Starter or Sub, Reneau Is Back to Game-Changing Form

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Malik Reneau once again looms large in Big Ten basketball impact, once again imposes his will on opponents.

Whether it comes in a sixth-man role, as it did during Tuesday night's upset win at No. 11/11 Michigan State, or as a starter, he's ready to do what needs to be done.

The next chance comes Friday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall when IU (15-10 overall, 6-8 in the Big Ten) hosts UCLA (18-8, 9-5) Friday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

After missing five games with a knee injury, Reneau is regaining the form that makes him one of the Big Ten's best players. Against Michigan State, the 6-9 junior forward was a second-half monster, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds in 29 minutes. That followed his 16-point, five-assist, three-rebound effort in 30 minutes against Michigan.

In the two games before that, against Purdue and Wisconsin as he worked back into playing shape and timing, Reneau had totaled nine points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes. For the season, he averages 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 53.2% from the floor.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo understands Reneau's value.

"He was their best player last year. They lost a lot when they lost Reneau. He is a very good player."

Adds IU coach Mike Woodson: "I told him we weren't going to start him. That probably didn't sit well with him, but he said, 'Coach, whatever you need me to do.' He played his (butt) off. That's all you can ask for. It's about the team."

Now that the Hoosiers have regained their winning ways, the goal is to keep it and send Woodson out on the highest of highs, Reneau says.

"Everybody knows what the situation is. Now we're coming together and playing as hard as we can every time we step on the court."

The Hoosiers are trying to build momentum for the Big Ten tourney and, perhaps, the NCAA Tournament.

"We have enough talent on this team," Woodson says. "I've got to do a better job these last six or seven games in getting these guys to believe in one another. That's what it's all about.

"They've had a tough go at it. I can't let them quit. We've got to keep working and keep pushing each other and see where it leads us."

The Hoosiers had lost 11 straight games to ranked teams before Tuesday's victory. They also had lost five straight overall and seven of their last eight games to jeopardize their postseason prospects.

"I give Indiana a lot of credit," Izzo says. "Everybody knows they've been through hell. I give Mike credit; he did a better job than I did."

Despite their struggles, Izzo adds, the Hoosiers have imposing talent.

"Indiana was picked second to Purdue (in the Big Ten) earlier in the year," he says. "They are a very good team. It is a very talented team."

Talent has been refined with the addition of a 2-3 zone, which normally goes against Woodson's man defense instincts. It worked in a smaller dose against Michigan and in a bigger way against Michigan State. Woodson says the decision to use it was a joint effort.

"I've got great coaches that work for me, that truly help with the 2-3 zone. We worked on it, and it paid off."

So did the strategy to pound the paint. With center Oumar Ballo also having a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds), IU shot 64 percent in the second half against one of the Big Ten's best defenses.

"We got eaten alive inside," Izzo says.

UCLA is coming off an 83-78 loss at Illinois on Tuesday night. It has a 3-4 road record.

The Bruins are led by forward Tyler Bilodeau, who averages 14.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. Swingman Eric Dailey Jr. averages 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds. Guard Sebastian Mack averages 10.0 points.

Six players average at least 7.5 points and 10 average at least 10.0 minutes per game.

They had won seven straight games until the Illinois loss.

UCLA and IU have split their 12 meetings. Their last meeting came in the 2007 NCAA tourney. The Bruins won 54-49.

As for the Hoosiers, Woodson emphasizes that, with six remaining regular-season games, so many things are still possible.

"(The players) know I won't be back. That's been tough on them. It's been tough on me. But we still have a lot of season left. I want these guys to believe. I want them to get in the (NCAA Tournament) and experience it; get in the Big Ten Tournament and see if they can win it.

"That's what it's all about. It's not just getting there. You want to win the Big Ten Tournament and see where that leads you. I've got to keep pushing them, keep them positive."

Starter or Sub, Reneau Is Back to Game-Changing Form

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Players Mentioned

Oumar Ballo

Malik Reneau

Indiana University Athletics