Indiana University Athletics
Wednesday, January 22
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m.
Indiana University
at
Northwestern
‘Trust’ Finds Leal with Continued Key Role
1/22/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana basketball challenge continues – this time at Northwestern on Wednesday night -- and veteran guard Anthony Leal remains a significant key as starter or sub.
The statistics might not show it, the tough-minded play does.
Leal had three rebounds, one assist, one block, and zero points against Ohio State last Friday night, yet had a huge role in IU's 77-76 overtime victory, including a blocked shot against the Buckeyes' top scorer in the final second to preserve the win. It was his first start of the season.
Leal averages 2.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game, and if numbers don't lie, they don't tell the whole story.
"He's a senior," coach Mike Woodson says. "He puts the time in during practice. I trust him. That's a big part of it. That's not to say he makes every play you ask him to make, but when you put him in, you trust him that you're going to get winning plays. That's important.
"You've got to trust the players you put out there and they have to trust you. He's been that way since I've been here. I trust that when I throw him in there, he will give me something positive."
IU (14-5 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten) seeks a second straight positive road outcome by snapping a four-game losing streak to Northwestern (11-7, 2-5). It hasn't won in Evanston since 2021 in double overtime.
The victory at Ohio State provided a much-needed boost after consecutive losses to Iowa and Illinois. Strong practices, Woodson says, remain the key.
"During practices, we work. We had a couple of bad games, but before that, we had a nice five-game stretch where we played pretty good basketball, then we got smacked in the face a couple of games. We responded against Ohio State. Now we have to do it at Northwestern. They're playing some pretty good ball."
Forward Malik Reneau is close to returning after missing the last five games with an injury. He averages 14.1 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 60.3% from the field. IU also could have forward Bryson Tucker, who missed Friday's win at Ohio State. Woodson said both had limited practice work on Monday.
Reneau's return will impact forward Luke Goode, who has started in his absence. Goode averages 8.3 points and 2.7 rebounds. He's coming off a career-high 23 points in the Ohio State overtime victory. He's averaged 12.0 points and 3.4 rebounds as a starter. Woodson says he isn't sure if Goode will start or come off the bench when Renau returns.
"Goode has found his rhythm. The other night he was bigger than ever with the most points he's ever scored.
"He comes to work every day. He helps lead. He does everything you want in a player. You expect that. He's a senior. Did it at Illinois. You expect him to do it here. I'm pleased with how he's been playing."
Goode, who played on Big Ten title contenders at Illinois before transferring to IU, continues to share that winning experience with Hoosier teammates.
"I've taken it upon myself," he says. "I was fortunate to be on a couple of Big Ten teams that won at a high level in the past. and I'm trying to bring that winning mentality here."
Losses to Iowa and Illinois ratcheted up the urgency.
"We took a step back and said, 'Listen, we got a reality check, but we have to bounce back from it and do what we do as a team,'" Goode says. "We had a great two days of practice (before Ohio State). If we want our season to go the right way, we have to stay tough and stay together."
Northwestern is coming off an 80-76 overtime loss at No. 20 Michigan. Brooks Barnhizer led with 21 points and eight rebounds. It was his 10th 20-point game of the season. Nick Martinelli had 20 points. Jalen Leach had 19.
Martinelli leads the Wildcats in scoring (20.0 points) and is third in rebounding (5.3). Barnhizer is first in rebounding (9.3) and second in scoring (18.4). Leach averaged 13.7 points.
With 31 3-point baskets, guard Ty Berry is the top perimeter threat on a team that averages just 31.5% beyond the arc.
Under coach Chris Collins, Northwestern has a home overtime victory against Illinois. It also has beaten Maryland in overtime at home.
"They play hard," Woodson says. "Coach Collins pushes those guys to play hard. We've had close games with them but haven't been able to get over the top.
"I've told our guys, you can't go in there with a soft attitude and mind. They will force you to play hard. You have to meet that, meet that physicality. If you don't, it will be a long night. That's where the game will be won.
