#1. Trayce Jackson-Davis & Malik Reneau combine for 35+ points and 18+ rebounds
After receiving nearly every major preseason award in the nation and in the Big Ten, Jackson-Davis opened up his final season in Bloomington with just 15 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block in 23 minutes. He was 6-for-11 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free throw line.
Off the bench, Malik Reneau provided a spark with 15 points, five rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in just 17 minutes. Though he turned the ball over three times and was in foul trouble (four), Reneau was the reason the Hoosiers started to pull away in the first half.
Combining the two in this opening night game, Jackson-Davis and Reneau had 30 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks total. That’s a heck of a game for a starter-backup duo, especially when the backup is a four-star freshman.
Bethune-Cookman’s only size in the starting lineup is their 6-foot-10 center, Dylan Robertson, who will be matched up with Jackson-Davis when out on the court at the same time. Filip Rebaca (Iowa’s big man) managed 11 points and 10 rebounds against Robertson in the first game of the season. I have a feeling TJD will do just fine.
Reneau will be dealing with 7-foot center off the bench, Elijah Hulsewe, which in all honesty, doesn’t seem like it will be too big of a problem for the talented and skilled freshman. Reneau did more than just put his back to the basket and post smaller guys up.
Expect a big game from Jackson-Davis and Reneau as they combine for at least 35 points and 18 rebounds in the second game of the season.