ROSEMONT, Sick. – Indiana ahead Malik Reneau averaged 15.4 factors, 6 rebounds and made 55.8% of his photographs final yr. Statistically, he is without doubt one of the greatest gamers returning to the Large Ten for the 2024-25 season.
But Reneau was not included in both the official or unofficial media All-Large Ten groups launched this week. Reneau simply missed being included on the media crew, however 10 gamers have been rated forward of him.
Ignored? Whether or not he was or wasn’t, the place Reneau ranks within the Large Ten pecking order is a matter for followers and media to debate.
Reneau’s teammates are extra involved concerning the Miami native realizing his potential each for himself and the Hoosiers. And evidently Reneau is dedicated to the identical mission.
Reneau was not on the Donald E. Stephens Conference Heart for Large Ten Basketball Media Days, however his Indiana teammates and coach Mike Woodson had loads to say about him.
“Malik is a particular expertise, and everybody has recognized that. It’s concerning the little issues with him. He is aware of that. That’s one factor he’s been targeted on within the offseason – fixing these little issues. As soon as he will get that down, the sky is the restrict for him,” Indiana guard Trey Galloway mentioned.
Woodson was impressed with the leap Reneau constructed from his freshman to his sophomore season. He’s hoping for the same leap once more.
“He’s bodily put himself in a greater place to play at a excessive stage. He made a helluva leap from his freshman yr to final yr. That was a pleasant job,” Woodson mentioned. “He didn’t play an entire lot of minutes (as a freshman) as a result of he couldn’t keep out of foul hassle and he needed to study to remain out of foul hassle and keep on the ground. His numbers grew, and we benefited from it.”
Woodson thinks one other step may very well be taken as a result of Reneau has labored on his physique within the offseason to raised benefit from his versatility. Reneau may very well be requested to unfold out a bit greater than he has up to now, provided that Indiana might need extra lineup flexibility to play totally different sorts of types.
“Bodily, he was dedicated to the exercise, his consuming habits; his physique has modified. His summer time play was fairly good and he’s taking part in fairly good basketball for us now. I hope it’s a pleasant carry over into when it actually begins,” Woodson mentioned.
Galloway mentioned a part of Reneau’s evolution was by means of his dedication to being held accountable.
“There’s a whole lot of instances the place he’d get drained and there could be lack of self-discipline. We’d see that so much,” Galloway mentioned.
“Even him simply saying he wished us to carry him accountable as effectively. That was one factor I noticed. It’s laborious for somebody to say that once you need to be higher. He mentioned, ‘Maintain me accountable and make me higher this yr.’ I feel we’ve completed job of that up to now, we’ve to proceed to do this, as a result of we’re going to want him within the largest manner,” Galloway added.
Myles Rice, Reneau’s new teammate, has been impressed together with his capacity and demeanor.
“He’s a particular participant. He’s acquired unbelievable contact across the rim. Once we want a bucket he can go get us one,” Rice famous. “He’s an outgoing man. He needed to heat as much as us slightly bit, however after that, he’s cracking jokes on a regular basis within the locker room and on the court docket. He’s at all times acquired a smile on his face. He’s at all times in good spirits.”
Rice, a fast research, has realized how he needs to strategy Reneau as a teammate and as a flooring chief for the Hoosiers within the coming season.
“Typically we’ve to reel him in slightly bit as a result of he’ll get slightly bit upset right here and there, however that’s regular,” Rice mentioned.
“That’s the half Trey talked about me being vocal as a degree guard, a frontrunner and a captain. In instances of battle and adversity, that he’ll be good, we’ll be good. He’s only a particular participant, and I’m comfortable to be taking part in alongside him,” Rice concluded.