"We play hard at times, but I have to get us to play hard for 40 minutes consistently. When you go on the road, you have to do everything right. You can't turn it over. You have to rebound and make shots and win the 50-50 game. We'll see where we are (Wednesday) night."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana basketball challenge continues – this time at Northwestern on Wednesday night -- and veteran guard Anthony Leal remains a significant key as starter or sub.
The statistics might not show it, the tough-minded play does.
Leal had three rebounds, one assist, one block, and zero points against Ohio State last Friday night, yet had a huge role in IU's 77-76 overtime victory, including a blocked shot against the Buckeyes' top scorer in the final second to preserve the win. It was his first start of the season.
Leal averages 2.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game, and if numbers don't lie, they don't tell the whole story.
"He's a senior," coach Mike Woodson says. "He puts the time in during practice. I trust him. That's a big part of it. That's not to say he makes every play you ask him to make, but when you put him in, you trust him that you're going to get winning plays. That's important.
"You've got to trust the players you put out there and they have to trust you. He's been that way since I've been here. I trust that when I throw him in there, he will give me something positive."
IU (14-5 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten) seeks a second straight positive road outcome by snapping a four-game losing streak to Northwestern (11-7, 2-5). It hasn't won in Evanston since 2021 in double overtime.
The victory at Ohio State provided a much-needed boost after consecutive losses to Iowa and Illinois. Strong practices, Woodson says, remain the key.
"During practices, we work. We had a couple of bad games, but before that, we had a nice five-game stretch where we played pretty good basketball, then we got smacked in the face a couple of games. We responded against Ohio State. Now we have to do it at Northwestern. They're playing some pretty good ball."
Forward Malik Reneau is close to returning after missing the last five games with an injury. He averages 14.1 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 60.3% from the field. IU also could have forward Bryson Tucker, who missed Friday's win at Ohio State. Woodson said both had limited practice work on Monday.
Reneau's return will impact forward Luke Goode, who has started in his absence. Goode averages 8.3 points and 2.7 rebounds. He's coming off a career-high 23 points in the Ohio State overtime victory. He's averaged 12.0 points and 3.4 rebounds as a starter. Woodson says he isn't sure if Goode will start or come off the bench when Renau returns.
"Goode has found his rhythm. The other night he was bigger than ever with the most points he's ever scored.
"He comes to work every day. He helps lead. He does everything you want in a player. You expect that. He's a senior. Did it at Illinois. You expect him to do it here. I'm pleased with how he's been playing."
Goode, who played on Big Ten title contenders at Illinois before transferring to IU, continues to share that winning experience with Hoosier teammates.
"I've taken it upon myself," he says. "I was fortunate to be on a couple of Big Ten teams that won at a high level in the past. and I'm trying to bring that winning mentality here."
Losses to Iowa and Illinois ratcheted up the urgency.
"We took a step back and said, 'Listen, we got a reality check, but we have to bounce back from it and do what we do as a team,'" Goode says. "We had a great two days of practice (before Ohio State). If we want our season to go the right way, we have to stay tough and stay together."
Northwestern is coming off an 80-76 overtime loss at No. 20 Michigan. Brooks Barnhizer led with 21 points and eight rebounds. It was his 10th 20-point game of the season. Nick Martinelli had 20 points. Jalen Leach had 19.
Martinelli leads the Wildcats in scoring (20.0 points) and is third in rebounding (5.3). Barnhizer is first in rebounding (9.3) and second in scoring (18.4). Leach averaged 13.7 points.
With 31 3-point baskets, guard Ty Berry is the top perimeter threat on a team that averages just 31.5% beyond the arc.
Under coach Chris Collins, Northwestern has a home overtime victory against Illinois. It also has beaten Maryland in overtime at home.
"They play hard," Woodson says. "Coach Collins pushes those guys to play hard. We've had close games with them but haven't been able to get over the top.
"I've told our guys, you can't go in there with a soft attitude and mind. They will force you to play hard. You have to meet that, meet that physicality. If you don't, it will be a long night. That's where the game will be won.
"We play hard at times, but I have to get us to play hard for 40 minutes consistently. When you go on the road, you have to do everything right. You can't turn it over. You have to rebound and make shots and win the 50-50 game. We'll see where we are (Wednesday) night."
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