim in college basketball,” and suggesting that it’s all part of a deliberate strategy to flip the momentum after halftime. “They only shoot on it in the first half, so the other team comes in in the second half and can’t buy a bucket, and they always come back and win,” he added.
Now, whether you chalk this up to hardwood hijinks or postgame frustration, there’s no denying that Garza had his own share of struggles at the Breslin Center. During his four years at Iowa from 2017 to 2021, the Hawkeyes went 1-2 in East Lansing.
That lone win was a dominant 88-58 performance in 2021, but Garza’s individual numbers at the Breslin tell a tougher story. He shot just 1-for-10 in a 2018 game, followed by an 8-for-21 effort in 2020 and a 3-for-11 line in 2021.
Compare that to his performances against the Spartans at home in Iowa City, and the contrast is stark. Garza went 4-for-8 with 17 points in 2018, 8-for-14 for 20 in 2019, and 9-for-18 for 27 in 2021. Even though Iowa dropped two of those three games, Garza’s efficiency was clearly better when he wasn’t dealing with the rims in East Lansing.
So, is this just a former player venting about a tough venue, or is there something more to the Breslin Center’s second-half magic? Garza’s not the first visiting player to wonder aloud about Michigan State’s uncanny ability to flip the switch after halftime at home.
The Spartans have built a reputation under Tom Izzo for closing strong, especially within the friendly confines of their home court. Whether that’s about rim quality, crowd energy, or just classic Izzo halftime adjustments is up for debate.
But one thing’s for sure-Garza’s comments have added a new layer to the Breslin Center lore. And with both Iowa and Michigan State in the thick of the Big Ten race, it wouldn’t be surprising if this theory gets a little extra attention the next time the Spartans mount another second-half charge in East Lansing.