"Hawk nation just respect his decision," McCaffery's tweet read.
That sentence led many Hawkeye fans to believe Garza was gone. Gone to the NBA. Or gone to play professionally overseas.
The tweet, though, turned out to be the ultimate troll job as Garza announced on social media around 12:15 p.m. Sunday that he was returning for his final season Iowa City.
"I love this place too much to leave it early," Garza said during a Zoom press conference on Sunday. "My heart is in Iowa City. It would have been hard to close the book without a last chapter."
McCaffery told the media on Sunday during a Zoom press conference that the tweet was indeed to have fun with the fans. And it came with Garza's approval and even a little pressure.
There is no doubt that Garza returning makes the Hawkeyes one of the favorites in the Big Ten Conference.
"The Big Ten goes through Iowa City," CBS Sports College Basketball Insider Jon Rothstein tweeted after the announcement.
Rothstein has Iowa in his ever-changing preseason top 5 as players from all over the country announce their plans to play or go. But Michigan State, Wisconsin and Illinois are all expected to be ranked in the top 10 as well.
It's easy to get behind this Hawkeye team. Garza is the leader after averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds per game last year but the Hawkeyes have seven players who could technically be labeled as "returning starters."
Joe Wieskamp averaged 14 points and six rebounds in 31 starts last year. C.J. Fredrick averaged 10 points per game and was one of the best 3-point shooters in the country, making 46 percent from long range.
McCaffery averaged four rebounds and four assists and had one of the top assist-to-turnover ratios in the nation, too.
Joe Toussaint even started 20 games as a freshman. And Patrick McCaffery is set to finally make his mark as he comes back from a redshirt season. He also gained some weight to help him get through a Big Ten Conference season.
And that's not counting Jordan Bohannon, who was limited to just 10 games last year, and Jack Nunge, who also had his season cut short because of an injury.
Bohannon could be the Big Ten's all-time leader in 3-point makes. And a lot of folks are forgetting about him because out of a sight out of mind.
The roster is constructed perfectly for a deep run. Dominant big man, plenty of outside threats and lots of experienced dudes who play with chips on their shoulders.
There aren't many guys on this team who will back down from a fight.
I would be shocked if this team didn't start the season in most preseason top 5s. Where they end up is still unknown but it'll be a disappointing season to at least not reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since Tom Davis was the coach.
"As teammates we were in support of Luka in whatever decision he made," Wieskamp said. "But we're obviously extremely excited to have him back. This team has a chance to do something really special this year."
This Hawkeye men's team will draw a lot of comparisons to the women's team that reached the Elite 8 a few years back. Garza is that's team Megan Gustafson and both teams feature experienced guards.
I would trade a football season this calendar year if it guaranteed we get a basketball season. That's not something I say every year, but for this one weird year, it applies.
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