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'Playing Harder' Sparks Malik Reneau Improvement
1/19/2023 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Malik Reneau is figuring it out. He is. In these no-Race Thompson times, that's big.
The freshman forward's numbers over the last three games show progress, which could be critical if Indiana (11-6 overall, 2-4 in the Big Ten) is to sustain the momentum from Saturday's Wisconsin victory, if it is to win at surging Illinois (13-5, 4-3) on Thursday night, beat Michigan State (12-6, 4-3) on Sunday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and climb back into the conference race.
Reneau had six points and three rebounds in 14 minutes against Wisconsin. He had seven points and five rebounds in 12 minutes against Penn State. He had eight points and three rebounds in 24 minutes against Northwestern.
For the season, Reneau averages 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 54.7 percent from the field.
The reason for the improvement, coach Mike Woodson says, starts with this:
"He's playing harder."
Specifically, Woodson adds, "I thought the Wisconsin game is probably as hard as he's played all year. That's a big part of -- I think once he figures out how to play hard all the time, then basketball will start to come easy for him because he is talented, and he does a lot of good things on the offensive end."
Reneau also elevated his defensive play against Wisconsin. That, too, needs to be sustained.
"Defensively, he was trying to make a conscious effort to move his feet and do some of the things we've been asking him to do with some force," Woodson says.
"We're going to need him. He's such a talented kid."
Like any freshman, Reneau has battled inconsistency. Foul trouble and turnovers limited him to six minutes and zero points at Iowa. He's had a pair of games where he scored only two points, others where he wasn't much of a factor.
Thompson, a senior forward, offers encouragement.
"My main message is to stick with it," Thompson says. "Everybody knows he's a good player. He's a freshman. You'll go through growing pains when you're a freshman and you play big minutes in big games. Not every freshman gets that opportunity. He has it.
"I tell him to stay true to who you are and what was working for you in the past. Those shots will fall, and things will go your way."
Woodson also was encouraged by the play of center Logan Duncombe, who had one rebound and one steal in five minutes against Wisconsin.
"He gave us some position minutes," Woodson says. "When we play bigger teams, I've got to test Logan and Malik and see where they are."
Tests come as Thompson and guard Xavier Johnson remain out indefinitely with injuries.
Johnson's drive to return to action was noticeable during team warmups before the Wisconsin victory. As the Hoosiers jogged to the locker room, he stayed long enough to hit a three-pointer despite the boot on his surgically repaired foot.
Just because he can't play doesn't mean Johnson isn't growing his game.
"I think X sees a lot more now than he ever has," Woodson says. "By sitting (on the bench) watching just like I watch practice and games, he understands.
"Last week he said, 'I see what you mean, Coach. A lot of stuff you were getting on me about is not getting done.'
"You have a better view of it when you're (butt) is on the bench. In that regard, he's been great. He's been able to help (freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino) and some of the younger guys, but I need him back in uniform as quickly as possible."
Illinois has won four straight since a 13-point loss at Northwestern, beating Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan State and Minnesota, all by at least nine points.
The Illini also have non-conference victories over UCLA and Texas.
They are led by 6-6 guard Terrence Shannon, who averages 17.6 points, and 5.7 rebounds. He has 57 assists and 31 three-point baskets.
They have two other double-figure scorers -- 6-9, 225-pound forward Matthew Mayer (11.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 34 three-pointers) and 6-9, 270-pound forward Dain Dainja (10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, team-leading 27 blocks).
Illinois has three players with at least 20 blocks and seven players with at least 10 made three-point baskets. It plays an aggressive, fast-paced style that has forced 132 steals and generated plenty of fast-break opportunities.
Woodson has noticed.
"Their defense has picked up. They get the ball up and down the floor. They have got a nice mixture of guys.
"The big fella inside (Dainja) is playing well for them. He does a lot of nice things from a low-post standpoint, so Trayce (Jackson-Davis) has got to come ready to play.
"I like their team. They are well-coached and are playing at home. They are feeling pretty good about themselves."
Road wins remain a challenge. IU only has one in five opportunities, but it was a big one -- at Xavier, which has climbed to No. 8 in the polls.
In their last three road games, the Hoosiers have lost by 22, two and 19 points.
"I thought our last two road games (Iowa and Penn State) we got off to a decent start," Woodson says. "Even the Penn State game, I thought it was back and forth and eventually they just smacked us, and we didn't answer the bell.
"The main thing is staying with them and playing hard. That's the biggest key on the road."
Beyond that, Woodson adds, "You must defend and rebound. You can't gift them points. It's hard enough playing on the road, but if you throw the ball all over the gym and give them easy opportunities to score, it beats what your offense is all about."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Malik Reneau is figuring it out. He is. In these no-Race Thompson times, that's big.
