Indiana University Athletics
Sunday, November 20
Indianapolis, Ind.
5:30 PM
Indiana University
vs
Miami (OH)
‘Tough’ Hoosiers Face Miami in Quick Turnaround
11/20/2022 12:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Malik Reneau finds Indiana basketball truth and perspective.
It matters now, and for the future.
Trayce Jackson-Davis calls Reneau, a 6-9 freshman forward of enormous talent, a "matchup nightmare." In three off-the-bench performances, Reneau has 36 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks while averaging just 16.3 minutes a game.
Asked about Jackson-Davis's description of him, and Reneau offers this with a smile:
"Because teams are too worried about Trayce."
Then there's the implications of IU's huge 81-79 victory at Xavier Friday night. The Hoosiers lost seven points of a late eight-point lead before hanging on.
"We're tough, we're together and we'll find a way to win every time," Reneau said.
This is refreshing, enlightening and encouraging as the No. 12 Hoosiers (3-0) eye a quick turnaround with Sunday night's Hoosier Classic opener against Miami University (1-3) at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Winning on the road has been a challenge for IU the last half decade or so. Not any more, it seems.
"This is how we're different from the past," Jackson-Davis said. "A lot of teams I've been a part of, we would have folded in situations like that. That's a narrative we're trying to change. We finish games. That's what we really focused on."
Beyond that, Jackson-Davis said, winning on the road reflects the potential of a team favored to win the Big Ten.
"We had high expectations coming into the year. This was our first big test. It's really good for our team.
"I'm glad that the younger guys (Reneau and fellow freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino) got the experience in this game. I'm glad we won. This will only boost their confidence."
Entering the season, there was plenty of buzz about Jackson-Davis' perimeter game, especially from three-point range.
Buzz crashes against this reality: Jackson-Davis has yet to take a 3-pointer this year, but who cares when he averages career bests in scoring (22.0) and shooting (75.7%). In the last two games, he's made 22-of-26 shots.
On Friday night, Jackson-Davis was an inside beast with 30 points on 13-for-16 shooting, even with Xavier's imposing size and stop-him emphasis.
Musketeers coach Sean Miller credited Jackson-Davis's experience.
"It's really hard to double-team him," Miller said. "Maybe more difficult today than it would have been a year, two or three years ago.
"Because of that, you have to guard him one-on-one. The way he plays, he's almost as adept off the lane driving as he is in the low post. His efficiency, it's hard to overcome that."
Added Jackson-Davis: "The younger guys haven't played in a hostile environment, but I have. I took the load. I was willing to do whatever I needed to."
Victory came with lessons to learn.
Against Xavier, both Reneau and senior guard Xavier Johnson were hit with technical fouls for, in essence, looking at the Musketeers the wrong way after making big baskets. It comes as the NCAA tries to minimize anything that could be considered taunting.
Coach Mike Woodson said he addressed it with both players.
"I'm going to stay on them about that because that can be the difference in winning and losing. If you make a shot, you're supposed to make a shot. If you make a dunk or a layup, that's what you're supposed to do. So, you don't have to taunt and do all the unnecessary things that get us in trouble.
"That's just not professional to me."
Miami is led by first-year head coach Travis Steele, who was part of IU's coaching staff from 2006-08. The Redhawks have losses to Evansville, Georgia and Marshall. Guard Mekhi Lairy is the top player. He averages 16.5 points and 3.8 rebounds.
The Hoosier Classic will wrap up by Friday. IU will host Little Rock on Wednesday and Jackson State on Friday.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Malik Reneau finds Indiana basketball truth and perspective.
It matters now, and for the future.
Trayce Jackson-Davis calls Reneau, a 6-9 freshman forward of enormous talent, a "matchup nightmare." In three off-the-bench performances, Reneau has 36 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks while averaging just 16.3 minutes a game.
Asked about Jackson-Davis's description of him, and Reneau offers this with a smile:
"Because teams are too worried about Trayce."
Then there's the implications of IU's huge 81-79 victory at Xavier Friday night. The Hoosiers lost seven points of a late eight-point lead before hanging on.
"We're tough, we're together and we'll find a way to win every time," Reneau said.
This is refreshing, enlightening and encouraging as the No. 12 Hoosiers (3-0) eye a quick turnaround with Sunday night's Hoosier Classic opener against Miami University (1-3) at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Winning on the road has been a challenge for IU the last half decade or so. Not any more, it seems.
"This is how we're different from the past," Jackson-Davis said. "A lot of teams I've been a part of, we would have folded in situations like that. That's a narrative we're trying to change. We finish games. That's what we really focused on."
Beyond that, Jackson-Davis said, winning on the road reflects the potential of a team favored to win the Big Ten.
"We had high expectations coming into the year. This was our first big test. It's really good for our team.
"I'm glad that the younger guys (Reneau and fellow freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino) got the experience in this game. I'm glad we won. This will only boost their confidence."
Entering the season, there was plenty of buzz about Jackson-Davis' perimeter game, especially from three-point range.
Buzz crashes against this reality: Jackson-Davis has yet to take a 3-pointer this year, but who cares when he averages career bests in scoring (22.0) and shooting (75.7%). In the last two games, he's made 22-of-26 shots.
On Friday night, Jackson-Davis was an inside beast with 30 points on 13-for-16 shooting, even with Xavier's imposing size and stop-him emphasis.
Musketeers coach Sean Miller credited Jackson-Davis's experience.
"It's really hard to double-team him," Miller said. "Maybe more difficult today than it would have been a year, two or three years ago.
"Because of that, you have to guard him one-on-one. The way he plays, he's almost as adept off the lane driving as he is in the low post. His efficiency, it's hard to overcome that."
Added Jackson-Davis: "The younger guys haven't played in a hostile environment, but I have. I took the load. I was willing to do whatever I needed to."
Victory came with lessons to learn.
Against Xavier, both Reneau and senior guard Xavier Johnson were hit with technical fouls for, in essence, looking at the Musketeers the wrong way after making big baskets. It comes as the NCAA tries to minimize anything that could be considered taunting.
Coach Mike Woodson said he addressed it with both players.
"I'm going to stay on them about that because that can be the difference in winning and losing. If you make a shot, you're supposed to make a shot. If you make a dunk or a layup, that's what you're supposed to do. So, you don't have to taunt and do all the unnecessary things that get us in trouble.
"That's just not professional to me."
Miami is led by first-year head coach Travis Steele, who was part of IU's coaching staff from 2006-08. The Redhawks have losses to Evansville, Georgia and Marshall. Guard Mekhi Lairy is the top player. He averages 16.5 points and 3.8 rebounds.
The Hoosier Classic will wrap up by Friday. IU will host Little Rock on Wednesday and Jackson State on Friday.
Players Mentioned
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