Reneau, Hoosiers Seek Illinois Sweep

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The road challenge is gone -- for a couple of days, anyway. The Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall advantage is back, and it is formidable (see the 13-1 home record).

Will that produce a rejuvenated offense for Saturday's game against Illinois?

That's the plan. The No. 14/15 Hoosiers (18-8 overall, 9-6 in the Big Ten) have scored 66, 62 and 62 points in their last three games, the last two on the road. They scored just 20 points in the first half of Wednesday night's loss at Northwestern.

IU went 2-1 in those games, dropping to third in the Big Ten standings behind Purdue and Northwestern.

Forward Trayce Jackson-Davis continues to crank out double-doubles about as often as most people breathe (46 and counting after totaling 23 points and 10 rebounds at Northwestern), but he needs offensive help.

Consider forward Malik Reneau, the talented freshman who understands overcoming inconsistency common to all first-year players starts by doing what you're told.

"It's being able to be coachable and listen to what the coaches have to say," he says. "Go on to the next play. You can't do anything after you've made a mistake. It's the next play. I think about going on to the next play."

That means going as hard as he can, harder than he thinks he can. Coach Mike Woodson continues pushing that point.

"It starts in in practice," Reneau says. "Coach Woodson has been getting on me for quite a while about playing hard. Focusing on practice, understanding the scout and being mentally prepared going into the game and going all out every time I step onto the court."

In the last two road games against Michigan and Northwestern, Reneau totaled three points and three rebounds. In the two road games before that, at Minnesota and at Maryland, he combined for 16 points and two rebounds.

Four of his six double-figure scoring games came at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, including twice getting his career high of 15.

For the season, he averages 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds, and pushes for more.

"It's being able to get extra shots before games," he says. "Work on my touch. Staying in the gym and being ready."

Reneau can basically play center or power forward and is fine with each.

"It's not that important," he says about having a specific position. "Wherever Coach Woodson wants to put me, whether it's a 5 to back up Trayce or a 4 to help out on other side or space the floor like Race (Thompson) does, I try to impact the game wherever I'm at on the court."

Impact includes defense. Sometimes it comes on the perimeter, necessary when facing versatile frontcourt players such as Michigan's Hunter Dickinson. Reneau says it starts with lateral movement.

"That's the key when they move away from the basket. You have to move your feet and give some distance, so you don't get blown past, and also be ready to put your hands up when they're ready to shoot."

Understanding the tendencies of the person you're guarding is another priority.

"It's knowing the speed difference," Reneau says. "If he's faster than me, give him space, but be mindful of the shot. No matter who you're guarding, you have to be locked in and be ready for the challenge."

Foul trouble has limited Reneau's playing time. He's fouled out of two games and picked up four fouls in eight others. Woodson has addressed it with him.

"One thing that keeps me off the court are the dumb fouls going after offensive rebounds," Reneau says. "That and trying to take the ball away. That's where I get silly fouls. Eliminate that will keep me in the game more."

Reneau had five points, six rebounds and four fouls in 14 minutes during last month's 80-65 victory at Illinois. He's looking for more in the rematch as the Hoosiers seek to bounce back from the Northwestern defeat. They still have won eight of their last 10 games.

"It's staying the course," he says. "Stay dedicated. Don't let the game fade away."

Jackson-Davis remains the Hoosier catalyst. He had 35 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks at Illinois. He continues his climb on IU's career lists. With 2,055 points, he needs six more to pass Woodson for fifth place in school history, 138 more to pass A.J. Guyton and Don Schlundt and move into third behind the unlikely reachable Steve Alford (2,438) and Calbert Cheaney (2,613).

Jackson-Davis blames himself for the Hoosiers' slow start at Northwestern that resulted in a 21-point deficit. Look for instant impact on Saturday.

Illinois (17-8, 8-6) is coming off a 93-81 loss at Penn State in which it gave up 12 three-point baskets.

The Illini are led by 6-6 guard Terrence Shannon Jr., who averages 17.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. He's totaled 75 assists, 42 three-pointers and 35 steals.

Matthew Mayer, a 6-9 forward, averages 11.7 points and 5.1 rebounds. He has a team-leading 51 three-pointers.

Other key contributors are 6-9 forward Dain Dainja (10.2 points, 6.0 rebounds), 6-2 guard Jayden Epps (10.0 points) and 6-10 forward Coleman Hawkins (9.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 79 assists).

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Players Mentioned

Trayce Jackson-Davis

Malik Reneau