The freshman forward's numbers over the last three games show progress, which could be critical if Indiana (11-6 overall, 2-4 in the Big Ten) is to sustain the momentum from Saturday's Wisconsin victory, if it is to win at surging Illinois (13-5, 4-3) on Thursday night, beat Michigan State (12-6, 4-3) on Sunday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and climb back into the conference race.
Reneau had six points and three rebounds in 14 minutes against Wisconsin. He had seven points and five rebounds in 12 minutes against Penn State. He had eight points and three rebounds in 24 minutes against Northwestern.
For the season, Reneau averages 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 54.7 percent from the field.
The reason for the improvement, coach Mike Woodson says, starts with this:
"He's playing harder."
Specifically, Woodson adds, "I thought the Wisconsin game is probably as hard as he's played all year. That's a big part of -- I think once he figures out how to play hard all the time, then basketball will start to come easy for him because he is talented, and he does a lot of good things on the offensive end."
Reneau also elevated his defensive play against Wisconsin. That, too, needs to be sustained.
"Defensively, he was trying to make a conscious effort to move his feet and do some of the things we've been asking him to do with some force," Woodson says.
"We're going to need him. He's such a talented kid."
Like any freshman, Reneau has battled inconsistency. Foul trouble and turnovers limited him to six minutes and zero points at Iowa. He's had a pair of games where he scored only two points, others where he wasn't much of a factor.
Thompson, a senior forward, offers encouragement.
"My main message is to stick with it," Thompson says. "Everybody knows he's a good player. He's a freshman. You'll go through growing pains when you're a freshman and you play big minutes in big games. Not every freshman gets that opportunity. He has it.
"I tell him to stay true to who you are and what was working for you in the past. Those shots will fall, and things will go your way."
Woodson also was encouraged by the play of center Logan Duncombe, who had one rebound and one steal in five minutes against Wisconsin.
"He gave us some position minutes," Woodson says. "When we play bigger teams, I've got to test Logan and Malik and see where they are."
Tests come as Thompson and guard Xavier Johnson remain out indefinitely with injuries.
Johnson's drive to return to action was noticeable during team warmups before the Wisconsin victory. As the Hoosiers jogged to the locker room, he stayed long enough to hit a three-pointer despite the boot on his surgically repaired foot.
Just because he can't play doesn't mean Johnson isn't growing his game.
"I think X sees a lot more now than he ever has," Woodson says. "By sitting (on the bench) watching just like I watch practice and games, he understands.
"Last week he said, 'I see what you mean, Coach. A lot of stuff you were getting on me about is not getting done.'
"You have a better view of it when you're (butt) is on the bench. In that regard, he's been great. He's been able to help (freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino) and some of the younger guys, but I need him back in uniform as quickly as possible."
Illinois has won four straight since a 13-point loss at Northwestern, beating Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan State and Minnesota, all by at least nine points.
The Illini also have non-conference victories over UCLA and Texas.
They are led by 6-6 guard Terrence Shannon, who averages 17.6 points, and 5.7 rebounds. He has 57 assists and 31 three-point baskets.
They have two other double-figure scorers -- 6-9, 225-pound forward Matthew Mayer (11.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 34 three-pointers) and 6-9, 270-pound forward Dain Dainja (10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, team-leading 27 blocks).
Illinois has three players with at least 20 blocks and seven players with at least 10 made three-point baskets. It plays an aggressive, fast-paced style that has forced 132 steals and generated plenty of fast-break opportunities.
Woodson has noticed.
"Their defense has picked up. They get the ball up and down the floor. They have got a nice mixture of guys.
"The big fella inside (Dainja) is playing well for them. He does a lot of nice things from a low-post standpoint, so Trayce (Jackson-Davis) has got to come ready to play.
"I like their team. They are well-coached and are playing at home. They are feeling pretty good about themselves."
Road wins remain a challenge. IU only has one in five opportunities, but it was a big one -- at Xavier, which has climbed to No. 8 in the polls.
In their last three road games, the Hoosiers have lost by 22, two and 19 points.
"I thought our last two road games (Iowa and Penn State) we got off to a decent start," Woodson says. "Even the Penn State game, I thought it was back and forth and eventually they just smacked us, and we didn't answer the bell.
"The main thing is staying with them and playing hard. That's the biggest key on the road."
Beyond that, Woodson adds, "You must defend and rebound. You can't gift them points. It's hard enough playing on the road, but if you throw the ball all over the gym and give them easy opportunities to score, it beats what your offense is all about."
Players Mentioned
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
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